Colombia's Tatiana Calderon will be Sauber's development driver in Formula 1 this year. The 23-year-old will race in GP3 for a second season in 2017.
Team principal Monisha Kaltenborn said Sauber could give Calderon "a professional platform to develop her racing knowledge and skills".
Calderon said: "I am grateful to be working with such an established Formula 1 team and to benefit from its long experience. I look forward to working with the team and learning as much as I can. It is a step closer to my dream - one day competing in Formula 1."
The deal means Calderon, who finished 21st in the GP3 feeder category last year, will spend time in Sauber's simulator and with the team at races.