Application Deadline: 15th July 2026
Applications are currently open for the 2026 African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Early-Career Research Fellowship program. This prestigious initiative, supported by the Mastercard Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, aims to fund up to forty-two (42) promising early-career researchers. Selected fellows will have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge, internationally competitive research hosted at ARUA’s thirteen (13) Centres of Excellence (CoEs) as well as the twenty-two (22) Africa-Europe Clusters of Excellence (CoREs).
The fellowship spans a period of six months and is scheduled to take place between March 2026 and February 2027. Candidates have the option to choose one of two starting periods for their fellowship: either March 2026 or September 2026. The first option covers March through August 2026.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be African nationals holding a PhD in a discipline or sub-discipline closely aligned with the thematic focus of the selected Centre of Excellence or Africa-Europe Cluster of Excellence.
- The candidate should have completed their PhD within the last five years.
- Applicants are expected to be early-career academics or researchers affiliated with an ARUA member university. However, those from non-ARUA institutions are also eligible to apply.
- Female postdoctoral fellows may be considered under specific, limited circumstances.
- Applicants must be under the age of 35 at the time of application.
- A strong and competitive research track record relevant to the fellowship opportunity is essential, along with a genuine motivation to develop a robust international research profile.
- Fellows need to be available for a six-month period away from their home institution and must commit to returning afterward.
- The research project must be linked to an ongoing study at the chosen CoE or CoRE, with accessible data ready for use to fulfill the fellowship’s main objectives.
- Women are especially encouraged to apply, with a target of awarding at least 70% of the fellowships to female researchers.
Fellowship Benefits
Successful candidates will enter into a six-month contract with ARUA. The fellowship package includes:
- A monthly stipend of US$2,000 to support living expenses.
- A modest accommodation allowance.
- Travel expenses covering a return flight to the host institution.
How to Apply
To submit an application for this fellowship, candidates must provide the following documents:
- Cover Letter: This should detail the applicant’s motivation for applying, how they intend to meet the fellowship’s roles and responsibilities (refer to section 3 of the official guidelines), and include a summary of relevant experience. Applicants must specify the exact ARUA Centre of Excellence or Africa-Europe Cluster of Excellence to which they are applying. If the applicant has a prior relationship with the host institution (e.g., previous visits as a student or postdoc), the cover letter should explain how the fellowship will build on that connection. Candidates may also propose potential supervisors they have contacted.
- Applicants who require a visa to visit the host or affiliated institution should outline the visa requirements and the expected processing duration.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): This should include personal details like date of birth, passport number, country of origin, and citizenship. It should also contain educational qualifications, doctoral degree details, research outputs, descriptions of individual contributions to joint publications, and contact information for two referees.
- Referee Reports: Shortlisted candidates must arrange for referees (who should not be from the proposed host CoE or CoRE) to submit assessments of their suitability for the fellowship.
- Letter of Support: A formal endorsement from the applicant’s home or permanent institution is required, indicating the candidate’s eligibility and confirming their intention to return after the fellowship.
- Proof of PhD Award: Evidence confirming the award of the doctoral degree.
- Concept Note: A concise proposal (maximum 1,500 words, including references) describing the planned research project. The project must be feasible within the six-month fellowship period and align with the goals of the host CoE or CoRE. Applicants with access to the necessary data or materials supporting their research will be given preference.
- Academic Writing Samples: Two published works such as peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, conference papers, or policy briefs should be submitted. These must not be chapters from the doctoral thesis. For jointly authored works, the applicant should clarify their contribution.
- Passport Biodata Page: A copy of the biodata page of a valid passport.
For more comprehensive details and to apply, prospective candidates should Visit the Official Webpage of the ARUA Early-Career Research Fellowship program.
