ARUA Early-Career Research Fellowships Cohort 2 2026 – African Research Universities Alliance

Fellowship Description

The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Early-Career Research Fellowship is a prestigious, fully funded program designed to empower early-career researchers at African universities. With support from the Mastercard Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, this initiative will fund up to forty-two (42) early-career researchers to conduct globally competitive research at ARUA's thirteen (13) Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and twenty-two (22) Africa-Europe Clusters of Excellence (CoREs).

Each fellowship has a duration of six months, to be undertaken between March 2026 and February 2027. The program aims to enhance the capacity of early-career researchers by providing them with time away from teaching duties at their home institutions to collaborate with highly experienced and distinguished researchers at ARUA's research centres.

At least 70% of the fellowships are reserved for female candidates, and applicants must be no older than 35 years at the time of application. This initiative is part of ARUA's vision to make African researchers and institutions globally competitive while contributing significantly to the generation of knowledge for the socio-economic transformation of the continent.

Fellowship Location

The fellowship is tenable at one of ARUA's 13 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) or 22 Africa-Europe Clusters of Excellence (CoREs) hosted by ARUA member universities across Africa. Fellows are expected to stay at the host institution for the duration of the six-month fellowship. Host universities are located in various African countries, including South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, and others.

Application Deadlines

There are two fellowship periods with separate application deadlines:

Host Institutions

ARUA Centres of Excellence (CoEs): Hosted at ARUA member universities across Africa, including but not limited to:

• University of Cape Town (South Africa)
• University of Ghana (Ghana)
• University of Nairobi (Kenya)
• University of Ibadan (Nigeria)
• Makerere University (Uganda)
• University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)
• University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
• And other ARUA partner institutions

Africa-Europe Clusters of Excellence (CoREs): Joint initiatives with The Guild of European Research Universities, hosted at African partner institutions.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: Early-Career Research Fellowship (for PhD holders within 5 years of completing their doctorate).

Fields of study – ARUA CoEs:

• Natural Sciences: Water, Energy, Non-Communicable Diseases, Materials, Energy & Nanotechnology, Climate and Development, Sustainable Food Systems
• Humanities and Social Sciences: Post-Conflict Societies, Good Governance, Inequality Research, Migration and Mobility, Notions of Identity in Africa, Unemployment & Skills Development, Urbanization and Habitable Cities

Africa-Europe CoREs (22 clusters across four thematic areas):

• Public Health: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Genomics, Pandemics, Migration and Health
• Green Transition: Climate Change Adaptation, Water Management, Renewable Energy, Conservation
• Innovation & Technology: AI & Data Science, Sustainable Food Systems, Creative Economies, Engineering
• Capacities for Science: Peace Research, Inequalities, Politics of Sustainable Development

Target Group

African nationals who hold a PhD and are within 5 years of completing their doctorate. The fellowship is open to early-career researchers from ARUA member universities and non-ARUA universities. At least 70% of positions are reserved for female candidates. Applicants must be no older than 35 years at the time of application.

Fellowship Duration & Amount

Duration: 6 months (residential fellowship).

Remuneration and support:

• Monthly stipend: US$2,000 per month
• Accommodation support: Modest payment for accommodation
• Travel support: Return ticket to the host institution
• Additional support for eligible women: Adjustment assistance (e.g., for childcare) where needed
• Office space: Provided by the host CoE or CoRE

Fellowship roles include:

• Working with researchers at the CoE or CoRE under the guidance of a mentor
• Writing and publishing at least one academic paper in a high-impact journal (Scopus or Web of Science indexed)
• Producing an accompanying policy brief or blog post
• Delivering at least two presentations and participating in technical workshops
• Assisting in creating new partnerships and disseminating research findings

Fellowship Eligibility

Essential criteria:

• Nationality: African national.
• PhD: Hold a PhD in a discipline/sub-discipline related to the thematic area of the CoE or CoRE.
• Career stage: Within 5 years of completing the PhD.
• Age: Not more than 35 years old at the time of applying.
• Employment: Young faculty (or research) member at an ARUA university. Eligible candidates from non-ARUA universities can also apply.
• Availability: Must be available to spend 6 months away from their home university and return to their home institution.
• Research: Working on an ongoing project related to the CoE or CoRE with readily available data to accomplish the fellowship roles.
• Track record: Highly competitive track record relevant to the opportunity and willingness to develop international research reputation.
• Female postdoctoral fellows: Will be considered in limited cases.
• Gender priority: Eligible women are strongly encouraged to apply. At least 70% of fellowships will be awarded to female candidates.

Application Procedure

1. Identify the right CoE or CoRE – Visit the ARUA website and the websites of the 13 Centres of Excellence and 22 Clusters of Excellence to familiarise yourself with their ongoing research projects. Select the CoE or CoRE that best aligns with your research.
2. Contact potential supervisors (optional but recommended) – You may suggest potential supervisors whom you may have already contacted. This can strengthen your application.
3. Prepare required documents – Gather the following:
   • Cover letter – outlining your reasons for applying, how you will achieve the fellowship roles, your experience in the relevant field, and how you meet the eligibility criteria. Specify the particular CoE or CoRE you are applying to. If you have previously spent time there, include a motivation. Outline visa requirements if applicable.
   • Full CV – including date of birth, passport number, country of origin, citizenship, doctoral degree details, qualifications, research output, description of your contribution in jointly authored publications, and details of two referees.
   • Letter of Support – from your permanent/home institution, indicating suitability and confirming that you will return.
   • Evidence of PhD Award – copy of your PhD certificate.
   • Brief Concept Note – maximum 1,500 words (including references) outlining your proposed research project/plan. Must be feasible within 6 months and aligned with the host CoE/CoRE. Candidates with existing data have a significant advantage.
   • Two academic writing samples – peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, conference proceedings, or policy briefs (not a chapter from your doctoral thesis). For jointly authored pieces, describe your contribution.
   • Biodata page of a valid passport.
4. Submit online application – Applications must be submitted through the ARUA online submission portal at https://arua.org/early-career-research-fellowships/.
5. Selection process – Selection is conducted by the Director or Co-lead of the relevant CoE or CoRE, in consultation with the host institution's Deputy Vice-Chancellor. The process is highly competitive, based on academic excellence, research experience, productivity, and fit with the host CoE/CoRE.
6. Referee reports – For shortlisted applicants, referees will be asked to submit a brief report assessing suitability. Referees should not be based at the proposed host CoE or CoRE.
7. Notification – Successful candidates receive a fellowship offer from ARUA.

Important notes: The fellowship is highly competitive and based on excellence and fit. At least 70% of fellowships are reserved for female candidates. Applications must be submitted through the ARUA online portal. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Official Website & Application Link

ARUA Early-Career Research Fellowships – Official Page

ARUA Main Website: https://arua.org

ARUA Centres of Excellence: Visit the ARUA website for detailed information on each CoE and CoRE.