The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), with support from the Mastercard Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, is offering Early-Career Research Fellowships to fund up to 42 early-career researchers across Africa. The programme enables researchers to conduct globally competitive research at ARUA’s 13 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and 22 Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence (CoREs), which span disciplines including Climate and Development, Energy, Water, Sustainable Food Systems, Materials and Nanotechnology, Non-Communicable Diseases, Post-Conflict Societies, Governance, Inequality, Migration, Urbanisation, Nature-Based Solutions, Renewable Energy, Artificial Intelligence, and more.
Each fellowship lasts 6 months and must be conducted at a host ARUA institution different from the fellow’s home university. There are two intake periods: Option 1 runs from March to August 2026 (deadline 22 January 2026) and Option 2 runs from September 2026 to February 2027 (deadline 15 July 2026). Fellows are expected to publish at least one academic paper in a high-impact journal (Scopus or Web of Science indexed), deliver at least two presentations, and contribute to building partnerships for their host CoE or CoRE.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be an African national with a PhD in a discipline related to the thematic area of the chosen CoE or CoRE.
- Must be within 5 years of completing their PhD at time of application.
- Must be 35 years old or younger at time of application.
- Must be a young faculty or research member at an ARUA university (candidates from non-ARUA universities may also apply).
- Must be available to spend 6 months away from their home institution and commit to returning afterwards.
- Must be working on an ongoing project related to the CoE or CoRE, with data readily available.
- Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply — at least 70% of fellowships are reserved for women.
Benefits
- Monthly stipend of US$2,000 for 6 months.
- Accommodation allowance at host institution.
- Return travel ticket to host institution.
- Additional financial support for eligible women who need childcare assistance.
- Office space provided by the host CoE.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct research related to an ongoing project at the host CoE or CoRE under a mentor.
- Write and publish a minimum of one peer-reviewed academic paper (Scopus or Web of Science indexed), as first/lead author.
- Produce a policy brief or blog post on the research findings.
- Deliver at least two presentations at technical workshops.
- Assist in building new partnerships for the host CoE or CoRE.
- Contribute to disseminating research findings of the Centre or Cluster.
Required Documents:
- Cover letter — outlining motivation, relevant experience, how you meet criteria, the specific CoE or CoRE you are applying to, potential supervisors if already contacted, and visa requirements.
- Full CV — including date of birth, passport number, country of origin, citizenship, doctoral degree details, research outputs, and two referee contact details.
- Letter of Support from your permanent/home institution confirming suitability and that you will return after the fellowship.
- Evidence of PhD award.
- Brief Concept Note (maximum 1,500 words including references) outlining your proposed research plan, feasible within 6 months and aligned to the host CoE or CoRE objectives.
- Two academic writing samples (peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, conference papers, or policy briefs — not chapters from your doctoral thesis).
- Biodata page of a valid passport.
