ARUA Early-Career Research Fellowship Programme 2026–2027: Apply Now! @African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA)

Overview

The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) is offering an Early-Career Research Fellowship Programme, supported by the Mastercard Foundation and Carnegie Corporation of New York. This fellowship aims to strengthen research capacity across Africa and enhance global research competitiveness by supporting up to forty-two early-career researchers for a six-month placement.

Benefits

This is a six-month, fully supported research placement. A minimum of 70% of the fellowships are reserved for female researchers.

Eligibility

• Early-career researcher with a completed PhD.
• No older than 35 years at the time of application.
• Affiliated with or conducting research relevant to one of ARUA’s Centres of Excellence (CoEs) or Africa–Europe Clusters of Research Excellence (CoREs).
• Demonstrate strong research potential and alignment with the selected research theme.
• Available to commit fully to the six-month fellowship period.

Fellowship Duration and Commencement Options

The fellowship runs for six months and must be completed between March 2026 and February 2027. Applicants can choose between two intake options:

• Option 1: March 2026 – August 2026
• Option 2: September 2026 – February 2027

Application deadline: 15 July 2026

Research Focus Areas

Fellows will conduct research aligned with the thematic priorities of ARUA’s Centres of Excellence and Africa–Europe Clusters of Excellence, covering areas such as climate change, public health, governance, data science, and energy.

Application Requirements

Submit the following documents in Word or PDF format:

• Cover letter
• Full academic CV
• Institutional letter of support
• Evidence of PhD award
• Brief research concept note
• Two academic writing samples
• Biodata page of a valid passport
• Contact details for two academic referees

How to Apply

Visit the official website to apply.