contract: Contract
location: New York
apply-url: https://arua.org/early-career-research-fellowships/
The African Research Universities Alliance is launching an Early-Career Research Fellowship program with support from the Mastercard Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The program aims to enhance the capacity of early-career researchers at African universities. The fellowships will fund research at ARUA's Centres of Excellence and Africa-Europe Clusters of Excellence.
Overview
The initiative will fund up to forty-two early-career researchers to conduct globally competitive research at the host and affiliated institutions of ARUA’s thirteen Centres of Excellence and the twenty-two Africa-Europe Clusters of Excellence. Each fellowship will have a duration of six months, to be undertaken between March 2026 and February 2027.
There will be only two commencement dates for the awards: March 2026 and September 2026. Candidates may select their preferred fellowship period as option 1, which runs from March to August 2026, or option 2, which runs from September 2026 to February 2027.
The program aims to provide early-career researchers with time away from teaching duties at their home institutions to collaborate with highly experienced and distinguished researchers at ARUA CoEs or the Africa-Europe CoREs.
Responsibilities
- The initiative will fund up to forty-two early-career researchers to conduct globally competitive research at the host and affiliated institutions of ARUA’s thirteen Centres of Excellence and the twenty-two Africa-Europe Clusters of Excellence
- Each fellowship will have a duration of six months, to be undertaken between March 2026 and February 2027
- There will be only two commencement dates for the awards: March 2026 and September 2026
Eligibility
- Eligible candidates from non-ARUA Universities can apply
- 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
Benefits
- Successful applicants will receive a stipend of US$2,000, a modest payment for accommodation, and travel expenses
How to Apply
To apply, candidates should visit the official website and submit their application by the deadline. The deadline for application for option 1 is 22nd January 2026, and the deadline for application for option 2 is 15th July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for applying to option 1 of the Early-Career Research Fellowship program?
The deadline for application for option 1 is 22nd January 2026. Candidates should submit their application by this date to be considered for the fellowship. The application portal can be accessed via the official website.
How long does each fellowship last and when can they be undertaken?
Each fellowship will have a duration of six months, to be undertaken between March 2026 and February 2027. There are two commencement dates for the awards: March 2026 and September 2026.
What are the options for the fellowship period and when do they run?
Candidates may select their preferred fellowship period as option 1, which runs from March to August 2026, or option 2, which runs from September 2026 to February 2027. These are the only two options available for the fellowship.
Where can candidates apply for the Early-Career Research Fellowship program?
To apply, candidates should visit the official website at https://arua.org/early-career-research-fellowships/. They can submit their application by the deadline through this website.
How many early-career researchers will be funded under this program?
The initiative will fund up to forty-two early-career researchers to conduct globally competitive research at the host and affiliated institutions of ARUA’s thirteen Centres of Excellence and the twenty-two Africa-Europe Clusters of Excellence.
What is the location of the fellowship program?
The location of the fellowship program is New York, and the contract type is a contract.