Deadline: July 15, 2026
Applications are open for the ARUA Early-career Research Fellowships 2026. The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), with support from the Mastercard Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, is launching this Early-Career Research Fellowship program. The initiative will fund up to forty-two (42) early-career researchers to conduct globally competitive research at the host and affiliated institutions of ARUA’s thirteen (13) Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and the twenty-two (22) Africa-Europe Clusters of Excellence (CoREs).
The program aims to enhance the capacity of early-career researchers at African universities by providing them 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. Each CoE or CoRE is expected to host research fellows from countries other than its own.
Responsibilities
The key roles and responsibilities of the research fellow are as follows:
- Assist in disseminating research findings of the CoE or CoRE.
- Work with other researchers to undertake various relevant studies at the CoE or CoRE under the guidance of an assigned mentor.
- Write and publish a minimum of one (1) academic paper (a jointly authored paper where the fellow is the first/lead author can be acceptable) in a high-impact journal (at least, indexed in Scopus or Web of Science), with an accompanying policy brief or blog post on the appropriate platforms of the respective host institution.
- Deliver at least two (2) presentations and participate in technical workshops with fellow researchers and other stakeholders.
- Assist in creating and bolstering new partnerships between the respective CoE or CoRE and other relevant bodies.
Benefits
- Successful candidates will be contracted by ARUA for 6 months. The research fellowship shall provide a monthly stipend of US$2,000, a modest payment for accommodation, and travel support (return ticket to host institution). Note that there are no relocation expenses.
- Additional financial support is available for eligible women who may require adjustment assistance (e.g., for childcare). The host CoE will provide the research fellow with office space.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be African nationals who have a PhD in a discipline/sub-discipline related to the thematic area of the Centre of Excellence or Cluster of Research Excellence.
- Applicants must be within 5 years of completing their PhD.
- Applicants should be young faculty (or research) members at an ARUA university. Eligible candidates from non-ARUA Universities can apply.
- Female postdoctoral fellows will be considered in limited cases.
- The applicant should not be more than 35 years old at the time of applying.
- Applicants should have a highly competitive track record relevant to the opportunity and be willing to develop a strong international standing and research reputation.
- Applicants must be available to spend 6 months away from their home university and be able to return to their home institution.
- Applicant must be working on an ongoing project related to the CoE or CoRE and have readily available data to accomplish the main roles and responsibilities.
- Eligible women are strongly encouraged to apply. At least 70% of the fellowships will be awarded to female candidates.
Application
To apply for this research fellowship, submit the following documents:
- Cover letter outlining your reasons for applying for the position and details of how you will achieve the roles and responsibilities of the position. This should include an overview of your experience in the relevant field and how you meet the eligibility criteria. The candidate must specify the particular ARUA CoE or Africa-Europe CoRE to which they are applying. If an applicant has previously spent time at the proposed CoE or CoRE (e.g., as a student, postdoc, etc.), the cover letter should include a motivation for how this visit will build on the pre-existing relationship. Applicants may also suggest potential supervisors whom they may have already contacted. Applicants should also outline if they require a visa to visit the host or an affiliated institution of the CoE or CoRE and, if so, what is required and the estimated processing time.
- Full CV, including applicant details (e.g., date of birth, passport number, country of origin, citizenship, etc.), particulars of doctoral degree, qualifications obtained, research output, a description of the applicant’s contribution in jointly authored publications, and details of two referees. In the case of shortlisted applicants, applicants will be required to ask the referees to submit a brief report assessing the applicant’s suitability for the fellowship. Referees should not be based at the proposed host CoE or CoRE.
- A Letter of Support from the applicant’s permanent/home institution, including an indication of suitability for the position and that the candidate will return to the home institution.
- Evidence of the Award of PhD.
- A Brief Concept Note (max. 1,500 words, including references) outlining your proposed research project/plan. Note that the proposed research project/plan should be feasible within the fellowship period (6 months) and well aligned to the objectives of the host CoE and CoRE. Candidates who can demonstrate that they possess the necessary data or research materials to support their proposed research will have a significant advantage.
- Two (2) academic writing such as peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, conference proceedings, policy brief etc. This should not be a chapter from your doctoral thesis. In the case of a jointly authored piece, you should describe your contribution.
- The biodata page of a valid passport
For more information, visit ARUA Early-career Research Fellowships.
