The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), supported by the Mastercard Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, is now accepting applications for its Early-Career Research Fellowships 2026 – Cohort 2. Up to 42 fully funded fellowship positions are available for early-career researchers at African universities, with a priority of at least 70% for female candidates.
Key Details
- Fellowship Period: September 2026 – February 2027 (6 months)
- Deadline: 15 July 2026
- Number of Positions: Up to 42
- Host Institutions: ARUA Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and Africa-Europe Clusters of Excellence (CoREs) across 13 African universities
- Benefits: Fully funded — includes research allowance, living stipend, and travel support (check official guidelines for full breakdown)
- Gender Priority: At least 70% of fellowships reserved for female candidates
- Age Limit: Maximum 35 years at time of application
Eligibility
- Must have completed a PhD within the last 5 years
- Must be a young faculty or research member at an ARUA member university
- Open to researchers in any field aligned with ARUA Centre of Excellence themes (science, technology, engineering, health, environment, agriculture, social sciences)
How to Apply
- Applications are submitted directly through ARUA’s online portal
- Required documents typically include a research proposal, CV, and institutional support letter
- Visit the official ARUA fellowship page for the application portal and detailed guidelines
This is a rare and transformative opportunity for early-career African researchers to dedicate six months to focused research collaboration at world-class African institutions. Don’t miss the 15 July 2026 deadline — submit your application well in advance to allow time for institutional endorsement.
Always verify deadlines and details on the official ARUA website before applying.