African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) is currently accepting applications for its Early-Career Research Fellowship Program. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About ARUA Early-Career Research Fellowship Program
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.
Benefits of ARUA Early-Career Research Fellowship Program
- 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).
- 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.
ARUA Early-Career Research Fellowship Program Requirements
Applicants must:
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Be African nationals
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Hold a PhD in a relevant field
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Have no more than 5 years of post-PhD experience
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Be 35 years or younger at the time of application
Institutional Requirements
Applicants must:
Additional Requirements
Applicants must:
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Be actively engaged in an ongoing research project
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Align with an ARUA Centre or Cluster
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Commit to 6 months at a host institution
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Return to their home institution after completion
Application Date and Process
To apply for this research fellowship, please 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 (see section 3). 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. Please 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
Application Deadline
15 July, 2026
Opportunity Application
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ARUA Early-Career Research Fellowship Program
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