About

Overview

The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), with support from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, invites applications for its Pilot Mid-Career Research Fellowships 2026–2027.

The programme will support up to 10 mid-career academics to undertake a six-month research-intensive sabbatical placement at selected research-intensive institutions, including ARUA’s 13 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and 22 Africa–Europe Clusters of Research Excellence (CoREs).

The fellowships aim to strengthen research leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration and the production of high-impact scholarly and policy-relevant research.

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship targets academics at Associate Professor level who are in full-time employment at an ARUA university and have a demonstrated post-PhD or equivalent research track record.

Applicants must demonstrate:

• A strong research and publication record aligned with the proposed host’s research focus.
• Previous or ongoing collaborative research, preferably across institutions or countries.
• A feasible six-month research plan with clearly defined outputs.
• Institutional support for a six-month leave or sabbatical and subsequent return to their home university.

Associate Professors who have recently completed terms as Dean, Director, Head of Department or Head of Centre are encouraged to apply. Women and applicants from historically under-represented regions within the ARUA network are also strongly encouraged to apply.

Research Areas

Proposed research should align with the priorities of the selected host institution, CoE or CoRE. Areas covered include:

• Public Health – infectious diseases, multimorbidity, genomics, pandemic preparedness, health and gender, migration and health.
• Green Transition – climate adaptation and mitigation, water and land management, renewable energy and conservation.
• Innovation and Technology – AI, data science, sustainable food systems, creative economies, engineering and mathematics.
• Capacities for Sciences – peace and conflict research, inequality and poverty, and the politics of sustainable development.

Fellowship Package

Selected fellows will receive:

• A six-month research residency.
• Return economy-class airfare between the home and host institutions.
• USD 2,500 monthly stipend for living expenses, local transport and health insurance.
• USD 750 monthly accommodation allowance.
• A USD 3,500 one-time research grant for eligible research expenses.
• Office space and access to relevant host-institution facilities and resources.

Expected Activities

During the fellowship, fellows are expected to undertake a defined research project, collaborate across institutions, contribute to joint publications and proposal development, mentor early-career researchers, participate in training and knowledge exchange, and undertake public engagement and knowledge-translation activities.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

1. Cover Letter – maximum 2 pages, explaining the applicant’s motivation, research trajectory, professional development objectives and proposed host CoE/CoRE, where applicable.
2. Curriculum Vitae – maximum 10 pages, including academic appointments, research and teaching experience, grants, key outputs and two referees.
3. Letter of Support from the Home Institution, confirming institutional endorsement, leave arrangements and return following the fellowship.
4. Concept Note – maximum 2,500 words, covering the research problem, objectives, methodology, expected outputs, feasibility and alignment with the proposed host.
5. Passport Biodata Page – scanned copy of a valid passport.

Applicants interested in placement at an ARUA CoE or Africa–Europe CoRE are encouraged to engage with their preferred host in advance.

Fellowship Period

Placements will take place between September 2026 and August 2028, with each selected fellow undertaking a six-month residency.