Call for ARUA Early Career Research Fellowships 2026 at Africa is open now!!!
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.
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The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) is a network of leading universities from different African countries with different historical backgrounds but with a common vision. This vision is to make African researchers and institutions globally competitive while contributing significantly to the generation of knowledge for the socio-economic transformation of the continent. The network, right from inception, was intended to be different from any other regional university network in Africa. The difference was to come largely from the approach to be employed, namely bringing together a number of peer African institutions that were willing to work together by pooling their limited resources to generate a critical mass that could more effectively support their limited but growing numbers of researchers. Underlying the approach was the conviction that they could leverage their resources effectively for additional resources from outside. ARUA is currently pursuing this vision through its CoEs and CoREs that vary across various science and non-science disciplines.
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Location:
AfricaBenefits
- 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). Please 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.
Eligibilities
- 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 (see section 3)
- Eligible women are strongly encouraged to apply. At least 70% of the fellowships will be awarded to female candidates.
Application 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: January 22, 2026 (19 Days Remaining)
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