ARUA Early-Career Research Fellowships 2026

  • Start Date:

  • Deadline:

  • Agency:
    Africa Research Universities Alliance (ARUA)

The Office of Grants and Research (OGR), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), wishes to inform the university community of the ARUA Early-Career Research Fellowship Program, supported by the Mastercard Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. This programme aims to fund up to 42 early-career researchers to conduct globally competitive research at the host and affiliated institutions of ARUA’s 13 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and 22 Africa-Europe Clusters of Excellence (CoREs).

Programme Highlights

  • Funder: African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), Mastercard Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York

  • Number of Fellowships: Up to 42

  • Fellowship Duration: 6 months

  • Fellowship Periods:

    • Option 1: March – August 2026 (Application Deadline: 22 January 2026)

    • Option 2: September 2026 – February 2027 (Application Deadline: 15 July 2026)

  • Priority: At least 70% of fellowships are reserved for female candidates

  • Age Limit: Applicants must be 35 years or younger at the time of application

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be African nationals with a PhD in a discipline relevant to the thematic area of the CoE or CoRE.

  • PhD completion must be within the last 5 years.

  • Must be early-career faculty or researchers at an ARUA university; candidates from non-ARUA universities are eligible in limited cases.

  • Female postdoctoral fellows may be considered in exceptional cases.

  • Applicants must have a competitive research track record, ongoing projects relevant to the CoE/CoRE, and readily available data to accomplish fellowship objectives.

  • Candidates must be able to spend 6 months away from their home institution and return upon completion.

Fellowship Focus and Responsibilities
The fellowship supports early-career researchers in conducting high-quality research aligned with the objectives of the host CoE or CoRE, fostering the development of a strong international research profile and scholarly excellence.

Selection Criteria

  • Academic excellence, research productivity, and relevant experience

  • Alignment of research focus with the host CoE or CoRE’s objectives

  • Competitive track record and potential to develop a strong international standing

  • Selection will be conducted by the Director or Co-lead of the relevant CoE/CoRE in consultation with the host institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor

 

  • Applications must be submitted via the ARUA online portal: Early-Career Research Fellowships

  • The fellowship is highly competitive, with selection based on excellence, relevance, and research fit.

For more info: https://arua.org/early-career-research-fellowships

This programme provides a unique opportunity for early-career African researchers, especially women, to strengthen their research profile, collaborate internationally, and contribute to cutting-edge projects at the continent’s leading research centres.