Why should you care about fellowship programs as an African-born scholar?
Imagine a world where your passion for learning meets a gateway to transformative experiences. Pure bliss, right?
That’s precisely what fellowship programs offer to African-born scholars. Many of the programs give you a golden ticket to dive headfirst into a realm of specialized learning and growth with no cost attached. Yes, fellowships are usually FREE.
Now, picture this: five remarkable fellowship programs tailored for all the bright minds of African descent. These aren’t just opportunities; they’re your keys to unlocking a universe of growth, collaboration, and impact.
If you are ready to embrace a journey of discovery, connection, and creative excellence, tag along as we introduce you to the top five fellowship programs for African-born scholars.
Top 5 Fellowship Programs for African-Born Scholars
1. World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program
The World Bank Group (WBG) is offering its 2024 Africa Fellowship program for all Ph.D. graduates and candidates who are nationals of sub-Saharan Africa.
Women are particularly encouraged to apply for this 2024 WBG Africa Fellowship Program. You can expect the program to build capacity in you with a broader exposure to policymaking and development research for poverty reduction in Africa.
Quick notes about the 2024 WBG Africa Fellowship Program:
- The program is only for Ph.D. candidates and recent Ph.D. graduates.
- Ph.D. graduates can only apply if their graduation is 3 years at maximum.
- The program will be held between January and June 2024 and requires in-person availability.
- The program will be held in a country office or at the WBG headquarters in Washington, D.C.
- You will work on lending operations, technical assistance, economic policy, and research, contributing to WBG’s vision of eradicating poverty.
- For more information about the program and registration process, click here.
2. Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program
The Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP) is offered by the International Institute for Education (IIE) for African institutions to host African-born scholars who will work on educational projects. The typical project directions include curriculum co-development, graduate student teaching/mentoring, and research collaboration.
Quick notes about the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program:
- The program supports submitting project requests by accredited universities in six African countries: Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana.
- The accredited universities in the six African countries can name a specific African-born scholar they want to collaborate with in the U.S. or Canada. In situations where a scholar is not named in the project request, IIE will match them with a qualified candidate.
- You can submit a scholar application if you are an African-born scholar living in Canada or the United States and working at higher education institutions.
- For more information about the program and registration process, click here.
3. Harvard University Center For African Studies Fellowships
The Center for African Studies at Havard University offers several fellowship programs to host and support African scholars and practitioners. The core offerings include the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program, Visiting Fellowship Program, and the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.
Quick notes about the Havard University Center For African Studies Fellowships:
- The African Studies postdoctoral fellowship program empowers talented young African scholars to pursue teaching and scholarship under the Havard faculty’s mentorship in Johannesburg and Cambridge.
- The CAS-HYI fellowship program offers a 9-month training in African History and Cultures. The program is offered in collaboration with the Harvard Yenching Institute.
- The Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program (HSAFP) empowers South Africa’s mid-career professionals with up to 1 year of study.
- For more information about all these Havard fellowship programs and the registration processes, click here.
4. African Junior Professionals Fellowship Program
The African Junior Professionals Fellows program has been in existence since 2008. It’s a product of the International Peace Institute (IPI) partnering with the African Leadership Center and King’s College London.
Quick notes about the African Junior Professionals Fellowship Program:
- It’s a one-month program that is by invitation only.
- The program takes a select group of African-born scholars to New York to study the United Nations’ role in security issues and peace in Africa.
- The program gives scholars broader exposure to all that the UN Secretariat does. The program participants also gain access to academic institutions and think tanks in New York.
- For more information about the program and registration process, click here.
5. African Graduate Fellowships
The African Graduate Fellowship is designed for bright African students who are interested in pursuing a Master’s degree (M.Sc.) at the American University in Cairo (AUC). The program covers tuition fees, stipends, medical services, health insurance fees, and monthly housing allowances.
Quick notes about the African Graduate Fellowships:
- The maximum duration of the program is five semesters with a single intervening summer session (Counseling Psychology graduate program extends to 7 semesters).
- The program is open to every discipline of graduate studies.
- The program is open to all African-born scholars (except Egypt nationals).
- For additional information about the program and its registration process, click here.
Other Fellowship Programs (Worthy Mentions)
Aside from the top five programs we’ve highlighted above, there are many other fellowship programs accessible to African-born scholars.
Here’s a list worth checking out:
- Ireland Fellows Programme – Africa
- HFG African Fellows
- YoungEd Africa Fellowship Programme
- The Egyptian Graduate Fellowship (Egyptians only)
- Mandela Washington Fellowship
- Carman International Fellowship, Mosaic – Tanzania
- Academy Africa Fellowship, Chatham House Royal Institute for IA
- Princeton in Africa Fellowship
- East Africa Fellowships, Acumen
- Pearls of Africa Youth Foundation Programs
- Boren Fellowship – Africa
- African Economic Research Consortium PhD Fellowships
To see more Fellowship programs available for African scholars, visit this website.
Above all,
Don’t stop at just reading about these fellowship programs; make up your mind today and register for the one that matches your desire. You will be amazed by the powerful knowledge, experience, connections, and exposure that fellowship programs offer.
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Do well to also share your thoughts by leaving a comment below. We’d love to hear your opinions, interest, or experience with fellowship programs.
