The ARUA Pilot Mid Career Research Fellowships 2026–2027, supported by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, invites applications from mid-career academics for six-month research-intensive sabbatical placements at selected research-intensive institutions.

Overview

The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), with support from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, offers up to ten fellowships for mid-career academics. Fellows will undertake a six-month research residency between September 2026 and August 2028 at ARUA’s thirteen Centres of Excellence (CoEs) or the twenty-two Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence (CoREs). The programme aims to strengthen research leadership, deepen collaborative and interdisciplinary work, and generate high-impact scholarly and policy-relevant outputs that advance ARUA’s 2022–2027 Strategic Plan.

Funding and Benefits

• Monthly stipend: USD 2,500 to cover living expenses, local transport, and health insurance.
• Monthly accommodation allowance: USD 750.
• One-time research grant: USD 3,500 to support data collection, fieldwork, research assistance, software, or other justified research costs, provided through the host institution or CoE/CoRE.
• Return economy-class airfare between the fellow’s home institution and the host institution.
• Office space and access to institutional facilities, including libraries, laboratories (where relevant), and online resources, provided by the host.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Hold the rank of Associate Professor or equivalent with a proven track record of post-PhD scholarly experience in full-time employment at an ARUA university.
• Demonstrate a strong track record of research and publication in an area aligned with the selected host institution, CoE, or CoRE research focus.
• Show evidence of prior or ongoing collaborative research, preferably across institutions or countries.
• Present a feasible six-month research plan with clearly defined outputs and a strategy for continuation beyond the fellowship, where applicable.
• Provide an institutional letter confirming support, leave or sabbatical arrangements, and return to their university at the end of the fellowship.
• Associate Professors who have just completed a tenure as Dean, Director, or Head of Department or Centre are encouraged to apply.
• Women and applicants from historically under-represented regions within the ARUA network are strongly encouraged to apply.

Research Areas

Fellows will be hosted at ARUA’s 13 CoEs or affiliated Africa-Europe CoREs, with a strong preference for placements in countries other than the fellow’s home country. The CoEs cover natural sciences and humanities. The CoREs address four thematic priorities:

• Public Health: Advanced Infectious Diseases, Multimorbidity, Food Environment Actions for Health, Non-Communicable Diseases, Genomics for Health, Pandemic Preparedness, Health Gender and Sexualities, Translational Research in Infection Immunity and Inflammation, Migration and Health.
• Green Transition: Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Change, Sustainable Water and Land Resource Management, Renewable Energy, Water Resources Management, Integrative Conservation Biology.
• Innovation and Technology: Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Sustainable Food Systems, Creative Economies, Engineering for the Future, Mathematics.
• Capacities for Sciences: Interdisciplinary Peace Research, Inequalities Poverty and Deprivation, Politics of Sustainable Development.

Application Process

Applicants must submit the following documents:

• Cover Letter (2 pages): Outlining motivation, how the fellowship supports ongoing research trajectory, professional development, and contribution to collaborative research within ARUA. Specify preferred host CoE or CoRE. Indicate visa requirements if applicable.
• Curriculum Vitae (max. 10 pages): Including personal details, doctoral degree details, academic appointments, research and teaching experience, grants, key outputs, and contact details of two referees (referees must not be based at the proposed host institution).
• Letter of Support from Home Institution: Formal letter confirming institutional endorsement, preferably from the Vice Chancellor or Deputy Vice-Chancellor, indicating leave will be granted and the applicant will return upon completion.
• Concept Note (max. 2,500 words): Stating research problem, objectives, expected outputs, conceptual and methodological approach, alignment with host institution’s thematic focus, and feasibility within six months.
• Passport Biodata Page: Scanned copy of a valid passport.

Deadline and Timeline

Fellowship period: September 2026 to August 2028. The exact deadline for applications is not specified in the material. Interested applicants should monitor the ARUA website for updates.