ELIGIBILITY:

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.

The 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.

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.

Two (2) academic writing 

The biodata page of a valid passport

Each fellowship will have a duration of six months, to be undertaken between March 2026 and February 2027. There will be only two commencement dates for the awards: March 2026 and September 2026. 

The fellowship period for option 2 is September 2026 to February 2027. The deadline for application for option 2 is 15^th July 2026

BENEFIT:

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 (a return ticket to the 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.