ARUA Early-Career Research Fellowships – 2025

1. About the Fellowship

This Early-Career Research Fellowship is being initiated by the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), with support from the Mastercard Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. It will support up to forty-one (41) early-career research fellows to undertake globally competitive research at the ARUA Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for six months each, starting from July 2025. At least 70% of the fellowships will be awarded to female candidates. Also, applicants must be no older than 35 years at the time of application.

The goal is to strengthen the capacity of early-career researchers at African universities by giving them time away from teaching responsibilities at their home institutions while working with very senior and accomplished researchers. CoEs are expected to host research fellows from countries other than their own.

1.1 About ARUA

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 socioeconomic 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, with a view to generating 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 thirteen (13) CoEs that vary across various science and non-science disciplines.

1.2 About the Mastercard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation, established in 2006 by Mastercard, is a global NGO headquartered in Toronto. Focused on Africa since 2018, the Foundation addresses numerous challenges on the continent, and this includes economic inequality, education access, and decent work opportunities through initiatives like the Young Africa Works strategy and partnerships with several institutions. Its Scholars Program has supported over 50,000 African youth since 2012, emphasizing leadership development and systemic change in education. The Foundation prioritizes marginalized groups and youth-led solutions.

1.3 About the Carnegie Corporation of New York

The Carnegie Corporation of New York is one of the United States of America’s oldest grant-making foundations established by Andrew Carnegie to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding. In keeping with this mandate, the Corporation’s work focuses on the issues that Andrew Carnegie considered of paramount importance: international peace, the advancement of education and knowledge, and the strength of democracy. The Corporation supports four key program areas, including Education, Democracy, International Peace and Security, and Higher Education and Research in Africa.

2. Background

ARUA has established thirteen (13) Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across various disciplines to support its vision. These CoEs reflect the current priority areas of ARUA, and they are expected to significantly enhance research and graduate training. Currently, the CoEs are organised as follows: (i) Energy, (ii) Unemployment and Skills Development, (iii) Non-Communicable Diseases, (iv) Inequalities Research, (v) Notion of Identity in Africa, (vi) Migration and Mobility, (vii) Sustainable Food Systems, (viii) Urbanization and Habitable Cities, (ix) Climate and Development, (x) Good Governance, (xi) Post-Conflict Societies, (xii) Water, and (xiii) Materials, Energy & Nanotechnology (MEN).

To support the activities of these centers, ARUA is announcing a residential Early Career Research Fellowship that is expected to last for 6 months. During this period, prospective research fellows are expected to stay at the affiliated university of the respective CoE and conduct research related to their existing projects. Successful candidates are also expected to explore new lines of research with the approval of the Centre’s Director. Prospective candidates are encouraged to visit the ARUA website (https://arua.org/centres-of-excellence/) as well as those of the 13 CoEs to familiarize themselves with their ongoing research projects.

ARUA views this Early Career Research Fellowship as critical to consolidating the progress being made by the CoEs, which aligns with the main visions of the network as well as the institutions supporting the fellowship. ARUA, therefore, seeks to use this opportunity to enhance the relevance of postgraduate training for early-career researchers.

3. Roles and Responsibilities of the Research Fellow

The key roles and responsibilities of the research fellow are as follows:

• Work with other researchers to undertake various relevant studies at the Centre under the guidance of an assigned mentor.
• Write and publish a minimum of one (1) academic paper in high-impact journals, with an accompanying policy brief or blog post.
• Deliver at least two (2) presentations and participate in technical workshops with fellow researchers and other stakeholders.
• Assist in creating and bolstering new partnerships between the respective Centre of Excellence and other relevant bodies.
• Assist in disseminating research findings of the Centre.

4. Selection Criteria

• Applicants must have a PhD in a discipline/sub-discipline related to the thematic area of the Centre of Excellence.
• Applicants must be within 5 years of completing their PhD,
• Applicants should be young faculty (or research) members at an ARUA university
• 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 and has readily available data to accomplish the main roles and responsibilities
• Eligible women are strongly encouraged to apply. At least 70% of the fellowships will be awarded to female candidates.

5. Contract and Remuneration

Successful candidates will be contracted by ARUA for 6 months. The research fellowship shall provide a monthly stipend of US$2,000, travel and limited logistical support for research. Additional financial support is available for eligible women who may require adjustment assistance. The host CoE will provide the research fellow with office space.

6. Application Process

To apply for this research fellowship, please submit the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Purpose (500 words)
• Names and addresses of two academic referees.
• Letter of support from applicant’s permanent/home institution

The selection of successful candidates will be conducted by the Director of the Centre to which the candidate applies, in consultation with the host institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Applications should be submitted via the online submission portal (www.arua.org) no later than 15th May 2025. Successful candidates shall be contacted by June 1st, 2025, and will be expected to begin the fellowship on July 1^st, 2025.