Princeton University Princeton in Africa Fellowship Programmes (General and Nexus) 2025/2026

Princeton University is currently accepting applications for yearlong fellowship opportunities with a variety of organizations working across the African continent.

Application Deadline: 27th October, 2024 at 11:59 PM Eastern. 

To Be Taken At (Country): African countries

About the Award: We are currently accepting applications for yearlong fellowship opportunities with a variety of organizations working across the African continent.

General Fellowship: PIA General Fellows were educated at U.S.-accredited institutions.

Nexus Fellowship: Nexus Fellows are educated and resident on the African continent.

Princeton in Africa’s Nexus program pairs 5 Nexus Fellows, educated and resident on the African continent, with 5 co-Fellows from the general fellowship program who were educated at U.S.-accredited institutions.

Each pair of Fellows, one Nexus Fellow and one general Fellow, works together at one of Princeton in Africa’s host organizations on the African continent.

• Host Organizations: Nexus applicants can only be considered for fellowship posts at a list of Nexus-designated organizations.  The list of Nexus organizations and posts can be found on our fellowship application and on our List of Prospective Host Organizations.  The list of Nexus-eligible posts will be updated through the fall and spring and are subject to change.  Past Nexus organizations have included:
  • African School of Economics, Benin (2023-24)
  • Emerging Leaders Foundation Africa, Kenya (2023-24)
  • International Livestock Research Institute (2024-25)
  • International Rescue Committee, Kenya (2023-24, 2024-25)
  • International Rescue Committee, Somalia (based in Kenya) (2023-24, 2024-25)
  • Megnacio Company Ltd., Tanzania (2024-25)
  • Mpala Research Centre, Kenya (2023-24)
  • Warc Africa, Ghana (2024-25)

Type: Fellowship

Who can apply?

Please note there are different eligibility requirements for our general/flagship fellowship program and our Nexus program. Please see both sets of eligibility requirements outlined below. Applicants would only be eligible to apply for both programs, if they are currently residing on the African continent, and have a bachelors or postgraduate degree from a U.S. accredited institution AND an African institution.

General/Flagship Fellowship Program Eligibility:

• General applicants must be young professionals or current undergraduates graduating by June 2025 at the time of application.
• General applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or a Ph.D. from a 4-year U.S.-accredited university.
• General applicants must have full professional proficiency in speaking, reading and writing English as defined by the CEFR (Level C1 and above). Additionally, professional proficiency in French is preferred at some posts.
• General applicants must be not more than 35 years of age for the duration of the fellowship year (through August 2026). General applicants for the 2025-26 fellowship year must have a birthdate that falls on or after September 1, 1990.
• General applicants must have a passport valid through the end of the fellowship year (August 2026)..

Nexus Program Eligibility:

• Nexus applicants must be young professionals or current undergraduates graduating by June 2025 at the time of application.*
• Nexus applicants must have an undergraduate degree or a Master’s degree (or equivalent), or a Ph.D. from an African university.
• Nexus applicants must not be enrolled in any graduate, doctoral, or equivalent advanced academic programs during their fellowship year.
• Nexus applicants must have full professional proficiency in speaking, reading and writing English as defined by the CEFR (Level C1 and above). Additionally, professional proficiency in French is preferred at some posts.
• Nexus applicants must be not more than 35 years of age for the duration of the fellowship year (through August 2026). Nexus applicants for the 2025-26 fellowship year must have a birthdate that falls on or after September 1, 1990.
• Nexus applicants must have a passport valid through the end of the fellowship year (August 2026).
• Nexus Applicants must have citizenship in an African country and have current residency in an African country (applicants with dual U.S. citizenship will not be considered).
• *Nexus applicants must not be enrolled in any graduate, doctoral, or equivalent advanced academic programs during their fellowship year.

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award: Princeton in Africa/fellowship organizations cover:

• On the ground expenses, including housing and living stipend.
• Visas/work permits.
• Medical, medical evacuation, and security evacuation insurance.
• Pre-departure orientation for all Fellows. Housing and meals are provided.
• Mid-year Retreat in Africa. Housing and meals are provided. PiAf also provides a partial travel allowance to assist with travel to/from the Retreat.

Duration of Programme: Fellowships are 12 months long

How to Apply: 

PiAf cannot accept any application materials emailed directly by applicants, please see below for a list of application materials and how they are to be submitted, you can find additional information regarding this on our website and in the online application.

• (All Applicants) Complete Online Application — submitted via online form linked here
• (All Applicants) Resume or CV — attached to online application, 2 pages max
• (All Applicants) Unofficial transcript — attached to online application (accompanied by an English translation, if necessary). Transcripts must be in English, should be in PDF format and no larger than 256KB.
• (All Applicants) Official transcript — sent directly from your university to piafapp@princetoninafrica.org, additional information in FAQs linked above. Note that PiAf only accepts digital official transcripts that are sent directly from your university to our offices via secure online platform or email (accompanied by an English translation, if necessary).
• (All Applicants) One letter of recommendation — submitted directly by your recommender via online form link here.
• (Nexus Applicants Only) Proof of university enrollment —  attached to online application. Must be in English, in PDF format and no larger than 256KB. For this requirement, PiAf will accept any ONE of the following:
  • An official enrollment verification document (accompanied by an English translation, if necessary)
  • A scanned copy of the applicant’s diploma (accompanied by an English translation, if necessary)
  • A letter in English on university letterhead signed by a university administrator or professor indicating the dates of enrollment, degree obtained, and area of study. The university representative’s email and phone number must be included in the letter.

Incomplete Applications will not be accepted. Princeton in Africa cannot confirm the receipt of application materials. We ask that you not call the Princeton in Africa offices. Please send any inquiries to piafapp@princetoninafrica.org.

PLEASE NOTE: As of 9/17/22 Princeton in Africa is no longer requiring applicants to pay a $75 non-refundable application fee.

How to Apply?

PiAf cannot accept any application materials emailed directly by applicants, please see below for a list of application materials and how they are to be submitted. You can find additional information regarding these requirements on our FAQs and in the online application.

Visit Programme Webpage for Details