Princeton In Africa Fellowship 2026 – 2027

Position description

The Application for 2026-27 Princeton in Africa fellowships is now availablehere. The deadline for the fellowship application isMonday, October 27th, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern.

To learn more about PiAf, please join our 2026-27 applicant mailing listhere.

This week, we will be holding aninfo session for Nexus applicants on Tuesday, September 9th 12:00-1:30 PM Eastern.More information can be found through our applicant mailing list.

We will also be holding aninfo session for prospective applicants on Tuesday, September 16th 12:00-1:30 PM Eastern.More information can be found through our applicant mailing list.

Eligibility & Application Requirements

There are different eligibility requirements for our general fellowship program and our Nexus program, outlined below.

General Fellowship Program Eligibility:

To be eligible for the 2026-27 Princeton in Africa Fellowship, general applicants must:

• Be young professionals or current undergraduates graduating by June 2026 at the time of application.*
• Hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or a Ph.D. from a 4-yearU.S.-accredited university.
• Have full professional proficiency in speaking, reading and writing English as defined by theCEFR(Level C1 and above). Professional proficiency in French is preferred for some posts.
• Be no older than 35 years of age for the duration of the fellowship year (born on or after September 1, 1991).
• Hold a passport valid through the end of the fellowship year (August 2027).
• General applicants must not be enrolled in any graduate, doctoral, or equivalent advanced academic programs during their fellowship year.

Nexus Program Eligibility:

To be eligible for the 2026-27 Princeton in Africa Fellowship, Nexus applicants must:

• Be young professionals or current undergraduates graduating by June 2026 at the time of application.*
• Hold a bachelor’s, master’s (or equivalent), or a Ph.D. from an African university.
• Have full professional proficiency in speaking, reading and writing English as defined by theCEFR(Level C1 and above). Professional proficiency in French is preferred for some posts.
• Be no older than 35 years of age for the duration of the fellowship year (born on or after September 1, 1991).
• Hold a passport valid through the end of the fellowship year (August 2027).
• 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.

Learn more about the Nexus Program

Applicants are eligible for both programs only if they(a) currently reside on the African continent AND (b) have a bachelors or postgraduate degree from an African institution that is U.S.-accredited.

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Application Requirements

To apply, please complete all sections of our online application. Please review the list below for all required components and follow the instructions on the online application carefully. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Additional details can be found in ourFAQs pageand in the application.

REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS:

• Online application questionnaires
• Resume or CV
  • Maximum 2 pages with font size 10 or higher
  • PDF Format
• Official Transcripts
  • Must be sent directly from your university to [email protected] via a secure online platform or official university email.
  • Transcripts must be in English (or include an English translation). Additional details available in ourFAQs.
• One Letter of Recommendation
  • Submitted directly by your recommender via online form.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR NEXUS APPLICANTS ONLY:

• Proof of University Enrollment– Document(s) must be in English and in PDF format. PiAf will accept any ONE of the following:
  • Official enrollment verification(with English translation, if needed)
  • Scanned copy of diploma(with English translation, if needed)
  • Letter on university letterhead(in English) signed by a university administrator or professor that includes:
    • Dates of enrollment
    • Degree obtained
    • Area of study
    • University representative’s email and phone number

Additional Notes:

• Princeton in Africa does not confirm receipt of individual materials. Applicants may instead track their application materials through their application portal.
• Please do not call the PiAf office with application-related questions. Instead, please direct all inquiries to [email protected].

Policy Updates:

• Beginning with the 2026-27 Fellowship Application Cycle, applicants will only need to request an official transcript be submitted to[email protected]directly by their university. An unofficial transcript will no longer be required.
• As of 9/17/22, Princeton in Africa is no longer requiring applicants to pay a $75 non-refundable application fee.

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The Princeton in Africa Fellowship Experience

A Princeton in Africa fellowship experience is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for personal and professional development and growth. It is often described as a way to get a foot in the door of the field of development on the African continent. It is also an opportunity to join a growing community of passionate PiAf alumni.

The fellowship experience varies greatly depending on placement and organization. Some Fellows work closely with a supervisor or colleague(s); others work more independently. Some Fellows work in offices that are filled with local staff; others work with a high number of expatriates. Some Fellows live in urban areas like Johannesburg and Nairobi; others are based in very rural areas with limited resources.

No matter the host organization or the location, all fellowships are 12 months long and all Fellows experience support from Princeton in Africa staff, alumni, and other Fellows. Community is a PiAf guarantee.

Expenses For The Fellowship

The Princeton in Africa experience is an investment on the part of each Fellow, each fellowship organization, and Princeton in Africa. The following funding arrangements are in place.

Fellows cover:

• $350 program placement fee upon acceptance of a post
• Round-trip airfare to and from post in their host country.
• Pre-departure medical expenses (immunizations, malaria prevention meds, personals meds, visit for completing medical release form)
• Depending on post, Fellow may contribute to visa or work permit costs

Note: PiAf is committed to ensuring all applicants are able to participate in the program regardless of financial need. Once placed, there is an available financial aid application for Fellows with demonstrated need. Applicants with demonstrated need upon completion of their application should reach out directly to [email protected].

Princeton in Africa/Fellowship Organizations cover*:

• Housing and living stipend
• Certain visas/work permits
• Medical insurance, medical evacuation insurance, security evacuation insurance
• Mid-year Retreat partial travel allowance and meals/housing
• Fellowship packages vary post-to-post: details will be provided in the offer letter prior to a Fellows acceptance

Note: Fellowship stipends are to cover living costs directly related to the fellowship. Stipends are not meant to cover outside costs, including costs in Fellows’ home countries.

Learn More about Princeton in Africa

Consult these resources for more information about Princeton in Africa:

• Current Host Organizations
• Expected Roles & Sectors– broken down by organization and location
• Fellows Report Database– provides detailed information about past fellowship experiences. Gain access by emailing [email protected]
• Nexus Program– learn more about the Nexus program for graduates of African universities, launched in 2023
• PiAf Placement Process Infographic– learn more about our placement process and timeline

Application & Fellowship Timeline:

Late August, 2025Application goes live

Tuesday, Sept 16th, 2025 at 12:00-1:30 PM EasternInformation Sessionfor prospective applicants

Monday, October 27th, 2025 at 11:59 PM EasternApplication Deadline

Early December, 2025Applicants notified about interviews

January 5-9th, 2026Fellowship interviews (conducted virtually)

February – May 2026Ongoing acceptance and placements

June 5 – 7th, 2026MandatoryVirtual Orientation

June 9 – August 10, 2026Fellowships begin

June 8 – August 9, 2027Fellowships end

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on geopolist.com