Applications are now open for the 2026/27 Princeton in Africa fellowships!
Closing Date: 27 October 2025
Applications are now open for the 2026/27 Princeton in Africa fellowships!
Overview
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.
Eligibility & Application Requirements
There are different eligibility requirements for the general fellowship program and the 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-year U.S.-accredited university.
- Have full professional proficiency in speaking, reading and writing English as defined by the CEFR (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 the CEFR (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.
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.
Application Requirements
To apply, please complete all sections of the 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 the FAQs page and 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 our FAQs.
- One Letter of Recommendation
- Submitted directly by your recommender via online form.
Additional Requirements 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.
Click Here To Apply
Follow Opportunities For Everyone on Social Media
