Centre for African Studies, Mastercard Foundation Announce Visiting Fellowship for African Researchers

The Centre for African Studies, with the support of the Mastercard Foundation, has announced a call for two visiting fellowship positions at the University of California, Berkeley, for 2027.

The fellowship aims to provide eligible participants with the opportunity to pursue independent research or to complete a major book or article. It also aims to foster academic ties with UC Berkeley faculty and to enrich the centre’s life by mentoring Mastercard Foundation Scholars during their stay.

This single-semester fellowship (four months) kicks off no later than January 19, 2027, and is non-renewable. Selected participants will be provided with free airfare to Berkeley, a living allowance, free accommodation within the school, an office space, access to the school’s libraries, collections, online resources, and its extraordinary intellectual community.

Eligible candidates must be PhD holders, reside in an African country, and be affiliated with an African institute, be it a university, think tank, or non-governmental organisation. He or she must also exhibit the potential to contribute meaningfully to their field of study.

The researcher must be focused, but not limited to, fields of study that address issues of youth, labour, livelihoods, mobility, displacement, technology, democracy, futures, among others.

Candidates must submit a two-page CV and a research proposal of no more than two pages.

Applications close April 17, 2026.