MASS African Design Centre Fellowship: Cultivating Future African Designers

The MASS African Design Centre Fellowship offers a unique twelve-month residency in Kigali, Rwanda, for emerging architects and designers from across Africa. This program is designed to equip participants with the necessary tools, mentorship, and resources to develop innovative design solutions. The fellowship aims to foster culturally grounded and community-driven approaches that tackle Africa’s infrastructure challenges while honoring its rich architectural heritage.

Program Goals and Focus

The African Design Centre (ADC) Fellowship is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of African design leaders. It seeks individuals who are committed to social justice and environmental sustainability through their work, with a strong connection to African heritage. Ideal candidates are those who are curious, enjoy working with others, and are eager to contribute to a movement that uses locally driven design to create significant change in communities and systems.

Through this fellowship, participants will gain exposure to a wide array of ongoing projects within the Model of Architecture Serving Society (MASS) initiatives. These areas include improving maternal and newborn health, expanding economic opportunities, promoting climate-friendly development, conducting research, and fostering community-led innovation. Fellows are encouraged to bring their own ideas and questions to the table, engaging them with the diverse challenges and opportunities that MASS is currently exploring.

Fellowship Activities and Support

During the twelve-month residency, fellows will engage in several key activities. They will conduct design research that is deeply rooted in local culture, exploring indigenous knowledge systems, traditional architecture, and urban development patterns. Fellows will also participate in community-based design projects that are part of various MASS initiatives. A significant part of the program involves sharing knowledge, with fellows publishing reflective pieces to document their insights and learnings gained throughout the fellowship.

Participants will receive valuable support from MASS program staff, along with guidance from assigned design and professional mentors. This is a paid fellowship, and it requires fellows to relocate to Kigali, Rwanda, for the duration of the program, from October 2026 to September 2027.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the MASS African Design Centre Fellowship, applicants must meet specific criteria. They must be nationals of an African country and be 35 years of age or younger. Furthermore, applicants should be professionals working in the built environment and hold a degree in fields such as architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, engineering, or a related discipline. A key requirement is the ability to relocate to Kigali, Rwanda, for the full twelve months of the fellowship.

Application Process

The application for the ADC Fellowship involves a three-stage selection process. The first stage requires eligible candidates to submit their resumes or CVs, references, a portfolio showcasing their work, and a statement explaining their alignment with the fellowship’s goals. Candidates who successfully pass the first stage will be shortlisted and invited to submit pre-fellowship essays and confirm their availability to fully participate in the program. The final stage involves interviews for candidates whose essays have been deemed successful.

Frequently Asked Questions