UC Berkeley Center for African Studies Visiting Fellowships 2027: Fully Funded for African Scholars

African scholars have a rare chance to advance their work at one of the world’s top universities through the University of California Berkeley Center for African Studies Visiting Fellowships 2027. This fully funded program, backed by the Mastercard Foundation, welcomes two researchers from Africa to UC Berkeley. It lets them focus on independent projects, finish key publications, connect with faculty, and guide Mastercard Foundation Scholars. This article covers the fellowship’s overview, who can apply, what it offers, how to submit an application, and favored research topics.

Overview of the Fellowship

The UC Berkeley Center for African Studies runs this program with support from the Mastercard Foundation. It targets two visiting fellows for 2027. The goal is clear: help Africa-based researchers carry out their own studies, wrap up major articles or books, build links with UC Berkeley faculty, and support Mastercard Foundation Scholars on campus. Fellows stay at the Center and join its lively community. The official announcement came in early 2026, setting the stage for a productive research visit in Berkeley.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants need to meet these key requirements:

• Reside in an African country and hold a position at an African university, think tank, or non-governmental organization.
• Hold a PhD received on or before January 2022.
• Show clear potential to make strong contributions to their field of study.
  Preference goes to projects on topics like youth, labor, livelihoods, mobility, displacement, technology, democracy, or futures, though other areas are welcome.

Benefits of the Fellowship

The fellowship provides full support to make the stay smooth and productive:

• Travel: Return economy class airfare to Berkeley, California.
• Accommodation: A room at UC Berkeley’s International House.
• Financial Support: A daily allowance to handle living costs.
• Office Space: A desk and computer access at the Center for African Studies.
• Access to Resources: Full use of UC Berkeley’s libraries, collections, online tools, and events like seminars across campus.

Application Deadline and Process

The deadline to apply is April 17th, 2026. For complete details, check the official webpage. This competitive program calls for early planning. Start with these steps:

1. Review if you meet the eligibility rules.
2. Gather your documents and proposal.
3. Submit everything through the online form on the site.

Preferred Research Focus Areas

The fellowship accepts projects from any field, but it favors these key topics:

• Youth
• Labor
• Livelihoods
• Mobility
• Displacement
• Technology
• Democracy
• Futures

These areas match the Center’s work to tackle pressing issues in Africa. Researchers who align their ideas here stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions