The 2027-28 fellowship application is open here!

The deadline for 2027-28 fellowship applications is Monday, Oct. 26th, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

For information on the 2027-2028 fellowship cycle, please sign up for our applicant mailing list.

Eligibility & Application Requirements

Fellowship Program Eligibility:

To be eligible for the 2027-28 Princeton in Africa Fellowship, all applicants must:

• Be young professionals or current undergraduates graduating by June 2027 at the time of application.*
• Hold a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or a Ph.D. from either:
  • A 4-year U.S.-accredited university, or
  • A 4-year locally-accredited university based in Africa
• Have full professional proficiency in speaking, reading and writing English as defined by the CEFR (Level C1 and above). Additional professional proficiency in Arabic, French, Kiswahili, or Portuguese 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, 1992).
• Hold a passport that is valid until at least 6 months after the end of the fellowship year.

* Applicants must not be enrolled in any graduate, doctoral, or equivalent advanced academic programs during their fellowship year.

In 2023-24, Princeton in Africa launched the Nexus Program in order to expand access to our Fellowships and deepen our impact by reaching more young professionals educated and living in Africa. Learn more about the Nexus Program here. Nexus and general applicants will apply using the same process and application portal. 

For the 2027-28 cycle, Princeton in Africa is expanding its efforts to connect exceptional emerging leaders with organizations and investors shaping Africa’s growing innovation economy through a targeted Innovation Fellowship program. Applicants who are interested in Innovation Fellowship posts should indicate as such in their application forms.

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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 our FAQs page and in the application.

REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS:

• Online application questionnaires and essays 
  • Applicants interested in the Innovation Fellowship should complete the supplemental Innovation Fellowship questionnaire found in the application portal. Please see our FAQs for more information.
• Resume or CV
  • Maximum 2 pages with font size 10 or higher.
  • PDF Format.
• Official Transcript
  • Must be sent directly from your university to piafapp@princetoninafrica.org 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 form in the online application.

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 piafapp@princetoninafrica.org.

Policy Updates:

• Beginning with the 2027-28 Fellowship Application Cycle, all applicants will use the same application forms, regardless of University location or country of residence.
• Beginning with the 2026-27 Fellowship Application Cycle, applicants will only need to request an official transcript be submitted to piafapp@princetoninafrica.org 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 in key sectors 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 international staff. Some Fellows live in urban areas like Johannesburg and Nairobi; others are based in very rural areas with limited amenities. 

All Fellows will be required to attend a pre-departure orientation as well as a mid-year retreat, both of which are designed to foster professional development and community building among the Fellowship cohort. 

No matter the host organization or the location, all fellowships are 12 months long and all Fellows are supported by 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. 

Fellows should expect to cover:

• $350 program placement fee upon acceptance of a fellowship offer.
• Depending on the post, round-trip airfare to and from their fellowship post in their host country.
• Pre-departure medical expenses (e.g. immunizations, malaria prevention meds, personal meds, visit for completing medical release form).
• Depending on the post, Fellows may contribute to visa or work permit costs.
• Partial cost of travel to mid-year Retreat.

Note: PiAf is committed to ensuring all applicants are able to participate in the program regardless of their financial situation. Once placed with a host organization, a financial aid application is available to Fellows with demonstrated need. Fellows with demonstrated need can ask questions about the process to PiAf staff.

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 with meals, housing, and activities, and partial travel allowance.

*Fellowship packages vary post-to-post; details will be provided in the offer letter prior to a Fellow’s acceptance.

Note: Fellowship stipends are intended 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
• Current Fellows
• Fellows Report Database – provides detailed information about past fellowship experiences. Gain access by emailing piafapp@princetoninafrica.org.
• 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:

Wednesday, August 26th, 2026
Fellowship application opens 

Tuesday, Sept 16th, 2026 at 12:00-1:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Information Session for prospective applicants

Monday, October 26th, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Application Deadline

Early December, 2026
Applicants notified about interviews

January 6-12th, 2027
Fellowship interviews (conducted virtually)

February – May 2027
Ongoing acceptance and placements

June 4 – 6th, 2027
Mandatory Virtual Orientation

June 9 – August 10, 2027
Fellowships begin

June 8 – August 9, 2028
Fellowships end