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Applications are now open for the 2025/2026 Princeton in Africa Fellowships. Fellowships are open to graduates of U.S.-accredited colleges & universities.
Opportunity Details
Princeton in Africa (PiAf) is a non-profit organization that offers year-long paid post-graduate fellowship opportunities with a variety of organizations working across the African continent. Fellowships are open to graduates of U.S.-accredited colleges & universities as well as colleges & universities based on the African continent through the Nexus program.
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 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.
The Princeton in Africa experience is an investment on the part of each Fellow, each fellowship organization, and Princeton in Africa. The following funding arrangements are in place.
Fellows cover:
Note: PiAf is committed to ensuring all applicants are able to participate in the program regardless of financial need. Once placed, there is an available financial aid application for Fellows with demonstrated need. Applicants with demonstrated need upon completion of their application should reach out directly to [email protected].
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.
Princeton in Africa/Fellowship Organizations cover*:
*Fellowship packages vary post-to-post: details will be provided in the offer letter prior to a Fellows acceptance
Note: Fellowship stipends are to cover living costs directly related to the fellowship. Stipends are not meant to cover outside costs, including costs in Fellows’ home countries.
Please note there are different eligibility requirements for our general fellowship program and our Nexus program. Please see both sets of eligibility requirements outlined below. Applicants would only be eligible to apply for both programs if they are currently residing on the African continent and have a bachelors or postgraduate degree from an African institution that is U.S.-accredited.
*General applicants must not be enrolled in any graduate, doctoral, or equivalent advanced academic programs during their fellowship year.
*Nexus applicants must not be enrolled in any graduate, doctoral, or equivalent advanced academic programs during their fellowship year.
Learn more about the Nexus Program
PiAf cannot accept any application materials emailed directly by applicants, please see below for a list of application materials and how they are to be submitted. You can find additional information regarding these requirements on our FAQs and in the online application.
Incomplete Applications will not be accepted. Princeton in Africa cannot confirm the receipt of application materials. We ask that you not call the Princeton in Africa office with questions about the application. Please send any inquiries to [email protected].
PLEASE NOTE: As of 9/17/22 Princeton in Africa is no longer requiring applicants to pay a $75 non-refundable application fee.
Consult these resources for more information about Princeton in Africa:
Application & Fellowship Timeline
Late August, 2024
Application goes live
Tuesday, Sept 17th, 2024 at 12:00-1:30 PM Eastern
Information Session for prospective applicants
Sunday, October 27th, 2024 at 11:59 PM Eastern
Application Deadline
Early December, 2024
Applicants notified about interviews
Early January, 2025
Fellowship interviews (conducted virtually)
February-May 2025
Ongoing acceptance and placements
June 6 – 8th, 2025
MANDATORY Virtual Orientation
June 10-August 8, 2025
Fellowships begin
June 10-August 8, 2026
Fellowships end
For more information about the application process, check the online application form or the Frequently Asked Questions page. To learn more about the Fellowship program, please review the Current Fellows page, Where We Work page, and Fellow Supportpage.