PiAf Fellowship 2027-2028 in Africa | Fully Funded

It is a 12-month fellowship program run by Princeton in Africa that places recent university graduates with host organizations working on the African continent. Fellows gain hands-on experience in various fields, including business, health, education, and sustainable development. Host organizations cover on-the-ground costs, and Princeton in Africa provides insurance, evacuation support, and a midyear leadership retreat.

The general host organization application deadline is Monday, August 17, 2026. The innovation-focused fellowship application deadline is Monday, August 31, 2026. The deadline for 2026-27 host organization applications has passed. Organizations applying to host a PiAf Innovator in 2027-28 should follow the same guidance and indicate interest in the innovation track.

Host organizations must be working on the African continent and use fellows to support their work. They cover the on-the-ground costs of the fellowship, which typically range from $15,000 to $25,000, including airfare, housing, food, local travel, visas, and communications. Princeton in Africa presents organizations with several candidates for review after a rigorous selection process.

On-the-ground costs are covered by host organizations, including airfare, safe and secure furnished housing and utilities, food, local travel, visas, communications, and other basic living expenses. Princeton in Africa also provides medical insurance, medical evacuation insurance, security evacuation insurance, ongoing personal and professional support, and a midyear leadership retreat on the continent.

Fellowships last 12 months and begin between mid-June and early-August each year. Fellows arrive from June 9 to August 10 and begin work. Milestones include 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month reports, mid-year check-ins, and a mandatory 4-day retreat hosted by Princeton in Africa around March to May. Final reports and check-ins take place at the 12-month mark.

Organizations applying to host a Fellow in 2027-28 must complete the application request form. Within a few business days, they receive access to the online portal to complete the host organization application. For the innovation-focused fellowship, indicate interest in the form. For questions or missing follow-up emails, contact [email protected].

Princeton in Africa Fellows are recent university graduates; some are enrolled in or have completed graduate-level studies. They have experience in fields from politics and public policy to biology and engineering. Many hold African Studies certificates or have previously spent time in Africa or abroad. Relevant language skills include English, French, Kiswahili, and many other African languages.

Princeton in Africa receives hundreds of applications each year. Candidates submit a written application, professional or academic references, and an academic transcript. The process continues with interviews and review by a selection committee. PiAf then presents organizations with several candidates for review. Fellows are matched based on interests, capabilities, technical knowledge, and language skills.

Princeton in Africa is launching a new innovation-focused fellowship that connects emerging leaders with organizations and investors shaping Africa’s growing innovation economy, from startups to tech-driven initiatives leveraging public-private partnerships and venture capital. Fellows help organizations drive innovation, expand economic opportunity, and advance scalable solutions. Organizations should indicate interest in this track in the application form.

Yes, the on-the-ground costs of each fellowship are covered by host organizations, keeping the experience open to all applicants. Princeton in Africa also covers medical, evacuation, and security insurance as well as a leadership retreat. Fellows are not expected to profit and are expected to live modestly. Typical total on-the-ground cost is $15,000–$25,000 depending on location.