UMAPS Fellowship is a residential research fellowship that provides early-career African faculty with a five-month research residency at the University of Michigan to advance their research and build partnerships. The UMAPS Fellowship supports independent research while pairing each fellow with a University of Michigan faculty mentor to foster collaboration and scholarly exchange.
The program is hosted by the African Studies Center (ASC) at the University of Michigan and welcomes applicants from a broad range of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, STEM, public health, education, and agriculture. For 2027 the program also includes scholars teaching in Egypt through a partnership with the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies (CMENAS).
UMAPS Fellowship Benefits
- Access to world-class research facilities
- Mentorship from distinguished University of Michigan faculty
- Interdisciplinary collaboration and participation in academic seminars and workshops
- Membership in a global network of scholars and opportunities to strengthen institutional partnerships
UMAPS Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Current employment as an early-career faculty member at an African college or university.
- Fewer than ten years of teaching experience in higher education.
- Ability to reside in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the full five-month fellowship period.
- Strong institutional support from the home university.
- Commitment to collaborative research and academic engagement.
Required Documents
- A completed online application form
- A current curriculum vitae
- A scholarly research proposal of no more than five pages
- Contact details for the department head, dean, or vice chancellor providing institutional support
How to Apply for UMAPS Fellowship
- Submit all applications through the official online application system during the annual application cycle.
- Prepare a completed online application form.
- Provide a current curriculum vitae.
- Submit a scholarly research proposal of no more than five pages.
- Provide contact details for the department head, dean, or vice chancellor providing institutional support.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the UMAPS Fellowship Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, application requirements, and the nomination process to help prospective applicants prepare.
What is the UMAPS Fellowship?
The UMAPS Fellowship is a five-month residential research residency at the University of Michigan offered by the African Studies Center. It enables early-career African faculty to pursue independent research while working with a University of Michigan faculty mentor, participating in seminars, and contributing to collaborative academic initiatives.
Who is eligible to apply to UMAPS?
The fellowship is intended for early-career faculty currently teaching at African colleges or universities with fewer than ten years of higher-education teaching experience. Applicants must hold an ongoing academic appointment and have strong institutional support from their home university, including a required letter of institutional endorsement.
Which countries can apply directly?
Direct applications are welcomed from faculty members based in Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda. Faculty from other African countries may be eligible via nomination by a University of Michigan faculty member.
What are the application requirements?
Applicants must submit a completed online application form, a current curriculum vitae, a scholarly research proposal (no more than five pages), and contact details for the department head, dean, or vice chancellor who will provide institutional support. The application is not complete until the institutional endorsement is received.
How long is the fellowship and when are the cohorts?
The UMAPS Fellowship lasts five months. The program hosts two cohorts each year: August to December and January to May. Applicants may indicate a preferred cohort during application but final placement depends on program availability.
What is the nomination process for scholars outside listed countries?
Scholars teaching in African countries not on the direct-application list must be nominated by a University of Michigan faculty member. The nominator completes an online pre-application form, submits a letter of endorsement, agrees to mentor the applicant during residency, and commits to regular meetings and, if possible, office space.
When does the application cycle open and close?
The UMAPS application cycle opens annually from 15 August to 15 October. The official milestone table lists Applications open: 15 August 2026 and Application deadline: 15 October 2026, and applicants should submit through the official online portal within this window.
Are previous UMAPS fellows eligible to apply again?
Previous UMAPS fellows are not eligible to apply for the program. Preference is given to candidates with limited international academic experience outside Africa, and applicants must meet all program eligibility requirements and institutional endorsement conditions.
What disciplines are eligible for UMAPS?
The program welcomes applicants from a broad range of academic disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, STEM fields, public health, education, agriculture, and interdisciplinary research. Applications aligned with the African Studies Center’s thematic initiatives are particularly encouraged.
Where can I apply and find official information?
All applications must be submitted through the official online application system listed on the University of Michigan African Studies Center website. The official application page is: https://ii.umich.edu/asc/fellows/umaps/apply.html where applicants should verify details, deadlines, and requirements before applying.
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