Deadline: October 25, 2023.

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.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Please note there are different eligibility requirements for our general/flagship 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 a U.S. accredited institution AND an African institution.

General/Flagship Fellowship Program Eligibility:

• General applicants must be young professionals or current undergraduates graduating by June 2024 at the time of application.
• General applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or a Ph.D. from a 4-year U.S.-accredited university.
• General applicants must have full professional English proficiency as defined by the U.S. Department of State. Additionally, full professional proficiency in French is preferred at some posts.
• General applicants must be not more than 35 years of age for the duration of the fellowship year (through August 2025).
• General applicants must have a passport valid through the end of the fellowship year (August 2025).

Nexus Program Eligibility:

• Nexus applicants must be young professionals or current undergraduates graduating by June 2024 at the time of application.
• Nexus applicants must have an undergraduate degree or a Master’s degree (or equivalent), or a Ph.D. from an African university.
• Nexus applicants must have full professional English proficiency as defined by the U.S. Department of State. Additionally, full professional proficiency in French is preferred at some posts.
• Nexus applicants must be not more than 35 years of age for the duration of the fellowship year (through August 2025).
• Nexus Applicants must have citizenship in an African country and have current residency in an African country (applicants with dual U.S. citizenship will not be considered)
• Nexus applicants must have citizenship in an African country and have current residency in an African country (applicants with dual U.S. citizenship will not be considered).

BENEFITS

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:

• Transportation to and from 2024-25 Fellowship Application can be found here.
• $350 program placement fee upon acceptance of a post
• Round-trip airfare to and from post in their host country.
• Pre-departure medical expenses (immunizations, malaria prevention meds, personals meds, visit for completing medical release form)
• Depending on post, Fellow may contribute to visa or work permit costs

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 piafapp@princetoninafrica.org.

Princeton in Africa/Fellowship Organizations cover*:

• Housing and living stipend
• Certain visas/work permits
• Medical, medical evacuation, security evacuation insurance
• Pre-departure orientation housing and meals
• Mid-year Retreat partial travel allowance and meals/housing

*Fellowship packages vary post-to-post: details will be provided in the offer letter prior to a Fellows acceptance

APPLICATION

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 this on our website and in the online application.

• (All Applicants) Complete Online Application — submitted via online form linked here
• (All Applicants) Resume or CV — attached to online application, 2 pages max
• (All Applicants) Unofficial transcript — attached to online application (accompanied by an English translation, if necessary). Transcripts must be in English, should be in PDF format and no larger than 256KB.
• (All Applicants) Official transcript — sent directly from your university to piafapp@princetoninafrica.org, additional information in FAQs linked above. Note that PiAf only accepts digital official transcripts that are sent directly from your university to our offices via secure online platform or email (accompanied by an English translation, if necessary).
• (All Applicants) One letter of recommendation — submitted directly by your recommender via online form link here.
• (Nexus Applicants Only) Proof of university enrollment —  attached to online application. Must be in English, in PDF format and no larger than 256KB. For this requirement, PiAf will accept any ONE of the following:
  • An official enrollment verification document (accompanied by an English translation, if necessary)
  • A scanned copy of the applicant’s diploma (accompanied by an English translation, if necessary)
  • A letter in English on university letterhead signed by a university administrator or professor indicating the dates of enrollment, degree obtained, and area of study. The university representative’s email and phone number must be included in the letter.

OFFICIAL LINK