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The Princeton in Africa Fellowship places you in a year-long role with an organisation working across Africa, in fields like health, education, conservation, and development. It gives you housing, a monthly living stipend, and medical and evacuation insurance while you work. There is no application fee. So it is a work fellowship for graduates, not a scholarship to study for a degree.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host | Princeton in Africa, with partner organisations across Africa |
| Type | Year-long paid work fellowship |
| What it gives | Housing, living stipend, medical and evacuation insurance |
| Who can apply | Graduates aged 35 or under with a degree from a US or African university |
| Application fee | None |
| Deadline | 26 October 2026, 23:59 US Eastern time |
What is the Princeton in Africa Fellowship?
Princeton in Africa matches young graduates with organisations doing real work across the African continent. It places you with one host for about a year, and you do a proper job there, not shadowing, but actual work.
The fields change with the hosts each year, but they usually cover health, education, agriculture, conservation, human rights, and economic development. And you get housing, a living stipend to cover your day-to-day costs, and insurance, plus a mid-year retreat with the other fellows.
This is about experience, not a diploma. So if you want a year of serious work with a respected organisation, in a place where the work matters, this is that.
What you get
- A year-long placement with an organisation working in Africa.
- Housing for the fellowship year.
- A monthly living stipend to cover your daily costs.
- Medical and evacuation insurance.
- A mid-year retreat with your fellow cohort, and support with some visa or work-permit costs.
Be clear about the costs first
There is no application fee. But if you are accepted, you pay a 350 US dollar programme placement fee, and you cover your own round-trip airfare to your placement. Princeton in Africa says financial aid is available for fellows who can show real need, so if money is the only thing standing between you and this, ask them about that aid. So plan your budget with these two costs in mind before you accept a place.
Who can apply
- You are 35 or younger during the fellowship year.
- You hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD from a university in the United States or in Africa, or you graduate by June 2027.
- You are fluent in English, at a strong professional level (around CEFR C1 or higher).
- You have a valid passport, or can get one, that stays valid well past the fellowship.
Do I have to be from Princeton, or from the US?
No. This is a common worry and the answer is simple: you do not need any link to Princeton University, and you do not have to be American. Graduates of African universities are welcome and encouraged. If your degree is from an African university, this fellowship is meant for you too.
Is there an age limit?
Yes, one clear limit: you must be 35 or younger during the fellowship year. If you are inside that, your age is not a problem. If you are just over it, look instead at the paid UN and development placements we post, which often have no age cap.
Do I need work experience?
You do not need years of experience. In fact, recent graduates are a core part of who this is for. So what helps is showing that you can do real work: any research, teaching, volunteering, or project work you have done, even small, is worth naming clearly.
What you need to apply
- Your CV or resume.
- Your degree records, or proof you graduate by June 2027.
- Essays or short answers, as the application asks.
- References.
- A valid passport, or proof you can get one in time.
How to apply, step by step
- Open the official Princeton in Africa “How to Apply” page and read this year’s rules in full.
- Check you fit: 35 or under, a degree from a US or African university (or finishing by June 2027), strong English.
- Prepare your CV, essays, and references early, because good references take time to write.
- Complete the online application on the official site before the deadline.
- If you are offered a place, plan for the 350 US dollar placement fee and your airfare, and ask about financial aid if you need it.
How they choose
First, Princeton in Africa reviews your application, shortlists, and interviews the strongest candidates before matching them with a host organisation. They look for people who are capable, adaptable, and genuinely committed to the work. So your essays are where you show that. Write honestly about why this work, and why you.
Deadline
Applications close on 26 October 2026, at 23:59 US Eastern time.
You have some weeks, but references and essays always take longer than planned, so start now. Ask your referees this week while they have time to write you a strong letter. If this one is not your fit, we post paid fellowships and placements for graduates every week, so keep checking the site.
Not sure if your degree or field fits a Princeton in Africa placement? Tell us your background in the comments and we will help you weigh it.
Related reading
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- United Nations Volunteer Program 2026 (On-site and Online)
- Green Climate Fund IT Internship 2026 in South Korea (Fully Funded)
- Harvard Environmental Fellows Program 2027 (Fully Funded)
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