The Mastercard Foundation invites applications for the 2026 University of California, Berkeley Visiting Fellowship, a fully funded academic opportunity designed to support African scholars in conducting independent research and building professional networks with faculty at UC Berkeley.
The UC Berkeley Visiting Fellowship 2026 offers full sponsorship, including travel expenses and living costs, for scholars affiliated with African institutions who are looking to further their academic work in collaboration with UC Berkeley’s Center for African Studies.
Scholarship Summary
- Host: University of California, Berkeley
- Host Country: USA
- Category: Fellowships
- Eligible Countries: African Countries
- Reward: Full Sponsorship | Living Expenses | Travel Costs
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: September 5, 2025
Scholarship Overview
The Center for African Studies at UC Berkeley, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, is offering two Visiting Fellowships for African scholars to be hosted at the university in 2026. This program is intended to support fellows in conducting focused research, contributing to academic discourse, and mentoring Mastercard Foundation Scholars during their time on campus.
The fellowship allows selected scholars to engage with UC Berkeley’s academic community, complete a major research article or book project, and collaborate with experts in their respective fields. The fellowship is non-renewable and will run for one semester (four months), beginning no later than Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the University of California, Berkeley Visiting Fellowship 2026, applicants must:
- Be currently residing in an African country and be affiliated with an African-based institution, such as a university, think tank, or non-governmental organization
- Hold a PhD degree at the time of application
- Demonstrate strong academic potential and the ability to contribute meaningfully to their area of expertise
Note: While applicants from any discipline are welcome, preference may be given to those conducting research in areas such as youth, labor, livelihoods, mobility, displacement, technology, democracy, or future-oriented studies.
Scholarship Benefits
Fellows selected for the UC Berkeley Visiting Fellowship will receive:
- Comprehensive funding for travel and accommodation
- Living stipends for the duration of the program
- Institutional support to pursue independent research
- Opportunities to collaborate with UC Berkeley faculty and scholars
- The chance to mentor Mastercard Foundation Scholars at the university
Application Process
To apply for the UC Berkeley Visiting Fellowship 2026, interested applicants should:
- Visit the official fellowship application webpage
- Prepare and submit the following documents:
- A current CV
- A research proposal (not more than two pages, excluding references)
- Send all required documents via email to: [email protected]
- Ensure that your complete application is submitted no later than September 5, 2025
Note: Only complete applications received by the deadline will be considered.
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