African STARS Fellowship Programme 2026 | Fully Funded Opportunity for African Students
Are you a young Nigerian or African student passionate about science, health, and innovation? The African STARS Fellowship Programme 2026 offers a prestigious, fully funded fellowship for emerging African leaders in genomics, diagnostics, vaccine development, and biotechnology.
Supported by the Mastercard Foundation, this highly competitive programme is ideal for aspiring professionals seeking to build impactful careers in epidemic response, public health innovation, and biotech entrepreneurship.
If you are searching for a high-impact, fully funded opportunity in Africa, this fellowship could be the catalyst for your career in cutting-edge scientific fields.
About the African STARS Fellowship
The African STARS Fellowship Programme is a joint initiative of:
- The Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), Stellenbosch University, South Africa
- The Centre for Africa’s Resilience to Epidemics (CARE), Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD), Senegal
The programme is designed to strengthen Africa’s capacity to respond to infectious disease threats by training young African scientists and professionals in:
- Genomics
- Diagnostics development
- Vaccine manufacturing
- Biotechnology innovation
With Africa facing increasing public health challenges, this fellowship equips participants with the expertise and leadership skills needed to drive epidemic preparedness and health innovation across the continent.
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Fellowship Tracks
The programme offers two distinct tracks:
1. Advanced and Translational Training (ATT) Fellowship
- Duration: 4–6 months
- Focus: Advanced genomics, diagnostic design, vaccine manufacturing, and leadership development
- Ideal for researchers and scientists seeking technical specialization
2. Young Professional Programme (YPP) Fellowship
- Duration: 12 months
- Focus: Biotechnology entrepreneurship, innovation, commercialization, and industry placements
- Ideal for professionals interested in translating research into market-ready solutions
This fellowship is particularly well-suited for Nigerian students seeking careers in biotechnology, public health, and epidemic response.
Benefits of the Programme
Successful fellows will receive comprehensive support, including:
- Full funding, covering travel, visa support, accommodation, and a monthly living stipend
- Hands-on training at leading institutions in South Africa or Senegal
- Industry placements (for YPP fellows)
- Expert mentorship in genomics, biotechnology, and innovation
- Training in leadership, grantsmanship, project management, and entrepreneurship
- Access to the African STARS Alumni Network for long-term collaboration and career opportunities
- Medical insurance during the fellowship
- Potential childcare support for longer programmes (subject to review)
- Certificate of completion and, for select fellows, degree qualifications (MSc or MBA)
This makes the African STARS Fellowship one of the most comprehensive fully funded programmes for African students in health and innovation.
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be born in and/or currently living in Africa
- Be 35 years old or younger at the start of the fellowship
- Hold a relevant postgraduate qualification (minimum of a Master’s degree; PhD is an advantage)
- Meet experience requirements:
- ATT Track: Minimum of 3 years in research, innovation, or industry
- YPP Track: Minimum of 5 years in research management, innovation, or commercialization
- Demonstrate excellence in genomics, diagnostics, biotechnology, or vaccine development
- Show strong leadership potential and commitment to contributing to Africa
- Be fluent in English or French (proficiency in both is an advantage)
Women and candidates with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Nigerian applicants with backgrounds in biological sciences, health sciences, or economics are especially encouraged.
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Required Documents
Applicants must prepare the following:
- Completed online application form (specific to ATT or YPP track)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) using the official template
- At least one letter of recommendation from an academic or professional referee
- A short video pitch presenting a novel research or project idea
- If selected: Certified academic certificates and SAQA evaluation (for MSc/MBA tracks only)
No application fee is required.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Select Your Track: Choose between ATT (4–6 months) or YPP (12 months).
- Download the Official CV Template from the application portal.
- Prepare Required Documents, including your recommendation letter and video pitch (under 2 minutes).
- Complete the Online Application Form for your chosen track and upload all documents.
- Indicate Preferences for training location (South Africa or Senegal) and language (English or French).
- Submit Before the Deadline. Only online submissions will be accepted.
- Await Notification: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within two months.
Application Deadline: January 31, 2026 (00:00 GMT)
Late applications will not be considered. Apply early to secure your chance at this fully funded fellowship for African students.
