Are you a graphic designer or built-environment professional passionate about social justice and sustainability? Apply now for the 2025 African Design Centre (ADC) Fellowship, a programme that supports African-based designers working at the intersection of design, equity, and environmental responsibility.
The Fellowship provides access to world-class mentorship, tools, and resources to help participants create culturally grounded and community-driven design solutions that inspire transformational change.
Focus Areas
Applicants must demonstrate how their design-based projects address challenges in one or more of the following priority areas:
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Maternal & Newborn Health: Improve health outcomes through design that prioritises dignity, safety, and accessibility.
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Social & Economic Opportunity: Create spaces that foster innovation, skill development, and local enterprise.
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Building a Climate-Positive Future: Advance environmentally responsible and resilient design strategies.
Fellowship Benefits
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Conduct design research rooted in indigenous knowledge systems, vernacular architecture, and local urban patterns.
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Collaborate on real-world, community-based design projects aligned with the focus areas.
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Publish reflective essays and project insights to contribute to global design discourse.
Duration
The fellowship spans two years:
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Year One: Full-time, in-residence programme in Kigali, Rwanda (September 2025–August 2026).
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Year Two: Project continuation and engagement with alumni and partner networks.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, candidates must:
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Be African and currently residing in Africa.
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Be 35 years of age or younger.
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Hold a degree in architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, engineering, or a related built-environment field.
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Be available to relocate to Kigali, Rwanda, for the first year of the fellowship.
Application Process
The selection process consists of three stages:
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Expression of Interest: Submit your CV/resume, references, portfolio, and a statement of alignment with the fellowship goals.
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Shortlisting: Selected candidates will be asked to write pre-fellowship essays and confirm full-time availability.
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Interview: Finalists will participate in interviews to determine the 2025 cohort.
How to Apply
Click here to apply now.
Application Deadline: July 23, 2025
The African Design Centre (ADC) Fellowship for 2025 invites applications from graphic designers and built-environment professionals passionate about social justice and sustainability across Africa. This program supports the development of culturally grounded, community-driven design solutions focusing on maternal and newborn health, social and economic opportunities, and creating a climate-positive future. The fellowship provides world-class mentorship, resources, and opportunities for collaboration on real-world projects in these focus areas.
The fellowship lasts for two years, starting with a full-time, in-residence program in Kigali, Rwanda, from September 2025 to August 2026, with the second year dedicated to continued project work and networking. Eligibility for applicants includes being African, 35 or younger, holding relevant degrees, and being willing to relocate for the first year. Benefits include design research, project collaboration, and contributions to global design discourse.
The application process includes three stages: an expression of interest, shortlisting, and interviews. The deadline to apply is July 23, 2025. Interested candidates can apply through the provided link.
