The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) has opened applications for its 2026 PhD Fellowships—an opportunity for early-career researchers in public and population health across the continent.
This fully funded programme is designed to strengthen Africa’s capacity for high-quality, multidisciplinary research. It supports exceptional PhD candidates at CARTA-affiliated universities, with the goal of building a strong African academic community capable of tackling the region’s most pressing health and development challenges.
Fellowship benefits
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Access to world-class mentors from both African and international institutions
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Funding of up to $10,500 covering tuition, research, travel and accommodation
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Support for partner universities to strengthen research environments, supervision quality and administrative systems
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must:
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Be academic or research staff at one of CARTA’s partner institutions
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Be officially nominated by their institution, which must commit to granting time off for full participation
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Hold a Master’s degree
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Be registered for a PhD at a CARTA-affiliated university
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Be under 40 years (men) or 45 years (women) at the time of application
CARTA partner institutions
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University of Ibadan, Nigeria
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Makerere University, Uganda
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University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
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Moi University, Kenya
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University of Rwanda
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African Population and Health Research Center, Kenya
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Agincourt Health and Population Unit, South Africa
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Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania
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Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Malawi
How to apply
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Institutional nomination is required.
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Submit an online application here with the following documents:
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Research concept note
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Academic transcripts
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Letters of support
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Curriculum Vitae (CV)
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Valid identification
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Deadline: August 20, 2025
The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) is offering fully funded PhD Fellowships for 2026 to early-career researchers in public and population health across Africa. This program aims to enhance high-quality, multidisciplinary research capabilities on the continent, supporting scholars at CARTA-affiliated universities to address critical health and development issues in Africa.
The fellowship benefits include access to world-class mentors from African and international institutions, funding up to $10,500 for tuition, research, travel, and accommodation, and support for improving research environments at partner universities. Eligibility criteria require candidates to be academic or research staff at CARTA partner institutions, nominated by their institutions, possess a master’s degree, be registered for a PhD at a CARTA-affiliated university, and be under 40 years (men) or 45 years (women) at application time.
Partner institutions include the University of Ibadan, Makerere University, and the University of the Witwatersrand, among others across Africa. To apply, candidates need an institutional nomination and must submit an online application by August 20, 2025, including a research concept note, academic transcripts, letters of support, CV, and valid identification.
