A Princeton in Africa fellowship experience is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for personal and professional development and growth. It is often described as a way to get a foot in the door of the field of development on the African continent. It is also an opportunity to join a growing community of passionate PiAf alumni.
The fellowship experience varies greatly depending on placement and organization. Some Fellows work closely with a supervisor or colleague(s); others work more independently. Some Fellows work in offices that are filled with local staff; others work with a high number of expatriates. Some Fellows live in urban areas like Johannesburg and Nairobi; others are based in very rural areas with limited resources.
No matter the host organization or the location, all fellowships are 12 months long and all Fellows experience support from Princeton in Africa staff, alumni, and other Fellows. Community is a PiAf guarantee.
Eligibility
Please note there are different eligibility requirements for our general/flagship fellowship program and our Nexus program. Please see both sets of eligibility requirements outlined below. Applicants would only be eligible to apply for both programs, if they are currently residing on the African continent, and have a bachelors or postgraduate degree from a U.S. accredited institution AND an African institution.
General/Flagship Fellowship Program Eligibility:
- General applicants must be young professionals or current undergraduates graduating by June 2024 at the time of application.
- General applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or a Ph.D. from a 4-year U.S.-accredited university.
- General applicants must have full professional English proficiency as defined by the U.S. Department of State. Additionally, full professional proficiency in French is preferred at some posts.
- General applicants must be not more than 35 years of age for the duration of the fellowship year (through August 2025).
- General applicants must have a passport valid through the end of the fellowship year (August 2025).
Nexus Program Eligibility:
- Nexus applicants must be young professionals or current undergraduates graduating by June 2024 at the time of application.
- Nexus applicants must have an undergraduate degree or a Master’s degree (or equivalent), or a Ph.D. from an African university.
- Nexus applicants must have full professional English proficiency as defined by the U.S. Department of State. Additionally, full professional proficiency in French is preferred at some posts.
- Nexus applicants must be not more than 35 years of age for the duration of the fellowship year (through August 2025).
- Nexus Applicants must have citizenship in an African country and have current residency in an African country (applicants with dual U.S. citizenship will not be considered)
- Nexus applicants must have citizenship in an African country and have current residency in an African country (applicants with dual U.S. citizenship will not be considered).
Learn more about the Nexus Program
Application Requirements
PiAf cannot accept any application materials emailed directly by applicants, please see below for a list of application materials and how they are to be submitted, you can find additional information regarding this on our website and in the online application.
- (All Applicants) Complete Online Application — submitted via online form linked here
- (All Applicants) Resume or CV — attached to online application, 2 pages max
- (All Applicants) Unofficial transcript — attached to online application (accompanied by an English translation, if necessary). Transcripts must be in English, should be in PDF format and no larger than 256KB.
- (All Applicants) Official transcript — sent directly from your university to piafapp@princetoninafrica.org, additional information in FAQs linked above. Note that PiAf only accepts digital official transcripts that are sent directly from your university to our offices via secure online platform or email (accompanied by an English translation, if necessary).
- (All Applicants) One letter of recommendation — submitted directly by your recommender via online form link here.
- (Nexus Applicants Only) Proof of university enrollment — attached to online application. Must be in English, in PDF format and no larger than 256KB. For this requirement, PiAf will accept any ONE of the following:
- An official enrollment verification document (accompanied by an English translation, if necessary)
- A scanned copy of the applicant’s diploma (accompanied by an English translation, if necessary)
- A letter in English on university letterhead signed by a university administrator or professor indicating the dates of enrollment, degree obtained, and area of study. The university representative’s email and phone number must be included in the letter.
Incomplete Applications will not be accepted. Princeton in Africa cannot confirm the receipt of application materials. We ask that you not call the Princeton in Africa offices. Please send any inquiries to piafapp@princetoninafrica.org.
PLEASE NOTE: As of 9/17/22 Princeton in Africa is no longer requiring applicants to pay a $75 non-refundable application fee.
What else is required?
- If invited, availability for a virtual interview during one of the interview sessions, taking place early January.
Attend our Prospective Applicants Info Session
We will be holding an info session for prospective applicants on September 13th at 12:00PM-1:30 (EST)
Please register in advance for the info session here.
A recording of the session will be sent to the full Princeton in Africa applicant mailing list. Please email piafapp@princetoninafrica.org with any questions.
Timeline:
Fellowships are 12 months long. The fellowships will begin between June and August 2024. You must be prepared to make a 12-month commitment when applying to PiAf.
Fellowship Timeline:
Late August, 2023
Application goes live
Wednesday, Sept 13th 12:00-1:30 PM Eastern
Information Session for prospective applicants
Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 at 11:59 PM Eastern
Application Deadline
Early December, 2023
Applicants notified about interviews
Early January, 2024
Fellowship interviews (conducted virtually)
February-May 2024
Ongoing acceptance and placements
June 6 – 8th, 2024
MANDATORYÂ Orientation
June-August 2024
Fellowships begin
June-August, 2025
Fellowships end
