CARTA PhD Fellowships 2026: Opportunities for African Researchers

Applications are now open for the CARTA PhD Fellowships 2026, a prestigious program by the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA). This fellowship supports early-career academics in conducting doctoral research in public and population health. With a deadline of August 20, 2025, the program offers 22 awards to staff members of African partner institutions.

It is a partially funded fellowship, providing a stipend, research funds (up to $10,500), a laptop, and structured training for 28 months. Eligible applicants must be teaching or research staff at specified African institutions, with men under 40 and women under 45 years old. There is no application fee, but institutional support, including salary continuation and fee waivers, is required. Women are strongly encouraged to apply to promote gender equity. You can also check more PhD positions here

Key Details

• Field: Public and Population Health
• Number of Awards: 22
• Application Deadline: August 20, 2025, 23:59 hours EAT
• Funding: Partially funded (28-month stipend, up to $10,500 research funds, laptop, training)
• Application Fee: None
• Full Application Deadline (for nominees): September 21, 2025

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the CARTA PhD Fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Be a bona fide teaching or research staff member at one of the participating African institutions (listed below).
• Be in the early stages (first year) of a PhD program or not yet registered for a PhD.
• Propose a PhD research topic related to public and population health.
• Men must be under 40 years, and women must be under 45 years at the time of application.
• Commit to attending Joint Advanced Seminars (JAS) and inter-seminar activities.
• Have institutional support, including:
  • Continued salary payment during the fellowship.
  • A supportive work environment for PhD studies and CARTA activities.
  • A fee waiver for PhD registration at the employing institution or a trusted partner university.

Important: Students, volunteer lecturers, or temporary staff not covered by staff development policies are not eligible. Applicants with approved PhD proposals or seeking to complete an existing PhD are also ineligible.

Must apply for this: OIST Fully Funded PhD Program 2025/2026

Eligible African Institutions

The following institutions are eligible to nominate candidates:

• African Population and Health Research Center, Kenya
• Agincourt Health and Population Unit, South Africa
• Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania
• Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Malawi (and associates)
• Makerere University, Uganda
• Moi University, Kenya
• Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
• University of Ibadan, Nigeria
• University of Nairobi, Kenya
• University of Rwanda, Rwanda
• University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Study in Switzerland: CYD Doctoral Fellowships in Switzerland 2025

Fellowship Support

The CARTA PhD Fellowship provides the following support for 28 months:

• Structured Training Programs: Including residential Joint Advanced Seminars (JAS) 1 and 2, and a 7-month online inter-JAS academic writing course.
• Laptop: Provided to each fellow.
• Modest Stipend: For living expenses during the 28-month period.
• Research Funds: Up to $10,500, subject to budget availability, for implementing the proposed research project and engaging stakeholders.

Note: The fellowship does not cover registration fees, subsistence, or travel support for fellows registered outside their home institution. Continued support depends on meeting CARTA’s progress and reporting milestones.

Study in Australia: Australian Government RTP Scholarships at University of New England

Application Process

Step 1: Initial Application

• Contact your institution’s CARTA focal person to discuss your interest and obtain application materials. (see details on official website for CARTA focal persons)
• Submit the initial application form and reference letters via the REDCap system (link below) by August 20, 2025, 23:59 hours EAT.
• Focus on securing required documents and institutional support. Research proposals can be refined later.

Study in Austria: AITHYRA-CeMM PhD Program in Austria

Step 2: Nomination and Full Application

• CARTA partner institutions will nominate candidates for the full application process.
• Nominated candidates must submit the following by September 21, 2025:
  • Full research proposal
  • Updated CV
  • Letter of support from the institution, confirming workload adjustments and fee waivers
  • Completion of three timed tasks:
    • Critical review of a scientific article
    • Numeracy task
    • Critical thinking task
  • Completion of two free online courses:
    • Understanding Plagiarism
    • Basic Health Research Ethics
• Applications must be submitted through the official portal, and late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.