Faculty fellowshipFunded — stipend + travel

Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program

Heads up — this listing may be outdated. The dates and details below reference a year that has already passed and our editorial team has not re-verified this scholarship is still open. Always confirm the current intake on the sponsor's official website via the button below before you invest time in an application.

The Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP) provided fellowships for educational projects at African higher education institutions. The program is now in its final phase, focusing on strengthening its alumni community and incubating a new entity for future collaboration.

Provider: Institute of International Education / Carnegie Corporation
Host country: Africa
Deadline: Rolling (multiple cohorts per year)
Region: Africa

Official source

Topics

Fellowships

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program is open to African students applying to study in Africa at the Faculty fellowship level, with funded — stipend + travel funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Faculty fellowship · applicants for Africa
Funding: Funded — stipend + travel
Study level: Faculty fellowship
Deadline: Rolling (multiple cohorts per year)

Key eligibility criteria

Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
Currently applying to or enrolled at the Faculty fellowship level
Willing to study in Africa
Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3

See full eligibility criteria ↓

What the funded — stipend + travel award covers

Monthly stipend

About the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (2026)

## Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program: Comprehensive Brief for Prospective Applicants ### Overview The Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP), active from 2013 to 2025, has been a significant initiative providing fellowships for educational projects at African higher education institutions. This program has successfully awarded over 750 grants, enabling scholars to travel to Africa and contribute to its academic landscape. Currently, the CADFP is in its final phase, shifting its focus from new grants to strengthening its alumni network and establishing a new entity to continue collaborative efforts. This reflects the deep and lasting commitment of the Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY) to advancing higher education in Africa. The program’s administration, including application processing, project requests, and fellowship management, is handled by the Institute of International Education (IIE). ### Benefits The CADFP has primarily offered funded fellowships, which included a stipend and support for travel. While the program is no longer accepting new applications for fellowships, its historical benefits highlight a commitment to supporting academic mobility and collaboration. For the over 750 scholars who received grants, the benefits have included the opportunity to engage in educational projects at African higher education institutions, fostering international partnerships and contributing to academic development on the continent. The program's current focus on alumni aims to continue providing value through networking and supporting future collaborative endeavors under a new, successor entity. ### Eligibility The program, in its operational phase (2013-2025), was designed for faculty fellowships. While specific detailed eligibility criteria for past fellowships are not detailed in the provided text, the core requirement was for scholars to engage in educational projects at African higher education institutions. As the program is now in its final phase and not accepting new fellowship applications, the concept of eligibility largely pertains to former fellows who are part of the alumni community that the program is now focused on strengthening. Prospective participants in any future initiatives stemming from the CADFP’s legacy would need to refer to the guidelines of the new entity once it is established. ### Required Documents The provided text does not specify required documents for past fellowship applications, as the program is no longer offering new grants. In its active phase, fellowship applications would typically necessitate a range of documents, including academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, detailed project proposals outlining the educational activities to be undertaken at the host institution, and a curriculum vitae. Given the program's current focus on its alumni and the transition to a new entity, information regarding required documents for any future opportunities will be disseminated by the successor organization. Interested individuals should monitor official channels for updates. ### How to Apply The Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program is currently in its final phase and no longer accepting new applications for fellowships. Over its operational period (2013-2025), applications for fellowships were managed and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The application process historically involved submitting proposals for educational projects at African higher education institutions. For those interested in future collaborations or opportunities under the successor program, it is advisable to connect with the CADFP on social media or email AfricanDiaspora@iie.org to be added to their contact list and receive updates regarding the incubation of the new entity and any subsequent application procedures. ### Key Dates Historically, the CADFP operated with a rolling deadline, indicating that there were multiple cohorts per year for fellowship applications. However, the program officially ran from 2013 through 2025 and is now in its final phase. As of now, there are no new application deadlines for fellowships, as the program is focused on its legacy and the establishment of a new entity. Therefore, prospective applicants interested in academic collaboration in Africa should be aware that the original fellowship opportunities under CADFP have concluded. Any future key dates will be announced by the new organization that emerges from CADFP's incubation efforts. ### Selection Criteria While the specific selection criteria for the CADFP's fellowships are not detailed in the provided text, the program focused on supporting "educational projects at African higher education institutions." This suggests that key criteria would have included the academic merit of the proposed project, its potential impact on the host African institution, the qualifications and expertise of the applying scholar, and the feasibility of the project within the fellowship timeframe. The program aimed to foster collaboration and capacity building. Therefore, projects demonstrating strong potential for knowledge exchange and sustainable partnerships would likely have been highly regarded during the selection process for the more than 750 grants awarded. ### Tips For those who were interested in the CADFP, and for those who might consider future opportunities with the successor program, staying informed is crucial. The program explicitly encourages connecting via social media (Facebook and LinkedIn) and signing up for their contact list by emailing AfricanDiaspora@iie.org. These channels will be the primary source for updates regarding the new entity and its potential offerings. While direct fellowship applications are closed, engaging with the alumni network or expressing interest in future collaborations could be beneficial once the new program is fully launched. Monitor announcements for the new entity's focus, eligibility, and application procedures. ### Official Source For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program, its legacy, and future developments, the official website is the primary resource. The program is managed and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). **Official Website:** [https://www.iie.org/programs/carnegie-african-diaspora-fellowship-program/](https://www.iie.org/programs/carnegie-african-diaspora-fellowship-program/) Additionally, you can connect with the CADFP on social media for news and updates: * **Facebook:** [https://www.facebook.com/CarnegieADF](https://www.facebook.com/CarnegieADF) * **LinkedIn:** [https://www.linkedin.com/company/carnegie-african-diaspora-fellowship](https://www.linkedin.com/company/carnegie-african-diaspora-fellowship) For direct inquiries or to be added to the program's contact list, you can email: * **Email:** [AfricanDiaspora@iie.org](mailto:AfricanDiaspora@iie.org)

What the Funded — stipend + travel Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Monthly stipend

Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program eligibility for Africa applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
Currently applying to or enrolled at the Faculty fellowship level
Willing to study in Africa
Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3
English-language proficiency demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL or an MOI letter
Two academic or professional references able to speak to your potential

Documents required for the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.iie.org/programs/carnegie-african-diaspora-fellowship-program/ and verify your country, level of study and English-language status against the current call. Sponsor rules change between intakes — never rely on third-party summaries alone.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Identify a supervisor whose research aligns with yours, exchange emails, and either obtain a conditional offer or confirmation that they will host your project. Many Institute of International Education / Carnegie Corporation awards require this before the funding application opens.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a focused 1,000–2,000-word research proposal and a separate personal statement. Tailor every paragraph to the sponsor's stated priorities — generic recycled essays are the most common reason strong applicants are rejected.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.iie.org/programs/carnegie-african-diaspora-fellowship-program/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by Rolling (multiple cohorts per year) (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, Institute of International Education / Carnegie Corporation will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Faculty fellowship level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Institute of International Education / Carnegie Corporation, and be able to relocate to Africa for the duration of the programme.

Is the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program fully funded?+

Funding model: Funded — stipend + travel. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is Rolling (multiple cohorts per year). Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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