Next deadline: November 2026
Princeton in Africa (PiAf) is a non-profit affiliate of Princeton University that develops young leaders as they contribute to some of the most impactful organizations on the African continent. In 26 years, this program has placed over 750 Fellows with more than 130 organizations in 37 African countries. Fellows, through their work, have made contributions to Africa’s institutions in the areas of Business and Economic Development, Education & Youth Capacity Building, Public & Community Health, and so much more. PiAf Fellows are placed with host organizations by matching their skills in areas such as communications, program management, grant writing, budgeting, and operations with needs expressed by host organizations, for a mutually beneficial arrangement.
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.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to make an individual advising appointment with Keila Diehl, the Princeton in Africa campus representative.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the 2027–2028 Princeton in Africa Fellowship, general applicants must:
• Be young professionals or current undergraduates graduating by June 2027 at the time of application.*
• Hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or a Ph.D. from a 4-year U.S.-accredited university.
• Have full professional proficiency in speaking, reading and writing English as defined by the CEFR (Level C1 and above). Professional proficiency in French is preferred for some posts.
• Be no older than 35 years of age for the duration of the fellowship year (born on or after September 1, 1992).
• Hold a passport valid through the end of the fellowship year (August 2028).
*Applicants must not be enrolled in any graduate, doctoral, or equivalent advanced academic programs during their fellowship year.
Selection Criteria
Successful candidates are those who seek a transformative experience, want to contribute to their host organization, want to facilitate cultural exchange through relationship building, and demonstrate personal and professional readiness to function effectively in a foreign living and work environment.
PiAf Fellows embody the following values:
Transformation. Fellows are open to being transformed by their work and their relationships with the people with whom they interact abroad.
Immersion. Fellows strive to be citizens of the communities in which they live and work, becoming fully immersed in the life of their host organization and communities.
Relationship building. Fellows build meaningful and long-lasting relationships with their peers, community members, and each other.
Humility. Fellows dedicate themselves to professional service in the organizations where they work and the communities where they live, and approach their daily interactions with respect and understanding.
Mutuality and interdependence. Fellows are both learning from the communities in which they work and teaching people in those communities about what life is like in the United States, fostering cross-cultural understanding and mutual understanding and respect.
Contributing to the community. Fellows endeavor to contribute to their host communities and broader global community by making a lasting difference.
While previous cross-cultural experience can be helpful in preparing a Fellow to transition to foreign living and work environment, it is not essential. PiAf looks for Fellows who have a strong work ethic and are committed to the PiAf experience, who demonstrate the maturity and professionalism necessary to steward cross-cultural relationships, who demonstrate resourcefulness and self-management, and who are adaptable and resilient.
A patient and flexible outlook toward career decisions is also beneficial. PiAf hopes first-year Fellows will seriously consider the possibility of staying a second year, as Fellows’ language and teaching/workplace skills, as well as their cultural awareness, usually improve considerably during a second year on PiAf. Additionally, applicants may choose to apply for a specially-designated two-year fellowship.
Application Requirements
• Online application questionnaires
• Resume or CV (max. 2 pages, font size 10+, PDF format)
• Official transcript (must be in English and sent directly from your university to <piafapp@princetoninafrica.org> via secure online platform or official university email).
• One letter of recommendation (submitted directly by your recommender via online form).
For more information about this opportunity, visit the Princeton in Africa website (opens external site).
