Applications are now open for the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) Visiting Fellowship Programme, a prestigious opportunity designed to support outstanding African researchers in building international collaborations and advancing independent research projects. The programme offers fellows the chance to engage with world-class scholars at University of Oxford while contributing to impactful academic and policy discussions.

The fellowship runs for 12 months and combines ten months of virtual engagement with a two-month in-person residency in Oxford between May and June 2027, during the Trinity term. Selected fellows will be affiliated with both a department and a college at Oxford, allowing them to fully integrate into the university’s academic environment. Applicants are required to identify and secure an Oxford-based researcher as a collaborator, ensuring meaningful academic exchange and joint research development throughout the fellowship period.

The programme supports researchers across all academic disciplines, with particular encouragement for those whose work contributes to addressing pressing global challenges. Applicants interested in the improving equitable access to healthcare track must propose projects focused on enhancing healthcare access in low- and middle-income countries, while collaborating with relevant Oxford departments. Strong emphasis is placed on building sustainable partnerships that extend beyond the fellowship period.

They strongly encourage applications from female researchers and individuals from underrepresented groups. Previous fellows have gone on to establish long-term collaborations, produce joint publications, influence policy engagement across Africa, and secure significant research funding. The fellowship provides access to Oxford’s extensive academic resources, networks, and expertise, while also offering fellows a platform to contribute meaningfully to the university’s intellectual and social life.

Eligible applicants must be leading researchers based at African institutions with a strong track record of academic excellence and a clear research proposal aligned with the fellowship objectives. Applications for the AfOx Visiting Fellowship Programme close on 15 May 2026, and interested candidates are encouraged to begin early preparations, particularly in identifying a suitable Oxford-based collaborator to strengthen their submission.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity