Abroad Award
Term Length: 1 Year
US Citizenship Not Required

• General applicants must be young professionals or current undergraduates graduating by June 2026 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 proficiency in speaking, reading and writing English as defined by the CEFR (Level C1 and above). Additionally, 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 2027). General applicants for the 2026-27 fellowship year must have a birthdate that falls on or after September 1, 1991.
• General applicants must have a passport valid through the end of the fellowship year (August 2027).

*General applicants must not be enrolled in any graduate, doctoral, or equivalent advanced academic programs during their fellowship year.

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.

PiA 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. PiA looks for Fellows who have a strong work ethic and are committed to the PiA 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. PiA 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 PiA. Additionally, applicants may choose to apply for a specially-designated two-year fellowship.

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.

The Princeton in Africa experience is an investment on the part of each Fellow, each fellowship organization, and Princeton in Africa. The following funding arrangements are in place.

Fellows cover:

• $350 program placement fee upon acceptance of a post
• Round-trip airfare to and from post in their host country.
• Pre-departure medical expenses (immunizations, malaria prevention meds, personals meds, visit for completing medical release form)
• Depending on post, Fellow may contribute to visa or work permit costs
  Note: PiAf is committed to ensuring all applicants are able to participate in the program regardless of financial need. Once placed, there is an available financial aid application for Fellows with demonstrated need. Applicants with demonstrated need upon completion of their application should reach out directly to piafapp@princetoninafrica.org.

Princeton in Africa/Fellowship Organizations cover*:

• Housing and living stipend
• Certain visas/work permits
• Medical insurance, medical evacuation insurance, security evacuation insurance
• Mid-year Retreat partial travel allowance and meals/housing
  *Fellowship packages vary post-to-post: details will be provided in the offer letter prior to a Fellows acceptance

Note: Fellowship stipends are to cover living costs directly related to the fellowship. Stipends are not meant to cover outside costs, including costs in Fellows’ home countries.

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.

• (All Applicants) Complete Online Application — submitted via online form.
• (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. Note that PiAf only accepts digital official transcripts that are sent directly from your university 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.
• (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.