Applications are now open for the 2026 Urban Studies Foundation (USF) International Fellowships, designed for urban scholars from the Global South. The program supports a sabbatical period at a host university of the applicant’s choice, offering time and resources to develop existing research into publishable academic outputs, such as articles, book chapters, or books.

Fellows will work under the mentorship of a scholar in their field, with funding available for periods ranging from three to nine months. Research themes should relate to urban studies and contribute to a deeper understanding of urban dynamics in and across the Global South.

This fellowship scheme aligns with the Urban Studies Foundation’s mission to strengthen global urban scholarship and promote epistemic justice. With over 70 Fellows supported from more than 20 countries, the program nurtures early-career researchers, enhances academic networks, and promotes long-term capacity building in urban research.

Successful applicants must have already completed primary data collection and analysis and be ready to produce academic publications.

Topics can include climate, development, finance, housing, migration, health, governance, and technology, provided they make meaningful contributions to urban studies. Host institutions and mentors are expected to provide active support for the Fellow’s research and integration into local academic communities, fostering lasting collaboration.

Fellowship Details

• Application Deadline: 6 July 2026 at 23:59 UTC+0
• Funding Type: Fully-funded
• Organizer:  Urban Studies Foundation (USF)
• Eligible Countries: OECD DAC list of ODA recipients (Global South)
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Early-to-mid-career urban scholars
• Focus Areas: Urban studies
• Duration: 3 to 9 months
• Program Language: English
• Host Country: Host institution chosen by applicant

Benefits

Covering the costs of a stay period for conducting research, which ranges between 3-9 months, the fellowship provides:

• Accommodation
• Subsistence costs
• Return travel cost (economy class)
• Research expense allowance
• Small budget for the mentor to assist the fellow in better performing the research project (if appropriate)

Eligibilities

Candidates who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for the USF Fellowship:

• Fellows must be early-to-mid-career urban scholars.
• Hold a PhD awarded within the past 10 years (by the deadline).
• Be a national of an OECD DAC-listed ODA recipient country.
• Be affiliated with a research organization in one of these countries.
• Have completed primary data collection and analysis.
• Be ready to publish findings as academic outputs in urban studies.
• Proposals must focus on urban studies; other fields are not eligible.

Additional Requirements:

• Arrange mentorship with a senior urban scholar at a chosen host institution.
• Prepare a realistic budget for the Fellowship.
• Manage travel and logistics independently.
• Host institutions can be located globally (Global South encouraged).

Eligible countries: 

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China (People’s Republic of), Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank and Gaza Strip, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How to apply?

• Complete the online application form by the deadline.

• Use the provided application template (.docx) for offline preparation (recommended).

Apply Now

Notes:

• All applicants must complete a separate anonymous Equality & Diversity survey (not used in evaluations).
• Results are communicated within 12 weeks after the deadline.
• No individual feedback is provided; decisions are final.
• Review all supporting documents (Further Particulars, FAQ, Guidance).
• Questions? Email: grants@urbanstudiesfoundation.org

Application materials

Your application must include:

• Applicant Info: Contact details, education, academic roles, short career statement, proof of nationality, and two referees’ contacts.
• Fellowship Information: Planned dates, mentorship details, and host organisation details.
• Budget: Include all cost items and provide evidence for any item exceeding £500.
• Research Proposal: Summary of the research, outputs, reasons for host choice, and mentor’s role.
• Mentor Letter: A signed letter confirming mentorship and host suitability (max two pages).
• CVs:
  • Applicant CV (max three pages, with publications and achievements).
  • Mentor’s short CV (max three pages, including mentoring experience).

For more information about the fellowship particulars and guidelines, please refer to the attached document. Both applicants and mentors should also visit the official link.

Attachments:

• Further particulars
• Guidance for Host Organizations and Mentors 
• Application Template 
• FAQs

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