Deadline:
July 06, 2026
Location(s)
Worldwide
Overview
Applications are invited to the USF’s International Fellowships for urban scholars from the Global South. Each award will cover the cost of a visiting sabbatical period at a host university of the candidate’s choice, for the purpose of writing-up the candidate’s existing research findings in the form of publishable articles, book chapters, and/or books. The proposed work should be completed under the guidance of a chosen Mentor in the candidate’s field of study. Funding is available for a period ranging between three and nine months, and eligible research may cover any urban studies theme pertinent to a better understanding of urban realities within and across the Global South.
Details
The scheme is intended to serve the USF’s over-arching strategic mission to advance global urban studies. Supporting over eighty Fellows from over twenty countries, the scheme has also contributed enormously to the USF’s goals of supporting early-career researchers, strengthening scholarship of the Global South, fostering collaboration, and developing excellent urban research. Through promoting the global exchange and mobility of both individuals and ideas, the scheme also aims to intervene in the production of knowledge in a manner that both champions epistemic justice and elevates new understandings of diverse global realities. In the longer-term, the scheme works towards cultivating the research leadership and capacities of tomorrow.
Beyond supporting the Fellow in achieving their published outputs, the USF expects that prospective Mentors and host organisations should be capably invested in contributing to these wider outcomes and impact of the International Fellowship scheme. This includes demonstrating the value added by the Mentor and host both during and after the Fellowship period, which must include the provision of a stable and productive working environment for the Fellow during their visit. It should also include integrating the Fellow into relevant research communities and networks, ensuring that long-lasting connections can be built to support future collaboration. It is expected that Fellows must be fully released from any existing obligations and/or responsibilities in order to benefit from the time and space that the Fellowship will provide.
Proposed research outputs must be based on existing and completed primary data collection and analysis, and candidates should be ready to write up their findings as academic publications (the grant is not intended to support new primary research projects and/or data collection). The planned outputs should present a clear connection and novel contribution to any topic within urban studies, including but not limited to: climate, development, ecology, finance, governance, housing, migration, mobility, planning, policy, political economy, public health, social equity, sustainability, transport, and technology. Applicants must be familiar with the wider urban studies discipline (including through relevant publications such as the Urban Studies Journal), and be confident that their scholarship can make a significant contribution to the field. This contribution should also expand theoretical and empirical understanding of the major social, economic, political, and other issues associated with the specific development trajectories of cities in the Global South.
Terms
The financial support of the Fellowship is intended to meet accommodation and subsistence needs while staying at the host university, return travel, and assistance towards some research costs. There is also a small budget available for the Mentor to engage with the Fellow’s home institution(s), network(s), and/or research site(s). Short-listed candidates may also apply for a small supplemental grant if they have extra-ordinary costs arising due to caring responsibilities or disability, provided they have contacted the USF in advance of applying to discuss their requirements. Fellowships should begin no earlier than four months after the deadline for applications, and no later than fourteen months after the application deadline.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Eligibility
Applicants must be early-to-mid-career urban scholars holding a PhD awarded within the preceding ten calendar years (by the submission deadline). They must be nationals of any country present on the current OECD DAC list of ODA recipients, and be formally affiliated to/working within a research organisation based in any of these countries.
Candidates must have already completed primary data collection and analysis, and be ready to write-up their findings as academic publications (this award is not intended to support proposals involving new primary data collection or analysis). The work must represent a clear and valuable contribution to the field of urban studies, and proposals outside of this field will not be considered.
Requirements
The candidate is expected to make suitable arrangements to be mentored by a senior urban scholar at their chosen host organisation. They must also research the required budget to support the Fellowship, and be prepared to self-manage the practical aspects of any associated travel. Eligible host organisations may be anywhere worldwide, and Fellowships based in Global South regions are also encouraged.
Dates
Deadline: July 06, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
- The financial support attached to the fellowship will meet accommodation and subsistence needs while staying at the host university, return (economy class) air fare, and assistance towards research costs (including any enrolment fees and other resource costs).
- There is also a small budget available for the mentor to assist the Fellow to meet their intended research aims should this be appropriate. Shortlisted candidates may also apply for a small amount of limited extra-ordinary care costs, for example to support any additional care costs for dependent person(s) incurred during the sabbatical.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
