AfOx Visiting Fellowship Programme
The AfOx Visiting Fellowship Programme is designed to allow exceptional African researchers to build international networks and focus on a project of their choice in collaboration with Oxford-based scholars
Fellows will be affiliated with the University of Oxford for 12 months, including ten months of virtual engagement and a two month in-person visit to Oxford between April to June (Trinity term). During the Fellowship, AfOx Fellows are associated with a Department and a College within the University. To apply for a fellowship, all applicants must have an Oxford-based researcher named as their collaborator on their application.
AfOx fellowships are offered through a range of partnerships which are listed below. To apply for the fellowship please read the partner description below and align your application to the partners.
Applicants for the improving equitable access to healthcare fellowship can apply to work with a collaborator in any Oxford department but will need to have a project in the area of improving equitable access to healthcare in low- and middle-income countries.
We strongly encourage applications from female and underrepresented researchers. AfOx fellows have developed long-term partnerships with colleagues in Oxford, which have led to significant research outcomes, including joint publications, new research projects, breakthroughs in engagement with African policy-makers and substantial research funding. Through the programme, African scholars have made significant contributions to the intellectual and social life of Oxford while simultaneously gaining opportunities for accessing the range of resources, knowledge and expertise in the University. Click here to read more about our fellows.
Applications are now closed
Providing opportunities for multidisciplinary collaborations
About the Fellowship Programme
Advice for Fellowship applicants
Some of our fellows and collaborators in Oxford have offered advice on the process of building a collaboration, which can be accessed here:
During my tenure, I completed a structured study analysing the suitability of implementing genomic research in Liberia- the first study of its kind for Liberia. I collaborated with a colleague at the University of Oxford to submit two competitive grant applications on public health emergencies and outbreak response. Most importantly, I was able to explore and identify common research priorities and capacity strengthening opportunities for collaborations among my colleagues from Sub-Saharan Africa, primarily West Africa.
Dr. Stephen B. Kennedy, Senior AfOx Visiting Fellow
AfOx Visiting Fellowship Partners
A number of the AfOx fellowships are offered in collaboration with key partners at the University of Oxford. These include TORCH, Oxford Department for International Development, The Law Faculty, The Mathematical Institute, The Refugee Studies Centre, the African Studies Centre, Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Corpus Classical Fellowship and Improving Equitable Access to Healthcare.
This AfOx Mathematics fellowship aims to connect a research-active mathematician based at an African institution to faculty based at the Mathematical Institute at the University of Oxford. The Mathematical Institute is one of the leading mathematics departments in the world, with strengths in research across the spectrum of fundamental and applied mathematics. It holds a silver Athena Swan award to recognise advancement of gender equality, and aims to provide an inclusive environment in which all can thrive and achieve their full potential.
Applications are open to researchers with existing research interests compatible with those of the Mathematical Institute current faculty. Applicants must clearly state which one of the Mathematical Institute research groups they feel is closest to their work. While in Oxford the AfOx Mathematics Fellow will work with faculty within the Institute and across other disciplines where appropriate, to develop research ideas, projects and events. This can include research papers, ideas for co-led projects, future joint research developments.
The AfOx Mathematics Fellow will be welcomed into the research community at the Institute and supported to develop longer-term research connections.
ODID draws on its unique strengths – the exceptional range and depth of disciplinary and regional expertise and extensive connections to networks across the Global South – to generate academically rigorous research into the underlying structures and overarching processes of development. Drawing on this deep scholarship, ODID researchers seek to forge new ways of thinking about development that can help improve the lives of ordinary people, whether by informing policy at the highest level or by changing practice on the ground.
The AfOx-Law fellowships target academics holding a full-time position at an African academic institution. The fellowships are aimed at academics with a clearly defined research agenda, the pursuit of which would be enhanced by spending time visiting Oxford as an AfOx fellow. In line with the ordinary requirements for AfOx visiting fellowships, applicants will have to identify an Oxford-based researcher as a collaborator.
Oxford University’s African Studies Centre is one of the world’s leading centres of African Studies. With particular strengths in the Social Sciences and the Humanities, the Centre enjoys a reputation for high quality, relevant research that plays a leading role in academic debates as well as public policy. Read more about the African Studies Centre here.
The AfOx-ASC fellowship provides opportunities for Africa-based scholars to spend time away from teaching and other obligations with the benefit of using the vast resources available in Oxford University for research, writing, mentoring in collaboration with an Oxford-based scholar.
The fellows are expected to make a presentation of the draft work during or at the end of the fellowship at a ‘writing workshop’ where Oxford-based scholars will provide critical feedback for publication. Applications are encouraged from candidates in every region of Africa.
Launched in May 2013, The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH) is a world-leading centre for interdisciplinary research. Based in the University of Oxford’s Humanities Division, TORCH brings together Oxford researchers with a wide range of internal and external partners for impactful collaborations designed to meet local, national and global challenges. In seeking to connect Oxford researchers with other organisations globally, TORCH supports Fellowships that bring researchers from overseas to Oxford. It is particularly keen to support those from under-represented backgrounds to broaden inclusivity across the University. Read more about TORCH here.
Applications are open to researchers with interdisciplinary projects from a broad range of research areas in the Humanities. The Fellow will be based in Oxford during Trinity term and work with Oxford researchers in the Humanities, and across other disciplines where appropriate, to develop their research ideas. This can include research papers, events, co-led projects, and future joint research developments in the area of Humanities. Examples of priority areas of research are environmental humanities, medical humanities, intersectional humanities, race and resistance, digital humanities, performance and cultural heritage. The Fellow will be welcomed into the Oxford research community at TORCH and the Humanities Division, with a view to develop longer-term research connections where possible.
The Refugee Studies Centre (RSC) undertakes research, teaching, and outreach relating to Refugee and Forced Migration Studies. It supports multidisciplinary, independent and critical scholarship on the causes, consequences, and responses to, forced displacement. It has a particular focus on Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, supports students and scholars with lived experience of displacement. The Centre seeks to engage with policy and practice, locally, nationally, and globally.
Applications are open to researchers who undertake independent, multidisciplinary, academic research on the causes, consequences, and responses to forced migration. We particularly welcome applications which challenge common assumptions and understandings related to forced migration, with important implications for public debate, policy, and practice. Scholars at the Refugee Studies Centre work cross a range of disciplines, including anthropology, economics, geography, history, law, politics, and international relations.
This scheme aims to bring an African scholar in classical studies to Oxford. It is open to earlier career scholars in any branch of classical studies who hold a permanent post in an African university; we particularly encourage application from scholars who are still engaged in studying for a PhD. Corpus Christi College will make the fellow a Visiting Member of their Centre for the Study of Greek and Roman Antiquity and provide free weekday lunches for the duration of their visit.
These fellowships aim to connect researchers based at an African institution to any department of the University of Oxford so that they may collaborate on a project in the area of improving equitable access to healthcare in low- and middle-income countries.
As described by Wellcome (which provides the funding for this strand of fellowships), the barriers to equitable access include inadequate healthcare systems, lack of infrastructure, pricing practices, and sub-optimal regulatory and procurement processes. Any application for a project that aims to address one or more of these barriers, or other causes of inequality in global access to healthcare, will be in scope for these fellowships.
While in Oxford the visiting Fellow will work with their collaborating department and across other disciplines where appropriate, to develop research ideas, projects and events. This can include research papers, ideas for co-led projects and future joint research developments.
As an AfOx-PSI Fellow, you will be part of an interdisciplinary research institute that is confronting the challenges of epidemic and pandemic infectious diseases. We welcome applications from colleagues based at an African institution and working on any aspect of pandemic sciences research, from vaccinology and epidemiology to policy and ethics.
This fellowship aims to further develop connections between academics across Africa and faculty based at the Pandemic Sciences Institute (PSI).
AfOx-PSI Fellows will also have the opportunity to cooperate with the Africa Pandemic Sciences Collaborative, a multi-year partnership between the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation), PSI and the Mastercard Foundation. Through world-class research and strong mentorship from senior African academics, the Collaborative seeks to nurture an emerging generation of young African scientists, helping strengthen the continent’s health ecosystem and its pandemic preparedness and response capabilities.
Oxford Cancer is a city-wide network and partnership between Oxford University and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust based on the University’s Translational Biomedical Research Campus. It harnesses Oxford’s world-leading cancer research from across disciplines, with the core aim of facilitating collaboration on a local, national and international scale to ensure rapid translation from scientific discovery to treatments for patients.
Fellowship opportunity
This fellowship looks to connect a research-active academic based at an African institution with faculty within the Oxford Cancer network. We welcome applications from individuals with existing research interests that are compatible with any of Oxford Cancer’s four cancer themes:
• Immuno-oncology
• Early Detection and/or Prevention
• Cancer Big data
• Novel Therapeutics
The AfOx Oxford Cancer Fellow will work with faculty across disciplines, where appropriate, to develop research ideas and projects. This could include co-led projects, research papers and future joint research developments. The Fellow would be welcomed into the Oxford Cancer network and supported as part of the research community during their fellowship, with a view to develop a longer-term relationship and collaboration.
The Oppenheimer Fund was established thanks to a generous bequest from Mr H F Oppenheimer. The Fund’s aim is to support academic exchanges between the University of Oxford and universities in South Africa. The Oppenheimer Fund contributes up to four fellowships per academic year, in collaboration with the Africa-Oxford Initiative. All recipients of funding from the Oppenheimer Fund will demonstrate their commitment to Africa’s development.
Applications are invited for the annual AfOx Ethox Fellowship. The scheme is open to African researchers with interdisciplinary projects from a broad range of research areas in bioethics. The Fellow will be based in Oxford during Trinity term (May and June) and work with Oxford researchers in bioethics, and across other disciplines where appropriate, to develop research ideas, projects and events. This can include research papers, ideas for co-led projects, and future joint research developments in bioethics. Example areas of priority include but not limited to pandemic sciences, climate and AI. To apply for a fellowship, all applicants must have an Ethox-based researcher named as their collaborator on their application. The Fellow will be welcomed into the Oxford community at Ethox and supported as part of the research community during their fellowship, with a view to develop a longer-term research connection.
Established in 1998, the Ethox Centre at the University of Oxford is a multidisciplinary bioethics research centre focused on improving ethical standards in healthcare practice and medical research through education, research, and ethics support. Its creation built on earlier work in ethics teaching and practice at Oxford, and it has grown into a hub for high-impact bioethics scholarship and global engagement. A key part of its work is the Global Health Bioethics Network, which focuses on the ethics of health research and interventions in low- and middle-income settings through long-term, collaborative partnerships across Africa, Asia, and beyond. Recognising the shared values and complementary strengths of AfOx and Ethox, this Visiting Fellowships aims to support early-mid career African scholars working in bioethics, global health, and related fields; who are working in African institutions.
During my enriching time at Oxford, my access to the Bodleian Library's archival materials allowed me deep dives into the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, enhancing my understanding significantly. Affiliated with the Oxford Department of International Development and Wolfson College, I enjoyed the supportive community, discussing research and teaching with both students and academics. A highlight was launching my book, 'Sisters in the Struggle, Women of Indian origin in South Africa’s Liberation Struggle, vol. 1' at St Cross, Oxford, connecting with publishers, students, academics, and South Africans in Oxford.
Frequently Asked Questions for Fellowship Applicants
Yes. You are required to enter the details of the proposed Oxford host academic and the department at which you intend to undertake your fellowship in the application.
Please note: applicants must find a collaborator who is already attached to the research institute to which they are applying. The two exceptions to this are the TORCH Fellowship (which accepts a collaborator based in any of the humanities departments at Oxford) and the Improving Equitable Access to Healthcare Fellowship (any Oxford collaborator working in a relevant area).
The Oxford collaborators will host the fellows in their respective departments and provide academic support during the fellowship. AfOx will provide the funding, logistics and social support before and during the fellowship The Oxford host will be required to send a statement of support indicating their willingness to be the academic contact during the fellowship. It should be in PDF format, on headed paper, and signed. Any applications received whose statements do not match these criteria will be considered ineligible.
Please note prospective fellows must engage with and agree on the proposed project with Oxford collaborators before making the application. Applications sent without the consent and support letter from the proposed Oxford host will be immediately disqualified.
You may already have established links or, alternatively, can search the AfOx database for potential collaborators and contact them before making the application. Please engage with and agree on the proposed project and timelines with your Oxford host before making the application. Applications sent without the consent and support letter from the proposed Oxford host will be immediately disqualified.
When developing new relationships with colleagues in Oxford we suggest a good way of making contact is to;
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Introducing yourself and the AfOx fellowship you are applying for.
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Include a paragraph outlining your proposed project
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Explain how this intersects with your proposed collaborators research interests.
We have created a webinar on how to approach a potential collaborator.
No, there is no limit on the number of applications Oxford collaborator can support.
No, you cannot apply for a Fellowship if you have an existing affiliation at the University of Oxford. Submission of an application by a candidate currently affiliated with the University of Oxford will automatically disqualify the applicant.
The application should be completed by the prospective visiting fellow. Applications will not be considered until a statement from the Oxford academic host/collaborator has been received.
Fellows will be affiliated with the University of Oxford for 12 months starting in October 2025 and running until September 2026. This includes 10 months of virtual engagement during which fellows will have remote access to resources available at Oxford University for research, writing, and strengthening research leadership skills. A 2 month in-person visit to Oxford will be held during Trinity term (May-June 2026).
During the 10 months of virtual engagement fellows will have remote access to resources available at Oxford University including library access and support to strengthening research leadership skills.
During the in-person fellowship selected Fellows will be provided with accommodation. A temporary University card for access to the University and college buildings and temporary membership to the host college’s Senior Common Room will be granted for the period of residency. The fellowship will also include return economy flight ticket, airport transfer, visa fee and a maintenance allowance for incidental expenses during the residence (up to £250 per week according to University guidelines).
Fellows will be affiliated with the University of Oxford for 12 months, including 10 months of virtual engagement and a 2 month in-person visit to Oxford during Trinity term.
AfOx will send supporting documents for visa application to successful applications, but it is the responsibility of the applicant to make a timely visa application and ensure that they meet all other requirements.
We will not support express visa applications.
The visa fee and related expenses will be reimbursed upon arrival in Oxford.
You can only apply via the Fellowship page. Email applications will not be considered.
Successful applicants will be contacted no later than two months from the application closing date. If you have not heard back from us within two months please assume your application was unsucccesful. We will not be able to provide individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
You are eligible to apply if you are a national of any African country or have indefinite leave to remain in any African country. You must also have a position in an African university/research institution domiciled in an African country and are a legal resident in the host country of your institution.
Our database only includes Oxford collaborators who have already signed onto it. You are welcome to identify a suitable collaborator from their University of Oxford webpage and contact them directly.
No, you can only apply for one fellowship. Submission of multiple applications will automatically disqualify the applicant.
The application process allows one to make changes to the application while it is still in draft form and to save it on the platform until a later time or date when one is ready to submit. An application can no longer be edited once it has been submitted.
No, the AfOx fellowship includes both the virtual and in-person elements and the selected fellows will be required to participate in both.
Frequently Asked Questions for Fellowship Collaborators
No. The main aim of the visiting fellowships is to foster the development of new collaborations and while it may support existing research links, it is not intended to be used as alternative additional support for already established collaborations or ongoing projects.
The department will be required to provide work space, building access and library services for the fellow. AfOx will take charge of all the logistics for the fellows including travel, accommodation and stipend.
If you have any questions please email us at afox@ndm.ox.ac.uk