University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars (UMAPS) 2027-2028

Deadline: October 15, 2026

Applications are open for the University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars (UMAPS) 2027-2028. Strengthening African universities is one of the most effective ways to contribute to the continent’s growth and continued excellence. The U-M African Presidential Scholars (UMAPS) program has helped retain and strengthen faculty members working in African institutions of higher education, and empowered them to contribute to international academic networks and set their own research agendas.

The UMAPS Program brings early career faculty from African universities to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Scholars are paired with a faculty collaborator during their stay and have full access to the University of Michigan’s (U-M) resources to further their work on a research project, an academic degree, publications, grant proposal, or other relevant activity. The program supports the development of the next generation of African scholars by integrating them into international academic networks, and promotes U-M’s international commitment to research and teaching collaborations across diverse disciplines, from engineering to literature to economics.

Benefits

Those admitted to the UMAPS Program will receive

A five-month residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, paired with a U-M faculty collaborator and full access to the university’s resources

Round-trip airfare from their home country to Ann Arbor, Michigan

Free housing (a private bedroom and bathroom in a suite setting), medical insurance, a research allowance, and a modest living stipend Important: The UMAPS Program cannot accommodate spouses or dependents. No exceptions can be made.

Office or laboratory space

Opportunity to present research to the U-M community

Eligibility

Be an early-career faculty member who has taught in higher education for fewer than ten years and is currently teaching at a college or university in Africa.

Be employed in an ongoing position at a university or college in Africa.

Be able to demonstrate support from their home institution through an institutional endorsement letter submitted by their department head, dean, or vice chancellor. Applicants may submit their application while the institutional endorsement letter is pending; however, the letter must be received by the application deadline for the application to be considered complete.

Be able to remain in residence in Ann Arbor, Michigan for five months.

Fellows must return to their home country after the conclusion of the program.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary faculty committee at the University of Michigan. Selection will be based on the following:

Academic quality of the candidate and of the proposed program of scholarship

Academic fit of the candidate with others selected in the cycle and with the areas of interest described in the Scholarly Program section below – we hope to facilitate scholarly networks

Programmatic balance across ASC’s three disciplinary initiatives

Support of the candidate’s home institution

Application

In this application cycle, the UMAPS Program accepts direct applications from faculty members teaching at colleges or universities in Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda. Through a partnership with the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies (CMENAS), UMAPS is expanding its reach to North Africa by welcoming direct applications from scholars teaching in Egypt.

Complete the online application form

Upload a curriculum vitae using the online application

Upload a scholarly program/research proposal (not to exceed five pages). Applications from a wide range of disciplines and schools are welcome.

Provide the full name and contact information of the department head, dean, or vice chancellor who will submit the institutional endorsement letter. Applicants may submit their application before the institutional endorsement letter is received, but the letter must be received by the application deadline.

Click here to apply

For more information, visit UMAPS.

Eligibility Be an early-career faculty member who has taught in higher education for fewer than ten years and is currently teaching at a college or university in Africa. Be employed in an ongoing position at a university or college in Africa. Be able to demonstrate support from their home institution through an institutional endorsement letter submitted by their department head, dean, or vice chancellor. Applicants may submit their application while the institutional endorsement letter is pending; however, the letter must be received by the application deadline for the application to be considered complete. Be able to remain in residence in Ann Arbor, Michigan for five months. Fellows must return to their home country after the conclusion of the program.