The Columbia Global Emerging Scholars Fellowship is a lifeline for early-career scholars in the humanities and social sciences who have been displaced by conflict or persecution. By providing a year-long residence at Columbia Global Centers—including the Nairobi center—the program ensures that academic voices from marginalized backgrounds are not silenced. For African researchers currently facing displacement, this fellowship offers the mentorship and resources needed to re-establish a career in global academia.
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold refugee status or be forcibly displaced from their home countries.
- Candidates should be early-career scholars (postdoctoral) or Ph.D. candidates whose education was disrupted.
- Scholars must have received their highest degree within the last 12 years.
- Proficiency in English at an intermediate level is required.
- Applicants must be based in the region of the Global Center they are applying to (e.g., Sub-Saharan Africa for the Nairobi Center).
- Must be able to commit to at least six months of in-person participation at the designated center.
Benefits
- A monthly stipend to support living costs during the fellowship.
- Dedicated mentorship from Columbia University faculty.
- A small research and travel fund to aid scholarly projects.
- Access to specialized training, including academic writing and online courses.
- Full integration into the Columbia Global Centers academic network.
- Workspace and hosting at one of the centers (Amman, Nairobi, or Santiago).
Application Steps
- Prepare a Curriculum Vitae detailing academic and professional achievements.
- Write a personal statement (max 500 words) explaining the motivation and impact of displacement.
- Draft a research proposal (max 600 words) outlining the planned academic work.
- Obtain a letter of recommendation from a previous mentor or colleague.
- Provide official documentation of displaced status (UNHCR ID, Asylum letter, etc.).
- Submit the complete application via the Submittable platform.
Deadlines
- The application deadline is March 19, 2026.
Official Links
- Columbia Global Centers Fellowship: https://globalcenters.columbia.edu/emerging-scholars
