African STARS Fellowship Programme 2026

Are you a young Nigerian or African student with a strong interest in science, health, and innovation?

The Africa STARTS is now accepting an applications from interested and qualified africans for its 2026 Fellowship ATT and YPP.

The 2026 Africa STARS Fellowship Programme provides fully funded scholarships and fellowship opportunities for African students in areas such as genomics, biomedical research, and biotechnology.

The fellowship is designed by the Mastercard Foundation, this prestigious initiative is designed to nurture future leaders in pandemic preparedness, health innovation, and technology-driven entrepreneurship.

Students who seeking a high impact opportunities across Africa, the Africa STARS Fellowship offers a powerful pathway to build skills and launch a successful career in critical scientific and innovation focused fields.

About the Programme

Africa is the fastest-growing and fastest-growing youth economy in the world, with a workforce expected to surpass one billion in the coming years. At the same time, the continent is facing a significant burden of disease outbreaks, highlighting the urgent need to develop skilled workers for preparedness and response.

The Africa STARS Fellowship Program aims to develop the next generation of African leaders in genomics, research, biotechnology, and new biotechnologies. Fellows will gain experience in Africa’s most advanced and advanced technologies.

Type Fellowship Tracks

There is two tracks under this African STARTS Fellowship Programme. The tracks includes the following:

1. ATT (Advanced and Translational Training) Fellowship will take for a period of 4 months

2. YPP (Young Professional Programme) (YPP) Fellowship will take for a period of 12 months.

African STARTS 2026 Fellowship Summary

Sponsored: MasterCard Foundation

Host: African STARTS

Fellowship Name: African STARS Fellowship ATT and YPP

Age Limit: 35 years or younger

Experience: At least 3 years and above

Eligible Countries: All African Countries

Application Portal: African STARTS

Fellowship Benefits: Covering all expenses, Training, Monthly Stipends, Mentorship, Placement and Membership Subscription.

Application Deadline: January 31th, 2026

African STARS Fellowship ATT and YPP Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the program, participants must have the following eligibility criteria:

Must be a citizens or residents in Africa
Must be between 18-35 years old.
Must have a relevant postgraduate qualification with a minimum of Masters degree or PhD.
Must have a minimum of 3 years in innovation, research or industry experience for ATT Track Candidates.
Must have a minimum of 5 years experience of innovation, research management or commercialization (prior experience in biotech startups, innovation hubs, or translational research is an added advantage) for YPP Track Candidates.
Must demonstrate excellence in biology, research, biotechnology, or vaccine development
Must have a strong leadership potential and commitment to building scientific capacity in Africa
Must be a residence in Africa to contribute to local scientific, business, and public health initiatives.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Must have Proficiency and Fluency in English or French.

Benefits of African STARS Fellowship ATT and YPP

The fellowship covers the following benefits:

1. Fully Funded: Participants will access to have a comprehensive training support, covering travel arrangements, visa assistance, and accommodation

2. Monthly Stipends: Participates will receive a monthly allowance to support living and personal expenses

3. Mentorship: Participates will access to a mentorship and structured career development guidance

4. Placement Opportunities: Participates may have access to opportunities for placement at top research institutions, technology hubs, and industry partners

5. Membership: Participates will become a membership in African largest STARS network, enabling ongoing collaboration, networking, and professional growth.