Grant opportunity
Schmidt AI in Science African Faculty Fellowship 2027
MIDAS will support African faculty researchers for a two-year AI-enabled science fellowship that combines one year in residence at the University of Michigan with one year of research or training activity in Africa.
- Funder
- University of Michigan Institute for Data and AI in Society (MIDAS) / Schmidt Sciences
- Portal opens 17 August 2026; Phase 1 applications close 5 October 2026; Phase 2 closes 23 November 2026
- Portal opens 17 August 2026; Phase 1 applications close 5 October 2026; Phase 2 closes 23 November 2026: Oct 5, 2026
- Award
- USD 35,000 annual stipend, medical insurance, housing, visa fees, Africa-US travel, computing, training, conference and publication support
- Applicant
- Current faculty members at African universities, or researchers in equivalent appointments at African research organisations, who want to use artificial intelligence methods to address significant questions in biological, biomedical, earth, environmental, engineering, physical or mathematical sciences.
- Discipline
- Computer Science, Data and Artificial Intelligence
- Region
- Africa / United States
- Posted
- Aug 3, 2026
Call summary
Overview
The fellowship builds sustained AI-in-science capability in Africa and long-term collaboration between African researchers and University of Michigan scientists.
Who can apply
Applicants must hold a faculty appointment at an African university or an equivalent research appointment in Africa and propose AI-enabled research within an eligible science or engineering domain. Clinical proposals focused on improving disease diagnosis, prevention or treatment are outside scope.
What it supports
- Machine learning, robotics, Bayesian inference, simulation and related AI methods.
- Basic biological and biomedical science, earth and environmental science, engineering, physical science and mathematics.
- Research collaboration, AI skill development and an implementation, training and research-impact plan for Africa.
Funding and duration
- Fellows receive a USD 35,000 annual stipend and medical insurance during residence at Michigan.
- The programme provides housing, visa fees and travel between Africa and Ann Arbor.
- Additional support covers computing and software, conferences, training workshops and publication costs.
Portal opens 17 August 2026; Phase 1 applications close 5 October 2026; Phase 2 closes 23 November 2026
Portal opens 17 August 2026; Phase 1 applications close 5 October 2026; Phase 2 closes 23 November 2026: Oct 5, 2026
How to apply
Prepare for the Phase 1 portal opening on 17 August 2026 and submit the required application package by 5 October. Shortlisted candidates complete Phase 2 by 23 November.
Call details
Source-based overview
The Schmidt AI in Science African Faculty Fellowship enables established African researchers to acquire and apply advanced AI methods while developing sustained collaborations and training activity. Fellows spend a total of twelve months in Ann Arbor and twelve months carrying out research or capacity-building work in Africa over the two-year programme.
Eligibility
Applicants must hold a faculty appointment at an African university or an equivalent research appointment in Africa and propose AI-enabled research within an eligible science or engineering domain. Clinical proposals focused on improving disease diagnosis, prevention or treatment are outside scope.
Funding and benefits
Fellows receive a USD 35,000 annual stipend and medical insurance during residence at Michigan.
The programme provides housing, visa fees and travel between Africa and Ann Arbor.
Additional support covers computing and software, conferences, training workshops and publication costs.
Themes and supported activities
Machine learning, robotics, Bayesian inference, simulation and related AI methods.
Basic biological and biomedical science, earth and environmental science, engineering, physical science and mathematics.
Research collaboration, AI skill development and an implementation, training and research-impact plan for Africa.
Deadline and timeline
Portal opens 17 August 2026; Phase 1 applications close 5 October 2026; Phase 2 closes 23 November 2026: Portal opens 17 August 2026; Phase 1 applications close 5 October 2026; Phase 2 closes 23 November 2026: Oct 5, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Prepare for the Phase 1 portal opening on 17 August 2026 and submit the required application package by 5 October. Shortlisted candidates complete Phase 2 by 23 November.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.