Applications are now open for the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science African Faculty Fellowship, a two-year programme designed to support researchers applying AI methodologies to significant questions in science and engineering.
The programme provides comprehensive training, joint research funding, and direct access to U-M faculty to help African faculty members develop AI-enabled research and build technical capacity at their home institutions.
Backed by ecosystem partners including Schmidt Sciences and the African Studies Center, and managed by the Michigan Institute for Data and AI in Society (MIDAS) at the University of Michigan, the initiative targets early- and mid-career researchers addressing major scientific challenges.
What successful candidates will get
Selected fellows will receive structured support aimed at advancing their research and preparing them to lead AI-driven initiatives in Africa. They will spend one year in residence at the University of Michigan and one year at their home institution.
Financial & Living Support: Participants will receive a $35,000 annual stipend during their U-M residency, alongside free housing, medical insurance, visa coverage, and round-trip travel to and from Africa.
Research Funding: The programme provides funding for computer and software licenses, conference travel, and research publications. Additionally, U-M faculty hosts receive $40,000 to carry out a joint research project with the fellow.
Expert Mentorship & Training: Fellows will collaborate with a U-M faculty host and gain specialized skills through weeklong AI bootcamps, summer academies, and weekly collaborative “AI carpentries.”
Also Check: Get paid to learn AI: Apply for Bosun Tijani Foundation Gen AI fellowshipFocus Sectors
The programme is open to researchers seeking to use AI methodologies broadly (including machine learning, robotics, Bayesian inference, and simulation) in the following scientific domains:
- Biological and Biomedical Science (excluding treatment discovery)
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Engineering
- Physical Science and Mathematics
Eligibility
Applicants should meet the following criteria:
The candidate must hold a primary appointment as a faculty member at an African university or an equivalent role at an African research organization.
The candidate must hold a PhD degree prior to the July 1, 2027 start date.
The candidate must be an early- or mid-career researcher. Either the PhD conferral or the first faculty-level appointment start date must have been on or after July 1, 2017.
The candidate must submit an Individualized Training, Research, and Impact Plan (I-TRIP) detailing a compelling vision for applying AI to science and developing AI capacity upon returning to Africa.
Programme Timeline
Phase 1 Applications Due: October 5, 2026
Phase 2 Applications Due: November 23, 2026
Cohort Announcement: Early February 2027
Programme Start Date: July 1, 2027
Programme Duration: Two years (one year in Ann Arbor, Michigan; one year in Africa)
The application portal for the 2027 cohort will open on August 17, 2026.
Post-Programme Impact
During the second year of the fellowship, selected researchers will return to their home institutions to implement their impact plans.
Participants are expected to:
- Develop local AI capacity through initiatives like new university classes, local workshops, or regional AI events.
- Facilitate sustained research collaboration and exchange activities between the University of Michigan and African institutions.
- Drive AI-driven research breakthroughs that are particularly impactful for their region.
How to Apply
Interested African faculty members conducting innovative research can apply at the MIDAS African Faculty Fellowship page before the Phase 1 deadline on October 5, 2026.