Urban Studies Foundation International Fellowships 2026

Overview

The Urban Studies Foundation International Fellowship funds early-to-mid-career urban scholars from the Global South for a 3-to-9-month research residency at a host institution in the UK or Europe. The fellowship is fully funded, covering accommodation, living costs, return travel, and a contribution to research costs. Fellows publish their work and participate in the USF research network. Deadline: 6 July 2026 at 23:59 UTC.

The programme specifically targets scholars permanently based in countries on the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list of ODA recipients. It aims to counter the structural barriers that prevent talented urban researchers in the Global South from building international collaborations and publishing in leading journals.

Benefits

• Full funding of accommodation and subsistence at the host institution.
• Return economy airfare to and from the host country.
• A contribution toward research costs, with a justified budget submitted by the applicant (evidence required for items above GBP 500).
• Access to the USF network of leading urban studies scholars.
• Support for publication in peer-reviewed journals during and after the fellowship.

Eligibility

• Must hold a PhD awarded within the preceding 10 calendar years (before the July 2026 deadline).
• Must be a national of a country on the current OECD DAC ODA list.
• Must be formally affiliated with and working in a research organisation based in an ODA-listed country. Scholars based in high-income territories are not eligible even if their country is associated with the ODA list.
• Must have a confirmed host institution in the UK, Europe, or another African or Asian country with a named academic sponsor.
• Research proposal must focus on urban studies, urbanism, or a closely related social-science field.

How to Apply

1. Read the full guidance documents on the USF website at the source link above.
2. Identify a host institution and obtain a written letter of support from an academic sponsor there.
3. Prepare a research proposal, a CV, and a detailed budget (including exchange rate evidence where applicable).
4. Submit the complete application through the online portal by 6 July 2026 at 23:59 UTC.
5. Results are communicated approximately 3 months after the deadline.