Deadline: 06-Jul-2026
The Urban Studies Foundation International Fellowships 2026 support early-to-mid career urban scholars from Global South countries to undertake a 3–9 month sabbatical at a host institution anywhere in the world. The fellowship focuses on transforming completed research into high-quality academic outputs such as journal articles, books, or monographs, while strengthening global academic collaboration. It is designed for researchers with completed PhDs who are ready to advance publication and international research leadership.
The fellowship does not fund new fieldwork or data collection. Instead, it enables scholars to consolidate existing research into publishable outputs and build international academic networks through mentorship and institutional collaboration.
Overview of the Fellowship
The Urban Studies Foundation (USF) International Fellowships 2026 aim to strengthen urban studies research capacity in the Global South by supporting scholars in a dedicated writing and dissemination period.
Key objectives include:
- Converting completed research into academic publications
- Strengthening urban studies scholarship in Global South contexts
- Promoting international academic collaboration
- Supporting research leadership development
- Encouraging knowledge exchange across regions
- Building long-term academic networks
Research Themes Covered
Eligible research areas include (but are not limited to):
- Climate and environmental change
- Urban development and planning
- Housing and inequality
- Migration and mobility
- Governance and political economy
- Public health in urban contexts
- Infrastructure and transport systems
- Urban finance and development policy
- Technology and digital cities
- Sustainability and ecology
- Social equity and inclusion
Fellowship Duration and Scope
- Duration: 3 to 9 months
- Purpose: Writing and publication of completed research
- Outputs: Journal articles, books, monographs, or book chapters
- Mode: Full-time physical residency at host institution (remote participation is not allowed)
- Restriction: No new research or fieldwork permitted during fellowship
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- National of a country listed on the OECD DAC (Development Assistance Committee) ODA recipient list
- Currently residing in an eligible ODA-recipient country
- Affiliated with a university, higher education institution, or research organization in an eligible country
- Hold a PhD awarded within the last 10 years (career break extensions may apply)
- Have completed primary data collection and analysis
- Not have previously received an USF International Fellowship
Host Institution Requirements
Applicants must secure a host institution before applying.
The host may be located in:
- A Global South country, or
- A Global North country
The host institution must:
- Provide academic support and research environment
- Offer relevant scholarly networks and collaboration opportunities
- Be suitable for the applicant’s research focus
Applicants must justify why the selected host is appropriate for their work.
Mentorship Requirement
Each Fellow must identify a qualified academic mentor who:
- Has expertise in the relevant research field
- Provides guidance on publication and academic output
- Supports integration into the host institution’s research environment
Funding Coverage
The fellowship provides financial support for costs directly related to the sabbatical, including:
- Travel expenses
- Accommodation
- Living costs (food and daily expenses)
- Visa fees
- Health or travel insurance
- Research-related resources (as justified)
Additional limited support may be available for:
- Childcare costs (in exceptional cases)
- Disability-related expenses (subject to approval)
How It Works
- Confirm eligibility based on nationality, PhD status, and research completion
- Identify and secure a host institution
- Select a suitable academic mentor
- Develop a publication-focused fellowship proposal
- Submit application through the official Urban Studies Foundation application process
- If selected, relocate to host institution for 3–9 months
- Complete publication outputs during fellowship period
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Proposing new fieldwork instead of publication-focused work
- Not securing a confirmed host institution or mentor
- Choosing an unrelated or weakly justified host organization
- Applying without completed research data
- Ignoring eligibility criteria such as PhD timeline or nationality requirements
- Submitting unclear or non-publication-focused objectives
Why This Fellowship Matters
This fellowship plays a key role in:
- Bridging global academic inequality in urban studies
- Amplifying research from the Global South
- Supporting early and mid-career academic progression
- Increasing access to international scholarly networks
- Improving publication opportunities in high-impact journals and books
- Strengthening global understanding of urban challenges
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I apply if my research is still ongoing?
No. The fellowship is only for candidates who have already completed data collection and analysis.
2. Can I conduct new fieldwork during the fellowship?
No. The program strictly supports writing and publication, not new research.
3. Is remote participation allowed?
No. Fellows must be physically based at the host institution.
4. Can I choose any country for the host institution?
Yes. The host can be in the Global North or Global South, provided it supports your research needs.
5. What outputs are expected from the fellowship?
Expected outputs include journal articles, books, monographs, or book chapters.
6. Who cannot apply?
Previous recipients of the USF International Fellowship are not eligible.
7. Is a mentor mandatory?
Yes. A qualified academic mentor must be identified before application submission.
Conclusion
The Urban Studies Foundation International Fellowships 2026 provide structured support for Global South urban scholars to transform completed research into publishable academic outputs. By combining international mobility, mentorship, and institutional collaboration, the program strengthens global urban studies scholarship while accelerating academic career development.
For more information, visit Urban Studies Foundation.