MASS African Design Centre Fellowship 2026–2027 in Rwanda: Fully Paid Opportunity for African Architects and Designers to Shape the Future of Africa’s Built Environment

The African Design Centre (ADC) at MASS has officially opened applications for its 2026–2027 Fellowship Cohort, offering one of Africa’s most prestigious opportunities for emerging architects, designers, and built-environment professionals.

The African Design Centre Fellowship is a 12-month paid residency program based in Kigali, Rwanda, designed to equip Africa’s next generation of design leaders with the skills, mentorship, resources, and practical experience needed to tackle some of the continent’s most pressing development challenges.

The fellowship is specifically designed for young African professionals who are passionate about using architecture, urban planning, landscape design, engineering, and related disciplines to create lasting social, environmental, and economic impact across Africa.

About the African Design Centre (ADC)

The African Design Centre is an initiative of MASS that transforms insights from real-world projects into sustainable movements for change. The centre serves as a hub for innovation, research, and leadership development, with a strong commitment to preserving Africa’s cultural heritage while advancing contemporary design solutions.

ADC believes that Africa’s architectural future should be shaped by:

• Indigenous knowledge systems
• Local narratives and histories
• Traditional craftsmanship
• Community-centered design approaches
• Environmentally responsible development

Through its programs, ADC supports professionals who are committed to creating design solutions that are both innovative and deeply rooted in African contexts.

Core Areas of Work at the African Design Centre

The ADC operates through three major workstreams:

1. Research

The centre investigates how poor design and inadequate infrastructure contribute to:

• Unequal development
• Limited healthcare access
• Climate vulnerability
• Educational barriers
• Economic inequality

Through research, ADC seeks practical design interventions capable of generating transformational change.

2. Catalyst Projects

ADC pilots innovative projects that demonstrate how thoughtful design can address critical challenges.

Examples include:

• Maternal health facilities
• Innovation hubs
• Conservation infrastructure
• Educational campuses
• Community-centered public spaces

These projects serve as scalable models for development across Africa.

3. Systems Change

Through leadership development initiatives such as the ADC Fellowship, the centre is building a new generation of African design professionals capable of leading the continent’s urban transformation.

About the ADC Fellowship

The African Design Centre Fellowship is a year-long immersive residency hosted in Kigali, Rwanda.

The program provides selected fellows with direct exposure to real-world projects, expert mentorship, collaborative learning opportunities, and practical design challenges.

The fellowship seeks to empower participants to create culturally grounded and community-driven solutions that address Africa’s infrastructure needs while preserving its architectural heritage.

What Fellows Will Experience

Throughout the fellowship, participants will engage with a broad range of MASS initiatives and development projects.

These include work in areas such as:

• Maternal and newborn healthcare
• Economic development and social opportunity
• Climate-positive infrastructure
• Community-led innovation
• Design research
• Sustainable urban development

Fellows are encouraged to contribute their own ideas, experiences, perspectives, and questions while collaborating with experts across multiple disciplines.

Fellowship Responsibilities

Conduct Design Research

Fellows will:

• Explore indigenous knowledge systems
• Study vernacular architecture
• Investigate urban development patterns
• Analyze culturally rooted design practices

Participate in Pilot Projects

Participants will:

• Work on community-centered design initiatives
• Collaborate with stakeholders
• Contribute to real-world infrastructure solutions
• Support project development and implementation

Disseminate Knowledge

Fellows will be expected to:

• Publish reflective articles
• Share lessons learned
• Document research findings
• Contribute to broader discussions on African architecture and design

Mentorship and Professional Support

Selected fellows will receive guidance from:

• MASS program staff
• Professional design mentors
• Industry experts
• Leadership coaches

The fellowship is structured to provide continuous support throughout the residency period.

Fellowship Benefits

Participants will receive numerous professional and personal benefits, including:

• A paid fellowship opportunity
• Full immersion in a leading African design institution
• Access to expert mentorship
• Hands-on project experience
• Professional development opportunities
• Exposure to cutting-edge design and research practices
• Opportunities to collaborate with leading practitioners
• Expanded regional and international professional networks
• Leadership development training
• Practical experience addressing Africa’s development challenges

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be nationals of an African country
• Be 35 years old or younger
• Hold a degree in architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, engineering, or a related field
• Be able to relocate to Kigali, Rwanda, for the full duration of the fellowship
• Demonstrate a commitment to social justice and environmental responsibility
• Show interest in community-driven and culturally grounded design solutions

Application Process

The fellowship uses a three-stage selection process.

Stage 1: Expression of Interest

Applicants will submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume
• Professional references
• Portfolio
• Statement of alignment

Stage 2: Essay Submission

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to:

• Submit pre-fellowship essays
• Confirm their availability for the fellowship period

Stage 3: Interviews

Applicants with successful essays will be invited to participate in interviews.

Fellowship Timeline

Residency Period

October 2026 – September 2027

Selected fellows will live and work in Kigali, Rwanda throughout the fellowship.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Africa is experiencing one of the fastest rates of urbanization in the world. The continent’s future depends on visionary architects, planners, designers, and engineers who can create sustainable, culturally relevant, and community-centered solutions.

The African Design Centre Fellowship is more than a professional development program—it is an investment in the next generation of leaders who will shape Africa’s cities, infrastructure, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and public spaces for decades to come.

For young African professionals passionate about design, innovation, social impact, and sustainable development, this fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity to learn, lead, and contribute to transformational change across the continent.

Application Deadline

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible through the official application portal.

Apply Here 

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