University Of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS) brings early career faculty from African universities to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The program supports the development of the next generation of African scholars by integrating them into international academic networks, and promotes U-M’s international commitment to research and teaching collaborations across diverse disciplines, from engineering to literature to economics.
All the expenses of housing (private room & bath in a suite setting), medical insurance, a research allowance, and a modest stipend to cover living costs will be provided for selected scholars.
OPPORTUNITY AT A GLANCE:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS) |
| Eligibility | Early career faculty teaching in higher education in Africa (less than 10 years of teaching experience) |
| Residency Duration | Four to six months |
| Cohorts | Two cohorts per year (August-December and January-May) |
| Application Period | One application round for both cohorts; preference for a cohort can be indicated but not guaranteed |
| Requirements | – Ongoing faculty position at an African university – Letter of support from head of department, dean, or vice-chancellor – Must remain in residence for 5 months – No extensive international experience outside Africa |
| Rewards | – Round-trip airfare – Free housing (private room & bath) – Medical insurance – Research allowance – Modest living stipend – Office/Laboratory space – Access to U-M resources |
| Research Focus | Wide range of disciplines, preference for alignment with U-M’s initiatives: AHHI, ASRI, STEM-Africa |
| Required Documents | – Online application – Curriculum vitae – Research proposal (max 5 pages) – Contact info for department head, dean, or vice-chancellor |
| Application Deadline | October 15 |
| Application Link | Specific to certain countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Liberia, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda) |
| Nomination Requirement | For applicants outside the specified countries; nomination by a U-M faculty member familiar with the applicant’s work is required |
Fact About University of Michigan’s African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS)
- Pioneering Global Scholarship: The University of Michigan, through its UMAPS program, has been a trailblazer in connecting early-career African scholars with international academic networks, helping to shape the next generation of thought leaders across a vast array of disciplines.
- A Hub of Diversity: Since 2009, the UMAPS program has hosted scholars from 12 African countries, including Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. These scholars represent fields as diverse as engineering, literature, economics, and beyond, making the program a melting pot of ideas and perspectives that enrich the global academic community.
- All-Inclusive Support: Selected scholars are treated to an incredible experience with all expenses covered. This includes not only housing in a private room and bath within a suite setting but also medical insurance, a research allowance, and a stipend to cover living costs—ensuring scholars can focus entirely on their academic pursuits.
- Two Cohorts, One Global Family: The UMAPS program uniquely hosts two cohorts per year—one from August to December and another from January to May—allowing for a dynamic exchange of ideas throughout the academic year. Scholars can indicate their preferred cohort during the application, although the final placement depends on program logistics, adding an element of exciting unpredictability.
- A Growing Legacy: Over the years, UMAPS has become a prestigious launchpad for African scholars, with its alumni making significant contributions to academia and beyond. This initiative is a testament to the University of Michigan’s commitment to fostering global knowledge exchange and academic collaboration.
- A Prestigious Gateway to Global Academia: The UMAPS program is more than just an opportunity to study; it’s an invitation to join an elite community of scholars who are actively shaping the future of research, teaching, and innovation on a global scale.
Details For 2025 University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program
The UMAPS program hosts two cohorts per year—August through December, and January through May—with *one* application round for both cohorts. Applicants will have the opportunity to indicate their preference for a particular cohort during the application process, but placement in a particular cohort (upon acceptance in the program) is not guaranteed.
Unfortunately, ASC is not able to help prospective applicants connect to U-M faculty, nor do we recommend reaching out to them directly.
Since 2009, the UMAPS Program has hosted scholars from Ghana, South Africa, Liberia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Gabon, and Zambia representing a wide range of disciplines that closely align with several initiatives
Requirements For 2025 University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program
All applicants for the 2025 University of Michigan Presidential Scholars Program must:
- Be an early career faculty member who has taught in the higher education system for less than ten years, and who is presently teaching in a college or university in Africa
- Be employed in an ongoing position at a university or college in Africa
- Be able to demonstrate support from a home institution with a letter of recommendation from the head of department, dean, or vice chancellor
- Be able to remain in residence for five months.
Previous recipients of the UMAPS fellowship are not eligible to apply. Preference will be given to applicants without extensive international experience outside the continent.
Rewards For 2025 University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program
Those admitted to the UMAPS Program will receive:
- Four to six months residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, paired with a faculty mentor with full access to the university’s resources
- Round-trip airfare from their home country to Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Free housing (private room & bath in a suite setting), medical insurance, a research allowance, and a modest stipend to cover living costs.
- Office/Laboratory space
- Opportunity to present research to the U-M community
- Scholars are paired with a faculty collaborator during their stay and have full access to the University of Michigan’s (U-M) resources to further their work on a research project, an academic degree, publications, grant proposal, or other relevant activity.
Required Documents For 2025 University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program
To apply, candidates must be ready to submit the following documents;
- Complete the online application form » (IN THIS APPLICATION CYCLE, this link can only be used by applicants from the following countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Liberia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda)
- Upload a curriculum vitae using the online application
- Upload a scholarly program/research proposal (not to exceed five pages). Applications from a wide range of disciplines and schools are welcome; applications that align with the center’s disciplinary initiatives—AHHI, ASRI, and STEM-Africa—are encouraged
- Provide complete name and contact information of the department head, dean, or vice chancellor at the applicant’s home institution who will be writing their letter of support
Applications will be reviewed after the closing date on October 15. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
How To Apply For 2025 University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program
Interested and qualified applicants should use the “CLICK HERE TO APPLY” button below to visit the scholarship application webpage.
For applicants from outside Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, or Uganda, nomination is required and needs to be completed by a U-M faculty member familiar with the work of the prospective applicant. The nominating faculty must:
- Complete the online nomination form (for University of Michigan faculty only and access requires U-M login)
- Submit /upload a letter of endorsement that indicates their willingness to serve as a mentor during the length of the residency, commit to meet regularly, and if possible provide an office space for the prospective participant
As soon as UMAPS receive the complete nomination form and letter of support, they will send the nominated candidate an email invitation with a link to the application portal for nominated applicants; please do not use the regular application portal.