Model of Architecture Serving Society (MASS) African Design Centre Fellowship 2026 for African architects and designers (12 Months Residency in Rwanda, Kigali)

Application Deadline: June 14, 2026

Applications at the moment are open for the 2026 MASS African Design Centre Fellowship. MASS is recruiting the subsequent cohort of the ADC Fellowship, empowering African architects and designers to steer the continent’s urbanization. The ADC Fellowship is a twelve-month hands-on residency program in Kigali, Rwanda, for nationals of an African nation. This program is designed to foster and incubate future African architects and designers by imparting important instruments, mentorship, and assets. The goal is to empower Fellows to develop culturally grounded and community-driven design options that handle the continent’s vital infrastructure challenges, whereas concurrently preserving and integrating Africa’s architectural heritage.

The ADC Fellowship seeks rising design leaders with a demonstrated dedication to advancing social justice and environmental accountability by way of their work, deeply rooted in African heritage. Ideal candidates are curious, collaborative, and pushed to take part in the motion shaping how regionally pushed, design-based interventions can ship transformational change throughout communities and techniques.

Through the fellowship, fellows will interact with a broad vary of ongoing MASS initiatives and areas of work, together with maternal and new child well being, increasing social and financial alternative, climate-positive growth, analysis, and community-led innovation. Fellows are inspired to deliver their very own pursuits, views, and questions into dialogue with the varied challenges and Opportunities MASS is at present exploring. 

The Fellows will: 

• Conduct Research: Undertake culturally rooted design analysis exploring indigenous data techniques, vernacular structure, and city patterns.
   
• Pilot Projects: Engage in community-based design tasks inside the totally different MASS initiatives and areas of work. 
   
• Disseminate Knowledge: Publish reflective items to share insights gained in the course of the Fellowship.

Fellows will obtain help from MASS program employees, assigned design and skilled mentors. This is a paid fellowship that requires relocation to Kigali, Rwanda, for 12 months. 

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants should be nationals of an African nation, 35 years of age or under.
• Applicants should be built-environment professionals and maintain a level in structure, city design, panorama, engineering, or a associated subject.
• Applicants should have the ability to relocate to Kigali, Rwanda, from October 2026 to September 2027.

Application Process: The application is a three-stage choice course of. 

• Stage 1: Expression of pursuits. Eligible candidates might be requested to submit resumes/CVs, references, portfolio and an announcement of alignment. 
• Stage 2: Shortlisted candidates might be contacted to submit pre-fellowship essays and affirm availability to totally take part in the Fellowship actions.
• Stage 3: Candidates with profitable essays will take part in interviews. 

Fellowship Timeline: 

• The fellowship is a one-year program requiring fellows to stay and work in Kigali, Rwanda.

• In-Person Fellowship and residency in Kigali, Rwanda: October 2026 – September 2027. 

Interested candidates ought to full a web-based application. Eligible candidates might be requested to submit resumes/CVs, references, portfolio and an announcement of alignment.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the MASS African Design Centre Fellowship