The Urban Studies Foundation has announced its 2026 International Fellowships, opening a major opportunity for early-to-mid-career scholars from the Global South to gain fully funded support to publish high-impact urban research on a global stage.
The programme is designed for researchers who have already completed their fieldwork and data analysis but need structured academic support to transform their findings into publishable journal articles, book chapters, or full academic books.
Instead of funding new research, the fellowship focuses on amplifying existing knowledge that often remains underrepresented in global academic publishing.
Selected fellows will receive full financial support covering international travel, accommodation, living expenses, and research-related costs for a period of three to nine months.
They will also gain access to host universities, academic mentorship, and global research networks that help strengthen the quality and reach of their work.
The fellowship prioritises urban issues that are increasingly shaping global development conversations, including housing and infrastructure, climate change, migration, inequality, governance, transport systems, and the political economy of cities.
Researchers are expected to demonstrate how their work contributes to solving real-world urban challenges, particularly in rapidly growing cities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Applicants must hold a PhD obtained within the last 10 years and be affiliated with a recognised research institution.
The programme specifically targets scholars from OECD DAC-listed countries, ensuring that researchers from developing regions are prioritised in global knowledge production.
Each successful applicant must work with a senior academic mentor and secure a host institution willing to support their research output.
This structure is designed to ensure that fellows not only publish their work but also build long-term academic collaborations beyond the fellowship period.
Over the years, the Urban Studies Foundation has supported more than 80 fellows from over 20 countries, helping them publish in leading international journals and contribute to global debates on urban development.
The 2026 edition continues this mission by strengthening scholarly voices from regions where urban transformation is most rapid but often under-documented in global academia.
The programme also plays a broader role in addressing inequality in knowledge production.
Many urban realities from the Global South remain underrepresented in academic literature dominated by institutions in Europe and North America.
By funding publication-focused fellowships, the USF aims to rebalance this gap and ensure that research from developing regions shapes global policy and academic discussions.
Applications require a CV, detailed research and publication plan, budget outline, mentor’s CV, host institution confirmation, and academic references.
The selection process is highly competitive, with emphasis placed on the quality of research, its relevance to urban challenges, and the applicant’s potential to contribute to global scholarship.
The deadline for submission is 6 July 2026 at 23:59 UTC, and only complete applications submitted before the deadline will be considered.
This fellowship is widely regarded as one of the most valuable opportunities for urban researchers seeking international visibility, academic career advancement, and publication in top-tier journals.