Frequently Asked Questions
The fellowship is designed as a 24-month programme. Shorter durations (e.g., 2–3 months) are not intended within this funding framework.
You need to identify a potential mentor / scientific partner at the African institution with whom you want to collaborate during your fellowship. Reach out to this person and ask if they agree to support your project and act as your host. If they agree, ask them for a letter of support, which you can then upload with your application.
If you do not yet have contact with a partner or have not secured their support by the time you submit your application, it is possible to submit the letter of support at a later stage.
You are responsible for identifying a suitable scientific partner or host researcher at one of the UKUDLA partner institutions in South Africa or Malawi.
UKUDLA does not provide a predefined list of partner institutions / scientist, but you are welcome to reach out to relevant departments, research groups, or faculty members whose expertise aligns with your proposed topic.
The programme is flexible and open to collaboration with any willing academic within the partner institutions. If you're having difficulty making contact, the UKUDLA coordination team can help facilitate an introduction.
You may choose your preferred host institution based on your research topic and existing collaborations. You are encouraged to reach out to relevant departments at partner universities.
UKUDLA coordinators can help facilitate contacts if needed.
No. This specific call is for German candidates (or International candidates with a clear connection to Germany (e.g. currently residing in Germany or holding a degree from a German university)).
Based on your place of residence and nationality, you would be eligible for the African UKUDLA Postdoc programme, not the German one.
No. The scholarship cannot be used to bridge or extend a project that began under another funding programme.
Yes, you may develop your proposal without a specific scientific partner, but a letter of support is recommended and may be required later.
You are encouraged to identify a scientific partner, but it’s not strictly required. A letter of support from the partner institution is optional but helpful.
No. You must not be involved in another fellowship at the time of applying or during the UKUDLA fellowship.
No. Candidates must have completed their doctoral degree not more than 4 years before the time of application. However, special personal situations (such a children) will be accounted for.
The deadline for PostDoc applications (Cohort 1, German candidates) is extended to 01 May 2026.
