AUC Cairo Fellowship 2026: A Funded 9-Month Research Post for Junior MENA Researchers

For junior researchers in the Middle East and North Africa working on the region's economic future, a rare, funded, in-residence opportunity has just opened in the heart of Cairo. The project "Pathways Beyond Neoliberalism: Voices from the Middle East and North Africa" at the American University in Cairo (AUC) is now accepting applications for a nine-month Visiting Research Fellowship built specifically for early-career scholars. Unlike a remote grant, this fellowship gives you funded time, mentorship and a research community on campus, and it is explicitly designed to include scholars from Arab universities. The application deadline is 17 August 2026.

Why this fellowship is built for MENA scholars

Many funded fellowships are aimed at established academics or based far from the region. This one is different: it centres MENA-focused research, welcomes applications from students enrolled in public or private Arab universities, and is hosted at one of the region's leading English-language universities. For a PhD candidate or recent doctorate from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Tunisia, Morocco or elsewhere in the region, it offers something genuinely scarce: nine months of protected time in Cairo to turn a serious piece of scholarship into a peer-reviewed publication, with senior academics giving feedback along the way.

Who is eligible to apply

The fellowship targets the next generation of researchers. To apply, you should be enrolled in a PhD programme, or have obtained a PhD between 2020 and 2026, and you must be prepared to reside in Cairo for the entire duration of the fellowship. Applications from students enrolled in public or private Arab universities are particularly welcome, which makes this an unusually accessible opportunity for MENA-based scholars. Your work can come from any of a broad set of fields: political economy, economics, economic sociology and anthropology, political science, political and economic theory, economic history, environmental economics, gender studies, or migration and refugee studies.

What the fellowship funds and provides

The fellowship comes with practical, real-world support. Fellows receive monthly compensation for the duration of the programme, and non-Egyptian fellows have one economy-class flight ticket covered. You gain full access to AUC's library facilities, dedicated funds to organise a research-focused workshop at the university, and direct mentoring from the project's Principal Investigator. The exact stipend amount is not specified publicly, so check the official page for figures before you plan your budget.

What fellows are expected to do

This is a hands-on, in-residence fellowship rather than a hands-off grant. Fellows are expected to be full-time residents at AUC for the duration (flexible attendance may be considered with prior approval from the Principal Investigator), and to produce a publishable, peer-reviewed article in a reputable international journal within one of the listed research areas. You will also organise a workshop based on your research and receive detailed feedback from leading academics, assist with the programme's broader research activities under the PI's supervision, acknowledge the programme's support in resulting publications, attend relevant presentations and conferences at AUC, and submit monthly reports plus a final report on completion.

Degree level and field

This is a postgraduate-level visiting research fellowship for PhD candidates and early-career doctorate holders, in political economy and related social-science and economics fields, based in Cairo, Egypt.

How to apply: step by step

Begin by confirming your eligibility: current PhD enrolment or a PhD awarded between 2020 and 2026, and a genuine ability to relocate to Cairo for nine months. Next, define the publishable piece of work you would pursue during the fellowship and how it connects to the "Pathways Beyond Neoliberalism" theme, since a clear, feasible research plan is central to a competitive application. Prepare a strong CV, a research proposal and any documents requested on the official application form, and line up references if required. Then complete and submit the official application form before the 17 August 2026 deadline. Give yourself enough time to write a focused proposal rather than rushing at the last minute.

Frequently asked questions

Apply now

If you are a junior researcher with a serious project on MENA's political economy and want funded time, mentorship and a Cairo-based research community to bring it to publication, this is a standout opportunity. Confirm the details and apply before 17 August 2026 through the official form: read the official announcement and access the application here.

Source: "Pathways Beyond Neoliberalism: Voices from MENA" project, American University in Cairo (AUC) — official call.