Four African researchers will spend a year at ESA’s Italy center, working on solutions to the continent’s most pressing environmental and climate challenges.
The European Space Agency (ESA), in partnership with the African Space Agency (AfSA) and the African Union Commission, is now accepting applications for the 2026 African Research Fellowship (ARF) program.
Since its launch in 2021, ten outstanding African researchers have advanced their Earth observation (EO) work at ESA. Now, four more fellows will join that elite network.
Selected researchers will spend one year at ESA’s ESRIN centre in Frascati, Italy, starting in October 2026. They’ll work alongside ESA experts, access cutting-edge cloud computing and AI tools, and develop actionable solutions for Africa’s most critical challenges.
“If you’re an African researcher passionate about using satellite data to solve real-world problems, this is your opportunity,” the call states.
Your Mission: Turn Data into Action
The fellowship isn’t about theoretical work. It’s about impact.
Fellows will conduct innovative R&D that:
- Leverages massive satellite EO data streams
- Integrates ground-based (in-situ) measurements
- Uses cloud computing and artificial intelligence
The goal? Provide practical, evidence-based solutions to challenges like food security, water management, climate resilience, and natural resource monitoring.
Research Themes: What You Can Work On
Applicants can propose a one-year R&D project within EO AFRICA’s thematic priority areas. While the call doesn’t list every theme, past fellows have worked on:
- Agricultural monitoring and crop yield prediction
- Water resource management and drought forecasting
- Land use change and deforestation tracking
- Coastal and marine ecosystem monitoring
- Climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction
You’re encouraged to propose your own innovative project—as long as it leverages EO satellite data and advanced analytical methods.
What Fellows Get: More Than Just a Stipend
This isn’t just a research placement. It’s a full immersion into Europe’s most advanced Earth observation network.
Access to world-class resources:
- ESA-supported cloud computing (EO Africa Innovation Lab, Space-HPC)
- The EO AFRICA Space Academy and Digital Campus
- Dedicated training and scientific tools
- Direct collaboration with European scientists
Professional development:
- A network promoting open research and reproducible science
- Opportunities to publish and present findings
- Long-term institutional connections between Africa and Europe
A lasting legacy:
Fellows contribute to a growing repository of African-led EO tools, support evidence-based policy, and strengthen Africa’s voice in the global scientific community.
Who Should Apply?
The fellowship is open to African researchers who hold either:
- A PhD, OR
- A master’s degree with substantial proven research experience in satellite Earth observation, remote sensing, or a closely related field.
ESA is looking for innovators who can translate data into sustainable solutions. If that sounds like you, keep reading.
How to Apply: Required Documents
Interested candidates must submit a complete application containing all of the following:
- Research proposal: using the official ARF template (maximum 10 pages). Note: Applications that do not use the provided template will be disregarded.
- Curriculum Vitae—Maximum 3 pages, including a recent publications list.
- A copy of valid identification—preferably a passport.
- Scan of highest academic diploma—PhD or Master’s.
- Two signed letters of reference.
A downloadable zip file (available on the official call page) contains:
- Technical information on general tasks and logistics
- The proposal submission template
- Privacy notice
Questions? Send them by email to arf@esa.int no later than one week before the closing date (i.e., by 22 April 2026).
Why This Matters: Building Africa’s EO Leadership
Earth observation is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity.
From tracking crop health across the Sahel to monitoring water levels in Lake Victoria, satellite data helps African nations make smarter, faster decisions about food, water, climate, and infrastructure.
But for too long, the continent has relied on external expertise. The African Research Fellowship programme is changing that.
By placing African researchers at the heart of ESA’s operations—and building lasting partnerships with the newly formed African Space Agency—this initiative is cultivating a new generation of homegrown EO leaders.
As the call puts it: “Shape the future of Earth Observation for Africa.”
Quick Summary for Busy Researchers
- What: 1-year research fellowship at ESA’s ESRIN centre in Italy
- Who: African researchers with PhD or Master’s + proven EO experience
- When: October 2026 – October 2027
- Deadline: 29 April 2026
- How: Submit proposal (using template), CV, ID, diploma, 2 reference letters to ARF portal
- Contact: arf@esa.int (questions due by 22 April 2026)
