The deadline to applications for this scheme is 16th July 2025 at 23:59 UTC+0.
Call for Applications (2025)
Applications are invited to the USF’s International Fellowships for urban scholars from the Global South. Each award will cover the cost of a visiting sabbatical period at a host university of the candidate’s choice, for the purpose of writing-up the candidate’s existing research findings in the form of publishable articles, book chapters, and/or books. The proposed work should be completed under the guidance of a chosen Mentor in the candidate’s field of study. Funding is available for a period ranging between three and nine months, and eligible research may cover any urban studies theme pertinent to a better understanding of urban realities within and across the Global South.
The scheme is intended to serve the USF’s over-arching strategic mission to advance global urban studies. Supporting over seventy Fellows from over twenty countries, the scheme has also contributed enormously to the USF’s goals of supporting early-career researchers, strengthening scholarship of the Global South, fostering collaboration, and developing excellent urban research. Through promoting the global exchange and mobility of both individuals and ideas, the scheme also aims to intervene in the production of knowledge in a manner that both champions epistemic justice and elevates new understandings of diverse global realities. In the longer-term, the scheme works towards cultivating the research leadership and capacities of tomorrow.
Beyond supporting the Fellow in achieving their published outputs, the USF expects that prospective Mentors and host organisations should be capably invested in contributing to these wider outcomes and impact of the International Fellowship scheme. This includes demonstrating the value-added by the Mentor and host both during and after the Fellowship period, which must include the provision of a stable and productive working environment for the Fellow during their visit. It should also include integrating the Fellow into relevant research communities and networks, ensuring that long-lasting connections can be built to support future collaboration. It is expected that Fellows should be fully released from any existing obligations and/or responsibilities in order to benefit from the time and space that the Fellowship will provide.
Proposed research outputs must be based on existing and completed primary data collection and analysis, and candidates should be ready to write-up their findings as academic publications. The planned outputs should present a clear connection and novel contribution to any topic within urban studies, including but not limited to: climate, development, ecology, finance, governance, housing, migration, mobility, planning, policy, political economy, public health, social equity, sustainability, transport, and technology. Applicants must be familiar with the wider urban studies discipline (including through relevant publications such as the Urban Studies Journal), and be confident that their scholarship can make a significant contribution to the field. This contribution should also expand theoretical and empirical understanding of the major social, economic, political, and other issues associated with the specific development trajectories of cities in the Global South.
Information about current and previous (see Alumni) International Fellows can be found on the ‘Funding > Grants Awarded‘ section of this website.
To celebrate the publication of C.P. Pow: selected essays (2025), and to advance support of urban studies in the region, the Urban Studies Foundation intends to reserve one International Fellowship in 2025 for a scholar from and/or focused on urbanisation in East and Southeast Asia.
Eligibility
Applicants must be early-to-mid-career urban scholars holding a PhD awarded within the preceding ten calendar years (by the submission deadline). They must be nationals of any country present on the current OECD DAC list of ODA recipients, and be formally affiliated to/working within a research organisation based in any of these countries. Candidates must have already completed primary data collection and analysis, and be ready to write-up their findings as academic publications. The work must represent a clear and valuable contribution to the field of urban studies, and proposals outside of this field will not be considered.
Requirements
The candidate is expected to make suitable arrangements to be mentored by a senior urban scholar at their chosen host organisation. They must also research the required budget to support the Fellowship, and be prepared to self-manage the practical aspects of any associated travel. Eligible host organisations may be anywhere worldwide, and Fellowships based in Global South regions are also encouraged.
Terms
The financial support of the Fellowship is intended to meet accommodation and subsistence needs while staying at the host university, return travel, and assistance towards some research costs. There is also a small budget available for the Mentor to engage with the Fellow’s home institution(s), network(s), and/or research site(s). Short-listed candidates may also apply for a small supplemental grant if they have extra-ordinary costs arising due to caring responsibilities or disability, provided they have contacted the USF in advance of applying to discuss their requirements. Fellowships should begin no earlier than four months after the deadline for applications, and no later than fourteen months after the application deadline.
How to apply
Candidates must complete the online application form below no later than the advertised deadline.
A link to the online application form can be found below, along with an application template (.docx) that may be used for offline preparation beforehand (recommended).
The application must include:
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- Applicant information: contact details, recent education, recent academic roles, a short career statement, proof of nationality, and the names and contact details of two academic referees.
- Proposed fellowship information: dates, mentorship, and host organisation arrangements.
- Budget: all cost items and suitable evidence for any items above GBP 500.
- Research proposal: outline of the planned research, intended outputs, the reasons for the choice of the host organisation, and a statement of how the candidate’s chosen mentor will support and facilitate the proposed research.
- Applicant CV listing academic achievements and publications (3 pages maximum).
- Short CV from the mentor which includes any previous mentoring experience (3 pages maximum).
- Mentor’s supporting letter stating their willingness to act as a Mentor to the Fellow, and detailing the suitability of the host organisation for the proposed Fellowship in reference to the Host Organisation and Mentorship Guidelines (2 pages maximum).
All applicants will be requested to complete an anonymous Equality & Diversity monitoring survey after submitting their application. The survey and any information volunteered with it is anonymous and entirely separate from individual applications (it is not used in the assessment process). It is used only for monitoring who applies to USF awards on aggregate, so that the USF may regularly assess and improve how it advertises and administers its grant funding.
Decisions will normally be made within twelve weeks of the closing deadline for this award, and all applicants will be contacted regarding their application outcome. The USF regrets that it cannot offer any feedback on applications, and all decisions are final. Further information on the standard administration of all USF awards can be found in the USF Code of Practice.
Prospective applicants should ensure that they have carefully consulted the Further Particulars, FAQ, and Guidance for Host Organisations and Mentors documents below. Further questions regarding the International Fellowship award and application process should be addressed to the Urban Studies Foundation via email: grants@urbanstudiesfoundation.org
Documents and apply now
Prospective applicants should ensure that they have carefully consulted the Further Particulars for this award (see below), which contains further information on the award terms and application requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (.pdf)
Guidance for Host Organisations and Mentors (.pdf)