The African Design Centre Fellowship: Shaping Tomorrow’s Built Environment
Emerging architects and designers across Africa have a significant opportunity to develop their skills and contribute to the continent’s future. The African Design Centre (ADC) at MASS has opened applications for its 2026-2027 Fellowship Cohort. This program offers a unique, paid residency in Kigali, Rwanda, focused on addressing critical development challenges through thoughtful design. It is designed for young professionals eager to make a lasting social, environmental, and economic impact.
About the African Design Centre
The African Design Centre is an initiative by MASS that aims to turn real-world project insights into movements for change. It acts as a center for new ideas, research, and leadership training. The ADC is dedicated to honoring Africa’s cultural heritage while also promoting modern design solutions. The center believes that the future of African architecture should be built upon:
- Indigenous knowledge systems
- Local stories and histories
- Traditional craftsmanship
- Design approaches that focus on communities
- Development that respects the environment
Through its programs, the ADC supports professionals committed to creating designs that are both innovative and deeply connected to African contexts.
Core Work Areas at the ADC
The ADC focuses its efforts on three main areas:
1. Research
The center studies how poor design and lacking infrastructure contribute to problems like unequal development, limited access to healthcare, vulnerability to climate change, educational barriers, and economic inequality. Through its research, the ADC looks for practical design solutions that can bring about significant positive change.
2. Catalyst Projects
ADC starts innovative projects that show how good design can solve important problems. These projects have included facilities for maternal health, innovation centers, conservation infrastructure, school campuses, and public spaces designed with community input. These projects are meant to serve as models that can be expanded to help other parts of Africa.
3. Systems Change
By running leadership development programs like the ADC Fellowship, the center is helping to train a new group of African design professionals. These individuals will be equipped to lead the transformation of the continent’s urban areas.
The ADC Fellowship Experience
The African Design Centre Fellowship is a year-long, immersive residency program based in Kigali, Rwanda. Participants get direct experience with real projects, guidance from experts, chances to learn with others, and practical design challenges. The fellowship aims to help participants create solutions that are culturally relevant and driven by communities, addressing Africa’s infrastructure needs while protecting its architectural heritage.
Throughout the fellowship, participants will be involved in many of MASS’s initiatives and development projects. These include work in areas such as maternal and newborn healthcare, economic development, climate-friendly infrastructure, community-led innovation, design research, and sustainable urban development. Fellows are encouraged to share their own ideas, experiences, and questions while working with experts from different fields.
Fellowship Responsibilities
Fellows will be expected to contribute in several key ways:
Conduct Design Research
This involves exploring indigenous knowledge systems, studying traditional architecture, analyzing urban development patterns, and examining design practices rooted in culture.
Participate in Pilot Projects
Participants will work on design projects that focus on communities, collaborate with various stakeholders, contribute to real infrastructure solutions, and support the development and execution of projects.
Disseminate Knowledge
Fellows will be asked to write articles reflecting on their experiences, share what they have learned, document their research findings, and contribute to wider discussions about African architecture and design.
Mentorship and Professional Support
Selected fellows will receive guidance from MASS program staff, professional design mentors, industry experts, and leadership coaches. The fellowship is structured to offer ongoing support throughout the residency.
Fellowship Benefits
Participants will gain many professional and personal advantages. These include a paid fellowship, full immersion in a leading African design institution, access to expert mentorship, hands-on project experience, and professional development opportunities. They will also get exposure to advanced design and research practices, chances to collaborate with top professionals, and expanded professional networks. Leadership training and practical experience in addressing Africa’s development challenges are also key benefits.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a citizen of an African country.
- Be 35 years old or younger.
- Hold a degree in architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, engineering, or a related field.
- Be able to move to Kigali, Rwanda, for the entire fellowship period.
- Show a strong commitment to social justice and environmental responsibility.
- Demonstrate an interest in design solutions that are community-driven and culturally grounded.
Application Process
The fellowship uses a three-stage selection process:
Stage 1: Expression of Interest
Applicants will submit their CV or resume, professional references, a portfolio, and a statement explaining why they are a good fit for the program.
Stage 2: Essay Submission
Candidates who pass the first stage will be invited to submit essays written before the fellowship and confirm their availability for the program dates.
Stage 3: Interviews
Applicants with successful essays will be invited to participate in interviews.
Fellowship Timeline
The residency period for the fellowship will run from October 2026 to September 2027. Selected fellows will live and work in Kigali, Rwanda, during this time.
Why This Fellowship is Important
Africa is experiencing one of the fastest rates of urbanization globally. The continent’s future relies on forward-thinking architects, planners, designers, and engineers who can create sustainable, culturally relevant, and community-focused solutions. The African Design Centre Fellowship is more than just a professional development program; it is an investment in the next generation of leaders who will shape Africa’s cities, infrastructure, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and public spaces for years to come. For young African professionals passionate about design, innovation, social impact, and sustainable development, this fellowship offers an outstanding chance to learn, lead, and help drive transformational change across the continent.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the African Design Centre Fellowship?
It’s a paid, year-long residency program in Kigali, Rwanda, for young African architects and designers to gain experience and address development challenges through design.
What are the main goals of the ADC Fellowship?
The fellowship aims to train future leaders in African design, focusing on research, creating pilot projects, and driving systems change for sustainable and culturally relevant development.
Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
Applicants must be citizens of an African country, 35 years old or younger, hold a relevant degree, be able to relocate to Kigali, and show a commitment to social justice and community-driven design.
What are the benefits of participating in the fellowship?
Benefits include a paid residency, hands-on project experience, expert mentorship, professional development, networking opportunities, and practical experience in tackling Africa’s infrastructure and development issues.
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