MASS Relaunches African Design Centre Fellowship to Empower the Next Generation of African Design Leaders

The African Design Centre (ADC), a program of MASS Design Group, has officially relaunched its prestigious African Design Centre Fellowship. With renewed support from the Mellon Foundation and the Cravens Foundation, the ADC Fellowship is now accepting applications from built-environment professionals across the African continent. This twelve-month, hands-on residency program is based in Kigali, Rwanda, and aims to train, mentor, and support emerging African designers committed to socially and environmentally responsible design.

About the African Design Centre at MASS

The African Design Centre at MASS is dedicated to transforming insights from architectural projects into sustained movements for change. With a mission to advance Africa’s unique architectural legacy, the Centre operates through three interconnected workstreams:

• Research: Examining how spatial and design failures contribute to inequality in health, education, economic development, and climate resilience. The research identifies how localized, design-based solutions can enact meaningful change.
• Catalyst Projects: Implementing high-impact, scalable pilot projects—ranging from maternal health clinics to educational campuses—that showcase community-centered design as a solution to Africa’s most pressing issues.
• Systems Change: Training and mentoring the next generation of African design leaders through the ADC Fellowship and related mentorship programs.

About the ADC Fellowship

The African Design Centre Fellowship is a 12-month paid residency in Kigali, Rwanda, designed for nationals of African countries. It empowers Fellows to create culturally grounded, community-driven solutions to infrastructure challenges, while preserving Africa’s architectural heritage.

This Fellowship is particularly focused on three thematic areas:

• • Maternal & Newborn Health: Designing dignified, health-promoting spaces that support care, resilience, and well-being from birth onward.
  • Expanding Opportunities: Creating spaces that cultivate innovation, skills development, and local enterprise to promote social and economic growth.
  • Building a Climate-Positive Future: Redefining development through ecologically responsible design, enabling people and nature to thrive together.

Fellowship Objectives and Activities

ADC Fellows will engage in the following:

• • Conduct Research: Deep-dive into African architectural traditions, indigenous knowledge systems, and urban development patterns.
  • Pilot Projects: Participate in community-driven design projects aligned with the fellowship’s core themes.
  • Disseminate Knowledge: Publish reflections and findings that contribute to global and local discourse on design and development.

Fellows will receive:

• Support from MASS Design Group staff.
• Mentorship from experienced professionals in design and architecture.
• Relocation assistance and a competitive stipend for the duration of the Kigali residency.

Following the 12-month residency, Fellows will continue their engagement through a year-long remote mentorship and network-building program, including potential funding for independent research.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Be a national of an African country and 35 years old or younger.
• Hold a degree in architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, engineering, or a related field.
• Be a built-environment professional with a portfolio of relevant work.
• Be available to relocate to Kigali, Rwanda for the full in-person fellowship period from September 2025 to August 2026.

Fellowship Timeline

• In-Person Fellowship & Residency in Kigali: September 2025 – August 2026
• Ongoing Fellowship Network & Mentorship: September 2026 – August 2027

Application Process

The application involves a three-stage process:

1. Stage 1: Expression of Interest
   Submit your resume/CV, references, portfolio, and a statement of alignment with the ADC Fellowship goals.
2. Stage 2: Pre-Fellowship Essays & Availability Confirmation
   Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit essays and confirm their ability to participate fully.
3. Stage 3: Interviews
   Final candidates will take part in interviews to determine suitability and alignment with the program’s mission.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should complete the online application form. Eligible candidates will be required to submit the following documents:

• Resume or CV
• Professional references
• Project portfolio
• Statement of alignment with ADC Fellowship themes

Apply Now

Deadline: July 13, 2025

Conclusion

The African Design Centre Fellowship represents a transformative opportunity for African designers to contribute meaningfully to the continent’s development through culturally relevant and community-centered design. With its focus on health, opportunity, and climate resilience, the ADC Fellowship is poised to shape the future of African architecture from the ground up.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE & APPLY