The Urban Studies Foundation (USF) USF International Fellows 2025–2026 — a diverse group of early-to-mid-career scholars from the Global South. Learn more about their research themes, host institutions, and mentorship network.
USF Announces the 2025–2026 International Fellows
Date: 27 October 2025
Category: Funding & Grants | Fellowships | Research Opportunities
The Urban Studies Foundation (USF) is delighted to welcome a new cohort of International Fellows for 2025–2026 — an inspiring group of early-to-mid-career urban scholars from the Global South. These fellows will spend the coming year pursuing advanced research, developing global collaborations, and contributing new perspectives on urban issues shaping cities worldwide.
Through the USF International Fellowship Programme, scholars receive dedicated time, funding, and institutional support to produce innovative, impactful research on urbanization, governance, and social transformation. The programme continues USF’s long-standing mission to promote critical, inclusive, and globally connected urban research.
Empowering Urban Scholars from the Global South
The USF International Fellowship supports researchers from the Global South—regions historically underrepresented in international academic networks—by providing the means to:
- Conduct independent urban studies research at world-class institutions;
- Build collaborations with international mentors and peers;
- Contribute to the global exchange of urban ideas; and
- Amplify voices and perspectives from cities of the Global South.
This year’s fellowship reaffirms USF’s commitment to addressing urban challenges through collaborative scholarship and equitable research partnerships.
Meet the 2025–2026 USF International Fellows
The newly appointed 2025–2026 International Fellows represent an outstanding group of emerging urban researchers from across Brazil, Ghana, India, Indonesia, and South Africa.
Their research will tackle a range of themes, including:
- Housing financialisation and inequality
- Waste and circular urbanism
- Youth aspirations and digital participation
- Postcolonial and decolonial urban governance
- Urban imaginaries and storytelling
- Infrastructure, climate, and water systems
- Participatory upgrading and inclusive development
Fellows List
- Dr Richard Apatewen Azerigyik (Koforidua Technical University, Ghana)
- Dr Michael Gameli Dziwornu (Council for Scientific & Industrial Research, Ghana)
- Dr Raina Ghosh (Digital Empowerment Foundation, India)
- Dr Galuh Syahbana Indraprahasta (National Research and Innovation Agency – BRIN, Indonesia)
- Dr Lazarus Jambadu (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana)
- Dr Mukta Naik (Independent Researcher, India)
- Dr Maria Raquel Passos Lima (State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
- Dr Gustavo Prieto (Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil)
- Dr Solam Mkhabela (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa)**
Each Fellow’s research contributes to expanding urban theory and practice from Southern perspectives, emphasizing locally grounded insights and transnational dialogues.
Global Partnerships and Host Institutions
Each fellow is paired with a leading host institution—universities and research centers recognized for their excellence in urban studies, planning, and social science.
This year’s partner institutions are based in:
- Denmark
- The Netherlands
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- The United Kingdom
- The United States
These institutions provide mentorship, infrastructure, and an environment for meaningful international collaboration, ensuring that fellows’ projects have global reach and relevance.
Mentorship Network and Academic Support
USF extends sincere gratitude to its mentors — scholars and practitioners whose expertise covers urban political ecology, housing policy, infrastructure governance, decolonial theory, and cultural urbanism.
The 2025–2026 Mentors include:
- Prof. Marie Huchzermeyer
- Prof. Tim Bunnell
- Dr Aidan Mosselson
- Prof. Rivke Jaffe
- Dr Marie Kolling
- Prof. Wilbard Kombe
- Prof. Stephen Walker
- Dr Anant Maringanti
Notably, two former USF grant holders (including a former International Fellow) and three former mentors are returning to guide this year’s cohort, continuing the Foundation’s tradition of cross-cohort collaboration and peer-led knowledge exchange.
Their mentorship ensures that fellows develop research that is methodologically robust, socially engaged, and globally impactful.
Fellowship Goals and Outcomes
The USF International Fellowship Programme supports long-term academic growth and impact. Fellows are expected to:
- Conduct independent research addressing key urban issues.
- Engage in cross-institutional collaborations and workshops.
- Produce academic publications and policy outputs.
- Participate in international conferences and symposia.
- Strengthen networks between Global South and Global North scholars.
The fellows’ work will contribute to shaping inclusive urban policies, sustainable development pathways, and critical academic debates across disciplines.
USF’s Continued Commitment to Urban Research
Founded in 2008, the Urban Studies Foundation (USF) is a UK-based charity dedicated to advancing world-leading urban research and supporting scholars from underrepresented regions.
Through its grants and fellowship schemes, the Foundation seeks to:
- Encourage critical urban theory;
- Bridge geographical and institutional divides in urban scholarship;
- Support emerging researchers with transformative ideas; and
- Facilitate global dialogues on urban challenges like housing, sustainability, and governance.
By investing in international research capacity, USF plays a crucial role in shaping the future of equitable and inclusive cities worldwide.
Looking Ahead: Fellowship Applications Reopen in 2026
The next round of applications for the USF International Fellowship Scheme will open in early 2026.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to:
- Review previous application details and eligibility criteria on the USF website;
- Begin preparing research proposals and institutional partnerships in advance;
- Subscribe to the USF mailing list or follow the Foundation on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and Instagram for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for USF International Fellows 2025–2026
Q1: What is the USF International Fellowship Programme?
A: It is a research fellowship designed for early-to-mid-career scholars from the Global South to conduct innovative urban studies research with international mentorship and institutional support.
Q2: Who can apply for the next round (2026)?
A: Applicants must be researchers based in the Global South, with a proven track record in urban studies or a closely related field.
Q3: What type of research does the fellowship support?
A: The programme supports work on critical, comparative, and policy-relevant urban themes, including housing, infrastructure, governance, culture, environment, and urban inequality.
Q4: What are the fellowship benefits?
A: Fellows receive:
- A research grant and stipend,
- Access to world-class host institutions,
- Mentorship from senior academics,
- Opportunities to publish, collaborate, and present their research internationally.
Q5: How long does the fellowship last?
A: The fellowship typically runs for 12 months, allowing fellows to conduct fieldwork, collaborate internationally, and produce a major research output.
Q6: Is the fellowship fully funded?
A: Yes. The fellowship covers research-related expenses, travel (if applicable), and stipends, depending on project scope and location.
Q7: How competitive is the selection process?
A: Highly competitive. Each year, only 8–12 fellows are selected based on research quality, innovation, and contribution to global urban studies.
Q8: Can scholars from any discipline apply?
A: Yes. The programme welcomes interdisciplinary researchers in geography, sociology, anthropology, political science, architecture, or environmental studies, as long as their work addresses urban issues.
Q9: When will the 2026 application cycle open?
A: The 2026 cycle is expected to open in early 2026. Updates will be announced on the USF website.
Q10: How can I stay informed about upcoming opportunities?
A: Subscribe to the USF newsletter or follow the Foundation on social media:
Keywords
USF International Fellowship 2025–2026, Urban Studies Foundation research fellows, Global South urban research grants, early-career researcher funding, international academic fellowships, USF 2026 applications, urban governance research, sustainable cities, inclusive urbanism, mentorship for global scholars
