The African Design Centre (ADC) Fellowship

The ADC Fellowship seeks emerging design leaders with a demonstrated commitment to advancing social justice and environmental responsibility through their work, deeply rooted in African heritage.

🏢 About The African Design Centre (ADC) Fellowship

The ADC Fellowship is a twelve-month hands-on residency program in Kigali, Rwanda, designed for nationals of African countries. This program aims to foster and incubate future African architects and designers by providing essential tools, mentorship, and resources. The goal is to empower Fellows to develop culturally grounded and community-driven design solutions that address Africa's significant infrastructure challenges while preserving and integrating the continent's architectural heritage.

Focus Areas

The Fellowship focuses on three key areas:

• Maternal & Newborn Health: Designing dignified spaces for care, growth, and resilience from birth onward.
• Expanding Opportunities: Creating spaces that cultivate innovation, skills, and local enterprise.
• Building a Climate-Positive Future: Advancing ecological stewardship and community well-being to ensure people and nature thrive together.

🎯 Ideal Candidate

The ADC Fellowship is looking for:

• Emerging design leaders committed to social justice and environmental responsibility.
• Early to mid-career professionals interested in addressing inequitable development, healthcare access gaps, climate vulnerability, and barriers to education and economic opportunity across Africa.

✨ Fellowship Benefits

• Mentorship: Support from MASS program staff, assigned design, and professional mentors.
• Paid Fellowship: Relocation to Kigali, Rwanda, for 12 months.
• Ongoing Support: In the second year, Fellows receive remote mentorship and regular check-ins with the MASS team.
• Research Opportunities: Potential eligibility for funded support to pursue independent research initiatives.

📋 Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the ADC Fellowship, applicants must:

• Be nationals of an African country, aged 35 years or below.
• Be built-environment professionals with a degree in architecture, urban design, landscape, engineering, or a related field.
• Be able to relocate to Kigali, Rwanda, from September 2025 to August 2026.

🛠️ Fellowship Activities

During the Fellowship, participants will:

• Conduct Research: Explore indigenous knowledge systems, vernacular architecture, and urban patterns.
• Pilot Projects: Engage in community-based design projects within the designated focus areas.
• Disseminate Knowledge: Publish reflective pieces to share insights gained during the Fellowship.

📅 Fellowship Timeline

• In-Person Fellowship and Residency in Kigali, Rwanda: September 2025 – August 2026.
• ADC Fellowship Network and Community of Practice: September 2026 – August 2027.

📝 Application Process

The application process consists of three stages:

1. Stage 1: Expression of interest. Candidates submit resumes/CVs, references, portfolios, and a statement of alignment.
2. Stage 2: Shortlisted candidates submit pre-fellowship essays and confirm availability for full participation.
3. Stage 3: Finalists participate in interviews.

📌 Important Dates

• Date Published: July 3, 2025
• Application Deadline: July 13, 2025

🌐 How to Apply

• Apply via the official application portal.
• View more details about the fellowship on the MASS Design Group website.

🤝 Sponsor Organization

The ADC Fellowship is sponsored by MASS Design Group.

For more information, visit the official application portal or contact the MASS Design Group.

• Fellows will receive support from MASS program staff, assigned design and professional mentors.
• This is a paid fellowship that requires relocation to Kigali, Rwanda, for 12 months.
• In the second year, Fellows receive ongoing remote mentorship and regular check-ins with the MASS team.
• They may also be eligible for funded support to pursue independent research initiatives.