Applications just opened for the second round of a fellowship that actually makes sense: the Africa CDC and AVMI Industrial Fellowship Programme in Vaccine Manufacturing. It targets recent graduates who want hands-on experience, not just theory. The problem? Africa currently has between 2,000 and 3,000 vaccine manufacturing professionals. To meet the 2040 goals, that number needs to hit 12,500. You do the math.
Sending people abroad for training is expensive and riddled with visa headaches. So instead, the Africa CDC and the African Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative (AVMI) launched this program in 2025. Fellows spend one full year at an actual vaccine manufacturing site in Egypt, Senegal, or South Africa. No classroom-only fluff. You’ll learn current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and come out employable.
The programme runs from July 2026 to September 2027. That’s fourteen months, give or take. You’ll be placed at an active vaccine manufacturing institution, not a pretend lab. Upon completion, you walk away with competencies straight from the Africa CDC’s own Vaccine R&D and Manufacturing Frameworks. This is a pretty straightforward program.
Program Details
- Host Institution: Africa CDC, in collaboration with AVMI.
- Field of Study: Vaccine Manufacturing (with focus on cGMP).
- Number of awards: 14.
- Duration: 1 year (July 2026 – September 2027).
- Eligible countries: Open to citizens of any African Union member state.
Africa CDC and AVMI Industrial Fellowship Benefits
Selected candidates get more than just a certificate. Africa CDC covers the following:
- Return flight tickets to the fellowship site;
- A modest monthly stipend for daily expenses;
- Visa fees and assistance with visa documents.
No tuition, no hidden costs. Just show up with your passport and willingness to learn.
Africa CDC and AVMI Industrial Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
This fellowship is for recent graduates, meaning no more than three years out of school. You need a bachelor’s or master’s in one of these fields:
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences;
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology;
- Chemistry and Biochemistry;
- Chemical Engineering;
- Biomanufacturing or vaccine manufacturing.
Furthermore, you must be an AU citizen with a valid passport. You need to be available to relocate to Egypt, Senegal, or South Africa for the fellowship. And you should speak either English or French well enough to work in a professional setting.
Note : One more thing: women are strongly encouraged to apply. Africa CDC doesn’t care about your gender, race, disability, religious belief, caste, or marital status. They just want qualified people.
Selection Process
A committee from Africa CDC, PHAHM, and AVMI will review all applications. Only 14 candidates get selected. If you don’t hear back, assume the answer is no; they only contact successful applicants.
Other Opportunities
How to Apply for the Africa CDC and AVMI Industrial Fellowship
Eligible candidates who are interested in this Africa
opportunity program must fill out the online application form. Please click on the apply button below to open the form. Make sure you complete it before the deadline.
Required Documents
You don’t need to upload much at this stage. The application form will ask for basic information. But keep your passport ready – you’ll need a valid one if selected.
- Valid passport (must have one);
- Proof of your highest degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s within the last 3 years);
- No transcripts required, just the qualification.
Note : Selected candidates will be notified by May 15, 2026. The fellowship starts in July 2026. Africa CDC is an equal-opportunity organization. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
The application deadline is . For more details, please visit the Africa CDC and AVMI Industrial Fellowship official page or contact them on [email protected]. And no, they don’t charge a fee to apply. So don’t fall for scams.