Associateships for Sub-Saharan Africa

ICTP announces a special edition of its Associates Programme aimed at Sub-Saharan Africa. In honour of founder Abdus Salam's centennial anniversary in 2026, the Centre invites scientists working in the region to apply for associateships that would take effect in 2027.

This latest call for ICTP Associates places particular focus on Sub-Saharan countries to provide greater opportunities for researchers there to benefit from the research and networking opportunities at ICTP, reflecting the Centre's committed to supporting scientists from underrepresented regions.

The deadline to apply, using ICTP's online application system, is 28 February 2026. Successful applicants will be able to visit ICTP starting in 2027. The list of eligible countries can be found here.

The Associateships programme covers travel costs and provides a living allowance for developing-world scientists to visit ICTP several times over a six-year period. The number and length of those visits depends on the age of the scientist:

• Up to age 35: scientists in this age range are considered as Junior Associates and are entitled to visit ICTP three times for stays of between 30 and 60 days each;
• Age 36 to 45: scientists in this age range are considered as Regular Associates and are entitled to the same number of visits as a Junior Associate;
• Age 45 to 65: scientists over the age of 45 are considered Senior Associates and are entitled to a lump sum of money that can be used for unlimited visits to ICTP of up to 60 days each.

Since the Associateships programme began in 1964, ICTP has supported the visits of more than 3000 Associates. Many have leveraged their ICTP experience to achieve success in their scientific careers. For example, ICTP Associate Omololu Akin-Ojo led ICTP's partner institute in Rwanda, the ICTP-East African Institute for Fundamental Research. Another ICTP Associate, Mary Teuw Niane, is the Minister of Higher Education and Research in Senegal.

For more details on how to apply to become an ICTP Associate, visit the Associateships web page.