African Brain Health Institute (ABHI) Fellowship Program
Program Overview
The African Brain Health Institute (ABHI) Fellowship Program is a one-year non-academic program. Designed to strengthen research and training in brain health across Africa, with a focus on addressing brain health challenges in ways that reflect the continent’s cultural and social contexts.The program is a collaborative initiative with the Global Brain Health Institute and will be jointly hosted at The American University in Cairo (AUC) ,the Aga Khan University in Kenya, and University of Ibadan in Nigeria creating one connected fellowship with three sites, providing cross‑disciplinary training to understand the full scope of brain function and aging.
Hosting Institutions and Partners
The ABHI Fellowship is hosted through a strong network of academic and clinical institutions across Africa and internationally.
- American University in Cairo (AUC)
- Aga Khan University (Kenya)
- University of Ibadan
Applications for the first cohort is open (NOW), with a two-stage review process, and the program will officially start in September 2026.
Application Date: March 2026
- Produce African leaders capable of assessing continent‑specific brain science needs.
- Equip fellows to design region‑relevant solutions to brain health challenges.
- Provide cross‑disciplinary training to understand the full scope of brain function and aging.
- Explore neurodegenerative diseases, mental health resilience, and community‑based care.
- Support fellows to generate locally informed responses to public health concerns.
- Emerging or mid‑career professionals
- Active in brain health or a closely related field
- Demonstrate strong leadership potential
- Come from any relevant disciplinary background (e.g., medicine, public health, neuroscience, psychology, arts‑humanities, social sciences, advocacy)
- Have relevant experience and a track record of engagement in brain health, aging, mental health, or community‑based work
- Are committed to contributing to brain health leadership in Africa
No specific academic degree is mandatory, but applicants must show experience and meaningful involvement in brain health or a related area.
- Personalized mentorship from African and international experts
- Access to AUC, Aga Khan University (Kenya), University of Ibadan, and Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) resources
- Lived‑experience learning in clinical and community environments
- Integration into a continent‑wide peer network
- Benefit from GBHI’s decade of global leadership training (350+ fellows from 65+ countries)
- Opportunities for meaningful impact through applied research and community engagement
The ABHI Fellowship is a one‑year, full‑time non‑academic program delivered across three sites: AUC, Aga Khan University (Kenya) and the University of Ibadan.
Program Components
1. Foundational Concepts in Brain Health
- Dementia and neurodegenerative diseases
- Aging and cognition
- Neuroimaging basics
- Neuropsychology and lived experience
- Social determinants, health economics & policy
2. Leadership and Communication
- Leadership retreat
- Emotional intelligence and reflective practice
- Systems thinking and collaboration
- Cultural communication
- Presentation and science communication skills
3. Research and Proposal Development
- Epidemiology and study design
- Writing aims, pages and logic models
- Proposal development
- Work‑in‑progress presentations
- Pilot project development
4. Workshops and Creative Sessions
- Interdisciplinary workshops
- Arts, creativity, music, and language in brain health
- Health equity and social justice
5. Cross‑Site African Learning
- Each site hosts around 15 fellows
- Shared sessions across AUC, AKU, University of Ibadan
- Community engagement and lived experience integration
- Provide brief background information and upload required documents (e.g., CV).
- Share short written statements describing your motivation, experience, and goals.
- Enter contact details for two referees who can support your application.
- Submit the form to begin the two‑stage review process; shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview.
Perspectives From Program Leaders
The fellowship seeks to produce a cohort of African leaders to assess the specific brain science needs of people on the continent.
After more than a decade of training over 350 fellows from 65+ countries, GBHI at Trinity recognizes the urgent need and immense potential for Africa-led brain health leadership, and is proud to support the launch of the African Brain Health Institute.
We are looking forward to this exciting Pan-African initiative to help build much needed capacity in Brain Health Research and Care, in the continent.
| Contact Us |
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Institute of Global Health and Human Ecology [email protected] |