About this opportunity
Vital Strategies built this fellowship around a specific gap: the research expertise needed to guide national food policy is thin in the very countries where food environments are changing fastest. The programme strengthens the health systems of its five focus countries, Ghana, Kenya, Vietnam, Uganda and Indonesia, by training doctoral researchers who can design, conduct, analyse, present and promote research that national policymakers can actually use. It is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and run by Vital Strategies, the global public health organisation.
The support is comprehensive rather than a small stipend. The fellowship covers tuition, living expenses limited to rent, local public transport and utilities, health insurance for the fellow, travel, and one time costs such as a laptop, software and books. Fellows are expected to pursue studies that combine classroom theory with field based research, and the programme favours applicants working in health economics, nutrition, marketing, food access, health behaviour or a related discipline, with a background in healthy food policy or research of national importance. Strong preference goes to candidates committed to working in their own country afterwards.
Entry is limited by residence, not by nationality. Applicants must reside in one of the five focus countries, and Vital Strategies states clearly that reside includes non citizens holding long term residency in that country. For a Nigerian researcher this call is out of scope, but for a Ghanaian, Kenyan or Ugandan applicant, or for anyone with long term residency in those three countries, it is one of the better funded routes into food policy research in Africa. Applicants must also be in the process of applying for, or already accepted to, a PhD for the upcoming semester and must not yet be enrolled in that programme.
The process runs through the ReviewR portal and needs two letters of recommendation submitted by the closing date. Applications close at 11:59 PM Eastern time on 2 November 2026 and results are announced in December 2026. Anyone with questions about the portal can write to fellowships@vitalstrategies.org.
What you receive
- Tuition covered for the PhD programme
- Living expenses covered, limited to rent, local public transport and utilities
- Health insurance for the fellow, normally the plan recommended by the school
- Travel costs covered
- One time costs covered, including a laptop, software and books
- A research community focused on food policy in the five focus countries
- A route into national, subnational and local food policy work with governments, universities and non government organisations
Who can apply
- Applicant resides in Ghana, Kenya, Vietnam, Uganda or Indonesia. Reside includes non citizens with long term residency in that country
- Applicant is in the process of applying for, or has been accepted to, a PhD for the upcoming semester and has not yet enrolled in it
- The PhD is in a field that can contribute to healthier food environments through public policy, such as health economics, nutrition, marketing, food access or health behaviour
- The chosen university offers the combination of theoretical coursework and practical, field based research that the programme looks for
- Applicant has a background in healthy food policy, or experience in one of the academic areas of interest
- Applicant demonstrates a commitment to improving public policy for a healthier food environment in their country of residence
- Applicant has no conflict of interest with the sugary drink, ultra processed food, alcohol or tobacco industries, or their agents and associates, in the two years before applying
- Applicants who can show past work or future interest in research of national level importance are encouraged to apply
Who should not apply
- Applicants from or residing outside the five focus countries are not considered in this round
- Candidates who have already started the PhD programme for which support is sought are not eligible
- Anyone with a recent or current affiliation with the sugary drink, ultra processed food, alcohol or tobacco industries, or their agents, is excluded
- Fellows must not accept support from those industries until at least five years after completing their education, and breach can end the fellowship and require funds to be returned
Documents to prepare
- A completed online application submitted through ReviewR
- A curriculum vitae in English covering academic background, research and work experience, publications and academic presentations
- Two letters of recommendation submitted by your referees through ReviewR in English
- Confirmation of your PhD application or admission for the upcoming semester
How to apply
- Read the programme page at https://www.vitalstrategies.org/issues/food-policy/healthy-food-policy-fellowship/ and check your situation against the stated criteria.
- Confirm that you reside in Ghana, Kenya, Vietnam, Uganda or Indonesia, and that you are applying for or accepted to a PhD for the upcoming semester but not yet enrolled.
- Create an account, or log in, on the application portal at https://my.reviewr.com/s2/site/food_policy_fellowship and complete the online application.
- Request two letters of recommendation through ReviewR. Each referee is emailed instructions and a link to upload their letter in English, and both letters must arrive before the closing date.
- Upload your curriculum vitae in English with your academic background, research and work experience, publications and academic presentations.
- Submit everything by 11:59 PM Eastern time on 2 November 2026. Results are announced in December 2026.
- If the portal gives trouble, write to fellowships@vitalstrategies.org before the closing date.
Selection process
- Vital Strategies reviews applications submitted through the ReviewR portal against the published criteria
- Preference is given to candidates committed to working in their own country after the programme and to research that combines theory with field based work
- Conflict of interest declarations covering the sugary drink, ultra processed food, alcohol and tobacco industries are checked as part of the review
- Results are announced in December 2026
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- DAAD In-Country and In-Region Scholarships for Sub-Saharan Africa: Funded Master’s Degrees in Development Related Fields
The DAAD In-Country/In-Region Programme funds development related Master’s degrees for graduates and postgraduates from Sub-Saharan Africa, either in their own country or in another country in the region. The award runs for the regular duration of the course, generally up to two years, and covers a monthly scholarship, tuition fees, a study and research allowance, thesis publishing costs and health insurance, with a travel allowance for In-Region holders. Applications for the round now open close on 12 November 2026.
Questions applicants ask
What does the fellowship pay for?
Tuition, living expenses limited to rent, local public transport and utilities, health insurance for the fellow, travel, and one time costs such as a laptop, software and books. No single cash figure is published.
Can a Nigerian apply?
Not in this round. The programme considers only applicants from or residing in Ghana, Kenya, Vietnam, Uganda or Indonesia.
Do I need to be a citizen of a focus country?
No. The programme states that reside includes people who are not citizens of a country but hold long term residency there.
Can I already be doing my PhD?
No. The fellowship supports candidates who are applying for, or have been accepted to, a PhD for the upcoming semester and have not yet started it.
When is the deadline?
Applications close at 11:59 PM Eastern time on 2 November 2026, with results announced in December 2026.
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