Category: Internship | Research & Policy | Health, Data Science, Gender, Finance, Communications and More Location: Nairobi, Kenya (Hybrid) | Deadline: 13th April 2026
The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) — one of Africa’s most respected research-to-policy institutions — has opened applications for its 2026 Internship Programme. With 35 project placements available across research, data science, communications, finance, and programme administration, this is one of the most diverse and competitive graduate internship opportunities on the continent this year.
Internships run for three to six months, commencing May 2026.
About APHRC
APHRC is a premier research institution headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with a continental mandate. Its work centres on generating evidence, strengthening research capacity across sub-Saharan Africa, and engaging policymakers to drive evidence-informed decision-making in health and development.
Through its Research and Related Capacity Strengthening (RRCS) Programme, APHRC runs a demand-driven internship initiative designed to nurture talented young Africans into future scholars, research leaders, and aligned professionals. This programme has placed hundreds of graduates across the continent over the years, and its alumni occupy influential roles in academia, government, and international development.
Available Internship Projects
APHRC is offering placements across 35 projects spanning a wide range of disciplines:
- Gender and Education
- ICT — General Administration and Software Development
- Cardiometabolic and Mental Health Research (M-Care Trial)
- Data Science — Platform Testing, Software Development, AI/ML, and Full Stack Development
- Adolescent Social Exclusion Research (CARTA)
- Facilities Management
- Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
- Abortion Research — Challenging the Politics of Social Exclusion
- Catalyze Impact Initiative
- Cross-Border Evidence and Policy (CACEPS) — Multiple Work Packages
- Climate, Health, and Financing (Fin4ClimHealth)
- Land Restoration and Human Health
- Clean Cooking and Agroforestry (Wellcome C2A)
- Programme Evaluation
- People and Culture
- WFP Home Grown School Feeding Project
- International Programmes — Administration, Liaison, Partnerships, and Communications
- Evidence for AI in Health (EVAH)
- Early Childhood Development — Data Visualisation and Multisectoral Coordination
- Finance
What You Will Be Expected to Do
Regardless of the project you are placed in, all interns will be required to:
- Develop a set of internship objectives and a work plan in collaboration with their assigned supervisor
- Provide regular project updates and progress reports
- Contribute to policy engagement and strategic planning as needed
- Deliver at least one Brown Bag Presentation (BBP) on their work at APHRC
- Submit a written report at least one week before the end of the internship
- Complete an internship feedback form and participate in the follow-up evaluation survey
Who Is Eligible to Apply
- Graduates who have completed a bachelor’s degree within the last six months, and/or candidates currently pursuing or completing a master’s degree
- Relevant fields include: population studies, demography, statistics, epidemiology, economics, social sciences, and related disciplines — specific requirements vary by project
- Quantitative and qualitative analytical skills are required for research-focused placements
- This call is open exclusively to nationals of sub-Saharan African countries
- The internship is hybrid — interns must be physically available when required for in-person activities
Why This Internship Is Worth Pursuing Seriously
APHRC’s internship programme is not a passive learning experience. Interns are embedded in active research projects with real deliverables, real supervisors, and real impact on policy across the continent. The exposure to multi-country research, world-class mentorship, and an institutional network spanning African governments, international funders, and academic institutions is significant.
Competition for these placements is high. APHRC receives applications from across sub-Saharan Africa, and with 35 slots available across highly varied projects, the strength of your application documents will determine whether you are shortlisted.
What Your Application Must Include
APHRC operates a two-step application process.
Step one requires completing a short online survey available on the APHRC website.
Step two requires sending a single PDF document via email containing:
- A curriculum vitae of no more than two pages
- Your certificate of completed undergraduate or master’s degree
- Any other relevant certificates
- One to two letters of recommendation, each no longer than one page — at least one must be from a current or previous academic supervisor
Send the PDF to: aphrctraining@aphrc.org Subject line: 2026 INTERNSHIP
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered under any circumstances.
Deadline: 13th April 2026
Address your application to: The Internship and Visiting Scholar Review Committee African Population and Health Research Center APHRC Campus, Manga Close, off Kirawa Road, Kitisuru P.O. Box 10787-GPO, Nairobi Website: www.aphrc.org
Your CV Must Be Two Pages — Not One Word More
APHRC is explicit: your CV must not exceed two pages. This is a hard limit, and submitting a CV that runs beyond two pages signals poor attention to instruction — one of the first things a research institution will notice.
Compressing your academic background, research experience, skills, and relevant achievements into two well-structured, impactful pages requires discipline and professional expertise. A cluttered, oversized, or generic CV will not serve you in a competitive process like this.
Your cover letter — or statement of interest — and your recommendation letters will also carry significant weight. The quality of your writing, the clarity of your reasoning, and the specificity of your interest in a particular project will all be evaluated.
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Final Word
The APHRC 2026 Internship Programme is a genuine career-building opportunity for talented young Africans at the graduate level. The range of projects on offer means there is a relevant placement for almost any discipline — but the competition is real, the deadline is firm, and the documentation requirements are strict.
Prepare your application with care. Follow every instruction precisely. And if you need professional support to get your documents to the standard this opportunity demands, reach out now — the deadline is 13th April 2026.
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