Fellowships

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMMES Our Fellowship Programmes open the door to in-depth learning and practical experience within the United Nations human rights system. They are designed for individuals and professionals passionate about advancing human rights—whether they are civil society members, indigenous leaders, minority rights defenders, or staff of national human rights institutions. Through these programmes, fellows gain direct exposure to UN processes, receive specialized training, and develop the skills needed to advocate effectively for human rights in their communities and on the global stage. Each fellowship focuses on a specific area—ranging from indigenous peoples’ rights to minority protection, African descent empowerment, humanitarian assistance, and institutional capacity building. Participants benefit from expert-led sessions, networking opportunities, and firsthand experience in Geneva, Strasbourg, and other international hubs. Graduates return equipped with enhanced knowledge, practical tools, and stronger connections to the international human rights movement. Learn more about OHCHR Fellowship Programmes ›

2026 World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program – Apply! The World Bank Group (WBG) Africa Region is pleased to announce the upcoming application period for the 2026 Africa Fellowship Program. This transformative initiative is designed for Ph.D. candidates and recent Ph.D. graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa, with a strong encouragement for women to apply. The fellowship provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in international development and contribute meaningfully to global efforts to eliminate poverty and increase shared prosperity. Since its inception in 2013, the program has cultivated a pipeline of exceptional African scholars who have gone on to shape policy, research, and practice across the continent and globally. In 2025 alone, over 3,000 candidates applied, with 26 fellows selected, 54% of whom were women. These fellows hailed from 15 African countries and joined departments across the WBG, including the Development Research Group, Climate Finance Mobilization, Health, Nutrition & Population, and more. What the Fellowship OffersSelected fellows will spend six months (January–June 2026) at WBG headquarters in Washington, D.C., or at a country office, contributing to: Research and data analysisEconomic policy and lending operationsTechnical assistanceKnowledge generation and disseminationFellows will also benefit from access to leading development experts, global networks, and mentorship from WBG professionals. Eligibility CriteriaTo qualify for the program, applicants must: Be a Sub-Saharan Africa nationalBe under 32 years old by the close of applicationsBe enrolled in a Ph.D. program (final year) or have completed a Ph.D. within the last 3 yearsHave an excellent command of EnglishPossess strong quantitative and analytical skillsSelection ProcessShortlisting: Candidates are reviewed and matched with suitable WBG units based on their areas of expertise.Final Selection: After unit consultations, finalists are offered six-month consultancy positions starting January 2026.Fellows receive consultant compensation and round-trip economy airfare to their duty station. Impact of the FellowshipAlumni of the Africa Fellowship Program have joined the World Bank Group as consultants, young professionals, and economists. Others have gone on to impactful roles at the IMF, African universities, and global think tanks. The program’s success lies not just in skill development but in the real-world contributions fellows make during their assignments. Apply and Lead the ChangeIf you’re a young African scholar ready to influence development policy and practice, this is your chance. Join a growing network of changemakers shaping Africa’s future—one research insight, one policy brief, one impactful project at a time. 🟩 Applications for the 2026 WBG Africa Fellowship Program open HERE soon. Learn about the 2025 WBG-Africa Fellows

The Continuation of the Revolutionary African Woman. We are grateful to share this CFP that we have been working from the heart and with honor of African women at its center — The Continuation of the Revolutionary African Woman. This Special Issue of Siyabonana: The Journal of Africana Studies calls for scholarship, stories and poetry, essays, interviews, etc. about and from our global African women storytellers. We imagine a collection that encourages us to consider her epistemologies, and the way she shares them out through the diverse and expansive ways she tells stories and passes on her knowledge.   We hope that you consider submitting and sharing with others. See the deadlines, details, and contacts below. The CFP is linked here and attached.    Abstracts Due: May 31, 2025 Notification of Acceptance: June 30, 2025 Completed Submissions Due: September 30, 2025 Publication: February/March (Winter 2026)   All abstracts and submissions should be uploaded to the submissions page on the journal website at https://www.journalofafricanastudies.com/submissions.

The African Centre for Career Enhancement & Skills Support (ACCESS) The African Centre for Career Enhancement & Skills Support (ACCESS) is pleased to announce a call for applications for five doctoral scholarships. The ACCESS project, financed since 2020 by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), analyzes the employability of university graduates within the African context. It aims to research how graduates in Africa search and find work and build up their careers, and to develop and test innovative concepts for employability promotion at Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in Africa. A monthly stipend of €1,300 and related travel grants will be paid according to DAAD guidelines. Participants will be supported for a maximum of three years, within which they will be expected to produce their PhD thesis in an appropriate subject area. The deadline for submission is 30 April 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed via Zoom. For more information about this scheme and details about applying, please refer to the call: https://lnkd.in/edv79nV4 Five ACCESS doctoral scholarships for graduates who have masters degree- Previous studies in areas such as history, politics, economics, business studies, education, anthropology, human geography, information systems, engineering, etc. – A PhD topic which is related to the aims of the ACCESS programme. – Be a citizen of Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, or Tunisia. Deadline: 30.04.2025

CODESRIA invites calls for proposals: for its maiden African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous and Alternative Knowledges. CODESRIA invites calls for proposals: for its maiden African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous and Alternative Knowledges. This new research and fellowship programme is offered with the support of the Mastercard Foundation as part of its commitment to advance education and skills for young people in Africa, and in recognition of the contribution of the late Ghanaian intellectual, Dr Sulley Gariba in advocating for the place of African knowledge in Research and Evaluation. Deadline: 15 May 2025.https://codesria.org/call-for-proposals-african-fellowships-for-research-in-indigenous-and-alternative-knowledges-afriak/