AfricaLics Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme 2027
About this opportunity
Fellowship for young African PhD students enrolled in African universities to visit and conduct research as part of the AfricaLics network.
The AfricaLics PhD Visiting Fellowship Programme (VFP) for the 2027 cohort supports African PhD students researching Innovation and Development (I&D). This programme combines online pre- and post-activities with a 3-month study period at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in South Africa, offering mentorship from scholars in the AfricaLics and Globelics networks. The fellowship aims to enhance research capabilities, improve dissertation quality, and prepare students for careers in academia, industry, or policymaking. The programme also fosters long-term engagement with the AfricaLics community through alumni activities, conferences, and webinars.
Eligibility is open to PhD students from low- and lower-middle-income African countries whose research focuses on innovation and sustainable development. Female applicants and those from low-income countries are particularly encouraged. Applicants must be enrolled at an African university, preferably having completed their first year by December 2026, and must already have secured basic funding for their PhD from other sources.
The fellowship includes a study visit from 6 September to 3 December 2027, followed by additional online activities in December 2027 and early 2088. The programme is jointly organized by the AfricaLics Research Coordination team at the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and UJ’s DSI-NRF Trilateral Research Chair in Transformative Innovation.
The fellowship is not fully funded; applicants must already have secured their PhD funding from other sources.
Key details
What you get
- Mentorship from AfricaLics and Globelics scholars
- Access to research resources and networks
- Networking opportunities with alumni and scholars
- Support for dissertation improvement and career development
Documents needed
- PhD application form
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Letter of recommendation from PhD supervisor
- Research proposal (max. 5 pages)
- Proof of PhD enrollment and funding from other sources
How to apply
- Submit an online application via the AfricaLics portal
- Provide required documents (CV, recommendation letter, research proposal, proof of enrollment and funding)
- Complete online pre-activities starting in February 2027
- Attend the 3-month study visit at University of Johannesburg (6 September–3 December 2027)
- Engage in post-programme online activities in December 2027 and early 2088
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