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Apply for Moses Mapesa Research Grant – Africa

Deadline: 31-Jul-25

The African World Heritage Fund is pleased to announce the Moses Mapesa Research Grant, established to support African doctoral and master’s students conducting research in the field of natural and cultural heritage.

This grant aims to advance scholarly work by providing financial support—particularly for fieldwork-related activities—focused on World Heritage Sites and properties included on national Tentative Lists across Africa. Through this initiative, AWHF seeks to strengthen academic engagement and build a new generation of African experts dedicated to the protection, conservation, and sustainable management of the continent’s rich heritage.

Topics
  • Traditional (custodianship) management systems
  • Heritage risk management and preparedness
  • Heritage in conflict and post-conflict situations
  • Heritage management and conservation
  • Heritage and climate change
  • Heritage presentation and interpretation
  • Heritage and economics/entrepreneurship
  • Heritage and sustainable development
  • Heritage promotion and awareness
  • Heritage, legal/police frameworks, and human rights
  • Heritage and digital technologies and artificial intelligence
  • Heritage and Authenticity
  • Heritage, Youth, and Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission
Funding Information
  • Grant amounts will vary depending on research proposals, with a maximum award of USD Five Thousand (5,000.00).
  • The fieldwork research needs to be conducted in no longer than 9 months from the signature of the contract (May 2026 to February 2027).
Eligibility Criteria
  • The call is open to students who are:
    • Currently or will be registered in 2026 in a Doctoral or Master’s programme (Masters 2 for Francophone countries) at an African university and conducting dissertation research in the field of either natural or cultural heritage at an African World Heritage Site, or site listed on a national tentative list,
    • Fluent in English, French, or Portuguese,
    • Citizens of an African Union Member State which is party to the 1972 World Heritage Convention.
Evaluation Criteria
  • Eligibility of applicant,
  • Completed application package (application form, CV, motivation letter, transcript of qualification or current enrolment & complete research proposal),
  • Quality and relevance of the research proposed,
  • Gender, language, and geographic balance.
Application Requirements
  • The completed application form (co-signed by the supervisor);
  • A letter of motivation by the applicant (1 page maximum),
  • Applicant’s updated curriculum vitae (2 pages maximum),
  • Proof of course registration and /or letter of acceptance from higher learning institute or University,
  • Research proposal (2 pages maximum) including the following:
    • Full name, affiliated university, country, degree level, title of research and related World Heritage or tentative listed site,
    • Description of research (Goal/objectives, research question/s, relevance, significance, justification, scope, and expected outcomes),
    • Research methodology (approach, timeframe, analysis),
    • Bibliography,
    • Budget (indicate funds from all sources, stating specifically the field work items this grant would be for with justifications as to the need).
    • Budget that includes sources and amounts of supportive funds, if any.

For more information, visit AWHF.

How to Successfully Apply for the Moses Mapesa Research Grant for African Heritage Scholars