Deadline: 16- Jan-2026
The Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowship Program provides support for topics related to Peacebuilding, Governance, and Developmental Dynamics.
The thematic priorities encompass a wide range of interconnected issues, including Climate, Environment, and Resources—such as climate change, energy transitions, and natural resource conflicts; Justice, Peace, and Regional or International Stakeholders—covering human rights, peace education, regionalism, and transitional justice; Nationalism, Identity, Religion, and Culture—addressing diversity, citizenship, and the roles of women and youth in peacebuilding; State and Non-state Stakeholders, Governance, and Conflict—focusing on peacebuilding interventions, displacement, political transitions, security, and post-conflict reconstruction; and Technology, Media, and Arts—exploring the influence of artificial intelligence, digital ecologies, media, and the arts in promoting peace.
Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in two mandatory APDD workshops held in July and January across different regions of Africa to refine their research focus and strengthen field-based methodologies. These workshops also support scholarly writing and capacity development for academic publications.
Fellows will benefit from mentorship provided by experienced senior scholars and from peer-to-peer collaboration to enhance their academic and professional growth. Selected fellows will receive funding to cover field research, equipment, publications, and dissemination costs, up to a total of US$12,000.
Eligibility for the fellowship requires applicants to be African citizens residing in an African country and enrolled in a PhD program at an accredited university in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda. Applicants must have a fully developed and institutionally approved doctoral dissertation proposal, as well as ethical clearance for their research instruments. The program gives priority to individuals holding faculty positions or demonstrating long-term commitment to higher education in Africa.
Applications will be reviewed based on thematic alignment, originality, methodological quality, relevance to scholarly discourse, and feasibility of completion. Applicants must submit all required documents, including a dissertation proposal, research instruments, ethical clearance, chapter outline, CV, degree certificate, research timeline, budget, enrollment letter, and two reference letters from academic supervisors or institutional heads.
The deadline for applications is 16 January 2026.
For more information, visit SSRC.
