CFAs: Moses Mapesa Education and Research Grant

Applications are open for the Moses Mapesa Education and Research Grant, which supports Master’s and Doctoral students in Africa conducting research on cultural and natural heritage linked to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Tentative List sites. The grant focuses on strengthening academic research that contributes to heritage conservation, management, and policy development. Funding is primarily intended for fieldwork and dissertation-related activities.

Program Purpose and Core Objectives

The grant aims to support the generation of high-quality academic research on African heritage sites and strengthen knowledge systems related to World Heritage conservation and management.

Key objectives include:

Supporting Master’s and PhD-level research on African heritage sites
Strengthening understanding of World Heritage conservation challenges
Promoting interdisciplinary research on cultural and natural heritage
Enhancing knowledge on heritage protection, management, and sustainability
Supporting evidence-based contributions to UNESCO World Heritage practices

The program emphasizes applied research that directly contributes to heritage preservation, policy, and community engagement.

Eligible Research Themes

Applicants must focus on heritage-related topics connected to African World Heritage Sites or Tentative List sites.

Core research themes include:

Traditional custodianship systems and indigenous knowledge
Heritage risk management and disaster preparedness
Heritage in conflict and post-conflict settings
Conservation and management of cultural and natural heritage
Climate change impacts on heritage sites
Heritage interpretation, presentation, and education
Heritage economics, entrepreneurship, and sustainable tourism
Legal frameworks, governance, and human rights in heritage
Digital technologies and artificial intelligence in heritage
Authenticity, identity, and cultural continuity
Youth engagement and intergenerational knowledge transmission
Heritage promotion and awareness strategies

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility is strictly defined based on academic level, institutional affiliation, nationality, and research focus.

Eligible applicants must:

Be Master’s or Doctoral students (or equivalent, including Master’s 2 in Francophone systems)
Be currently registered or planning to register in 2026 at an African university
Be conducting dissertation research in cultural or natural heritage
Focus research on:
- An African UNESCO World Heritage Site, or
- A site included on a national Tentative List

Additional requirements:

Must be citizens of an African Union Member State
The country must be a party to the 1972 World Heritage Convention
Research must be conducted in English, French, or Portuguese

Grant Funding and Coverage

The grant provides financial support of up to USD 5,000 per award, depending on the proposal quality and scope.

Funding structure:

Maximum grant amount: USD 5,000
Funding duration: Up to 9 months
Implementation period: May 2026 to February 2027
Funding type: Direct project costs only

Eligible expenses include:

Fieldwork and travel related to research
Data collection and site visits
Research materials and tools
Field-based academic activities

Additional requirements:

Applicants must indicate co-funding or state contributions where applicable
Budget must clearly align with research objectives

How the Program Works

The application and implementation process follows a structured academic grant model:

Step 1: Submission of research proposal and application package
Step 2: Eligibility screening based on academic and thematic criteria
Step 3: Review of proposal quality and completeness
Step 4: Evaluation based on academic merit and relevance
Step 5: Selection of successful candidates
Step 6: Grant agreement and research funding disbursement
Step 7: Research implementation (up to 9 months)
Step 8: Submission of progress updates and final report

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are assessed using both academic and strategic development criteria.

Primary evaluation factors:

Eligibility compliance and completeness of application
Relevance to African World Heritage Sites or Tentative Lists
Quality and clarity of research proposal
Methodological soundness and academic rigor
Contribution to heritage knowledge and conservation practice

Additional considerations:

Gender balance in selection
Language diversity (English, French, Portuguese)
Geographic representation across African regions
Alignment with heritage conservation priorities

Research Output Requirements

Selected candidates are required to produce structured academic outputs.

Expected deliverables include:

Periodic progress reports during the research period
Final dissertation or research report
Documentation of fieldwork and findings
Contribution to heritage knowledge systems

Key Concepts Explained

World Heritage Sites:

Locations recognized by UNESCO for outstanding cultural or natural value
Protected under the 1972 World Heritage Convention

Tentative List Sites:

Sites proposed by countries for future UNESCO nomination
Required step before formal inscription

Heritage research:

Academic study of cultural and natural heritage systems
Includes conservation, governance, climate impact, and community engagement

Fieldwork-based research:

Data collection conducted directly at heritage sites
Includes interviews, observations, surveys, and site documentation

Why This Program Matters

The grant strengthens African heritage research ecosystems by:

Supporting early-career researchers and graduate students
Improving academic understanding of World Heritage challenges
Generating locally grounded research evidence
Supporting policy-relevant heritage knowledge production
Strengthening interdisciplinary approaches to heritage studies
Enhancing documentation and protection of vulnerable heritage sites

Overall, it builds a stronger academic foundation for heritage conservation and sustainable development in Africa.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Application mistakes:

Weak alignment with World Heritage Sites or Tentative Lists
Poorly defined research questions
Lack of methodological clarity
Missing eligibility documentation

Budget and planning mistakes:

Incomplete or unrealistic fieldwork budgeting
No justification for travel or data collection costs
Lack of co-funding indication where required

Research design mistakes:

Overly broad or non-site-specific topics
Weak connection to heritage conservation outcomes
Lack of academic rigor or structure

Tips for a Strong Application

Strong applications typically include:

Clear focus on a specific World Heritage or Tentative List site
Well-defined research questions and methodology
Strong justification for fieldwork activities
Clear contribution to heritage conservation knowledge

Best practices:

Align research with listed thematic priorities
Demonstrate feasibility within a 9-month timeframe
Include interdisciplinary perspectives where relevant
Ensure strong academic supervision and institutional support

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can apply for the grant?

Master’s and Doctoral students (or equivalent) enrolled in African universities.

What is the funding amount?

Up to USD 5,000 per award.

What is the research duration?

Up to 9 months, from May 2026 to February 2027.

What topics are eligible?

Research related to cultural or natural heritage at African World Heritage or Tentative List sites.

What expenses are covered?

Direct fieldwork and research-related costs only.

What languages are accepted?

English, French, and Portuguese.

Is co-funding required?

Applicants must indicate co-funding or state contributions where applicable.

Conclusion

The Moses Mapesa Education and Research Grant supports graduate-level research that advances understanding of African cultural and natural heritage. By funding fieldwork-based academic studies on World Heritage and Tentative List sites, the program strengthens evidence-based conservation knowledge, supports emerging researchers, and contributes to long-term heritage protection and policy development across Africa.