Deadline: 24-May-2026
The African Leadership Centre Peace, Security and Development Fellowship is designed to train emerging African scholars and professionals in leadership, governance, and peacebuilding.
It integrates academic learning, applied research, and institutional engagement to strengthen African-led approaches to peace and development.
The programme combines:
- MSc Global Leadership and Peacebuilding (King’s College London)
- Research and policy development training
- Mentorship and leadership development
- Institutional exchanges in Africa and Europe
- Practical peace and security engagement
Key Focus Areas
The fellowship focuses on:
- Leadership and governance in Africa
- Peacebuilding and conflict resolution
- Security studies and policy analysis
- Development studies and practice
- Academic research and publishing
- African-led solutions to conflict
- Institutional collaboration and exchange
- Capacity building in higher education and policy systems
- Mentoring and peer learning systems
Programme Structure (18 Months)
The fellowship is divided into two phases:
Phase 1 (12 Months)
Participants will:
- Study at King’s College London
- Spend short periods at the African Leadership Centre in Nairobi
- Participate in simulation exercises and training sessions
- Engage in academic research on African peace and security issues
- Visit policy and research institutions in Africa and Europe
- Develop research papers on peace, security, and development
Phase 2 (6 Months)
Participants will:
- Undertake placements at partner African universities
- Engage in teaching and academic activities
- Participate in policy research and institutional work
- Conduct an in-depth research project
- Produce a policy brief for publication and dissemination
Funding and Support
The fellowship is fully funded and includes:
- Full tuition coverage for the MSc programme
- Accommodation support
- Subsistence support in the UK and Africa
- Research-related expenses
- Programme travel costs
Not covered:
- Visa application and processing fees
- Personal accommodation arrangements in the UK and Africa
Additional Learning Components
Fellows also receive:
- One-on-one and group mentoring
- Peer learning and cohort engagement
- Simulation-based training exercises
- Institutional visits and exposure
- Leadership development workshops
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must:
- Be citizens of an African country
- Hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree (or equivalent experience)
- Demonstrate interest in peace, security, and development
- Show academic or professional engagement in relevant fields
- Be emerging scholars or practitioners in related disciplines
Encouraged Disciplines
Applicants from the following fields are encouraged:
- Political science
- International relations
- Law
- History
- Development studies
- Peace and conflict studies
- Security studies
- Related social science disciplines
Junior faculty members at African universities are especially encouraged to apply.
Programme Objectives
The fellowship aims to:
- Strengthen African scholarship in peace and security
- Develop future leaders in governance and development
- Promote African-led research and policy solutions
- Enhance academic and institutional collaboration
- Build capacity in African higher education systems
- Support evidence-based policy development
Why This Fellowship Matters
This programme strengthens Africa’s intellectual and leadership capacity in peace and security by combining academic training with real-world policy engagement.
It helps:
- Develop expert African scholars and practitioners
- Strengthen peacebuilding and governance systems
- Improve policy research and academic output
- Promote African-led solutions to regional challenges
- Build strong institutional networks across Africa and beyond
Conclusion
The African Leadership Centre Peace, Security and Development Fellowship is a fully funded 18-month programme combining MSc study at King’s College London with training in Nairobi and academic placements in Africa. It equips emerging African scholars with advanced skills in leadership, peacebuilding, and policy research to support sustainable peace and development across the continent.
For more information, visit African Leadership Centre.