Entries open for the Harry Frank Guggenheim African Fellow Awards

Deadline: 01-Mar-2026

The Harry Frank Guggenheim African Fellow Awards support emerging African PhD scholars conducting high-quality research on violence and aggression related to the African continent. The fellowship provides funding, mentorship, training workshops, and publication support to strengthen evidence-based research that informs policy and practice to reduce violence. Applications are open annually, with a strong focus on relevance, rigor, and real-world impact.

Overview of the Fellowship

The Harry Frank Guggenheim African Fellow Awards (formerly known as the Harry Frank Guggenheim Young African Scholars Program) recognize and support early-career African researchers whose work advances understanding of violence and aggression in Africa.

The program is administered by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation and targets scholars whose research has direct relevance to contemporary violence-related challenges on the African continent.

Fellows are selected every two years as part of a competitive cohort, typically comprising around 12 emerging scholars.

Core Research Focus: Violence in the African Context

The Foundation defines violence broadly and encourages interdisciplinary approaches. Research topics may include, but are not limited to:

• War and armed conflict

• Crime and criminal violence

• Terrorism and political violence

• Family and intimate-partner violence

• Climate instability and natural resource competition

• Racial, ethnic, and religious conflict

• Political extremism and nationalism

Projects must clearly demonstrate how they relate directly to Africa, either in terms of geography, populations, or policy relevance.

Disciplinary Scope and Methodological Approach

The Foundation welcomes proposals from:

• Social sciences (e.g., sociology, political science, economics, anthropology)

• Natural sciences

• Allied and interdisciplinary fields

Priority is given to research that:

• Explains the causes, manifestations, and control of violence

• Offers insights relevant to policy, prevention, or mitigation

• Addresses urgent and contemporary forms of violence

Historical research is considered only when it clearly informs a current or ongoing violence-related issue.

Studies focused on the effects of violence must demonstrate how these effects contribute to future cycles of violence.

Fellowship Structure and Benefits

Each fellowship runs for two years and includes a comprehensive package of academic and professional support.

What the Fellowship Provides

• An in-person research methods workshop held on the African continent

• Fieldwork research funding of USD 10,000 per fellow

• Mentorship from senior African and Africanist scholars

• Sponsorship to attend an international conference to present findings

• A writing and publication workshop focused on peer-reviewed journals

• Editorial guidance to support international publication and dissemination

Eligible Research Costs

The Foundation funds fieldwork-related expenses, including:

• Travel and accommodation

• Living expenses during fieldwork

• Local research assistance

• Insurance and visa fees

• Transcription and data-processing costs

• Essential software or modest research equipment

• Compensation for informants or survey participants

All requested costs must be clearly justified in the budget narrative.

Costs Not Covered by the Fellowship

The Foundation does not fund:

• Institutional overhead or administrative fees

• Travel to professional meetings unrelated to fieldwork

• Self-education or degree-related tuition

• Expensive laboratory or major field equipment

• Dissemination costs unrelated to the Foundation-supported project

• Graduate research already fully funded elsewhere, unless a distinct Guggenheim-funded component is clearly defined

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Aged 40 years or younger at the time of application

• Currently enrolled in an accredited PhD program

• Enrolled at a higher-education institution in Africa

• Living on the African continent

• Conducting PhD-level research related to violence in Africa

Non-PhD candidates and scholars not enrolled at African institutions are not eligible.

Citizenship is open to all nationalities, provided the above conditions are met.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The Harry Frank Guggenheim African Fellow Awards play a critical role in:

• Strengthening African-led research on violence

• Building local research capacity and academic networks

• Connecting scholarship to policy and practice

• Elevating African scholars in global academic discourse

• Supporting evidence-based solutions to violence and conflict

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Application Timeline

• Applications are accepted annually

• Deadline: March 1

• Final decisions are made by the Foundation’s Board of Directors

• Applicants are notified promptly by email

Application Process

1. Visit the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation website

2. Create an online applicant account

3. Complete all required application sections

4. Upload supporting documents, including:

   • Curriculum Vitae (CV)

   • Proof of age

   • Proof of nationality

   • Research proposal

   • Completed budget worksheet and justification

5. Submit the application before the deadline

Late or incomplete applications are not considered.

Budget Requirements

• Use the Foundation’s official budget worksheet

• Provide a detailed explanation for each budget item

• Ensure all costs align with eligible fieldwork expenses

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting proposals not directly linked to Africa

• Weak justification for policy relevance or impact

• Incomplete or poorly explained budgets

• Proposing research outside the applicant’s PhD scope

• Missing required documents or submitting after the deadline

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is this fellowship open to Master’s students or postdoctoral researchers?

No. Only PhD candidates enrolled at African institutions are eligible.

2. Can applicants from outside Africa apply?

Yes, citizenship is unrestricted, but applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program in Africa and living on the continent.

3. How much funding does each fellow receive?

Each fellow receives USD 10,000 for fieldwork research, along with non-monetary academic support.

4. Are interdisciplinary research proposals allowed?

Yes. Interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches are strongly encouraged.

5. Does the fellowship support publication?

Yes. Fellows receive editorial assistance and participate in a writing workshop focused on peer-reviewed publication.

6. Is historical research eligible?

Only if it clearly informs a current violence-related issue or policy challenge.

7. When does the program officially begin?

The program begins with a research proposal workshop held on the African continent.

Conclusion

The Harry Frank Guggenheim African Fellow Awards offer a prestigious and impactful opportunity for African PhD scholars researching violence and aggression. Through funding, mentorship, training, and publication support, the fellowship strengthens evidence-based research that contributes to reducing violence and shaping effective policy across Africa.

For more information, visit The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation.