African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous and Alternative Knowledges (AFRIAK) 2026 Call for Proposals – YOA

Deadline: February 15, 2026

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is happy to announce a name for proposals for the second cohort of the African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous and Alternative Knowledges (AFRIAK). This programme is obtainable with the assist of the Mastercard Foundation as part of the Foundation’s dedication to advance training and expertise for younger folks in Africa.

The programme seeks to implement an progressive strategy to coaching a brand new technology of younger folks, particularly younger girls, to design analysis tasks and produce information in partnership with educational mentors on the one hand and bearers of indigenous information on the opposite. This strategy will privilege native, indigenous, and endogenous information as types of information or information programs which might be deeply embedded in communities and carefully tied to their lived experiences. Although these types of information could also be geographically proximate to the younger folks in Africa, they continue to be inaccessible to them partly due to the dominance of Western codecs of studying in our college and college curricula. They are additionally restricted by the gerontocratic nature of our communities, the place such information is preserved for a number of, predominantly male information-bearers. AFRIAK’s strategy is progressive as a result of it redirects Africans to make use of what they’ve in their communities and invites them to understand the various methods in which what they’ve is utilized, preserved and transmitted.

Programme Activities

The AFRIAK analysis and fellowship mission will contain three associated actions. These are:

• A analysis, coaching and mentorship fellowship programme for younger folks.
• Policy convenings.
• An alumni and neighborhood of apply in Indigenous and various information community.

Eligibility

• Open younger African nationals aged 35 and beneath on the time of application and who reside on the African continent.
• The focused youth must be engaged in analysis and information manufacturing actions that draw, or aspire to attract, on Indigenous/native information views.
• They must be primarily based in formal analysis and information establishments or Indigenous information analysis centres in Africa.
• Practitioners aged 35 and beneath, with formal training {qualifications} and who’re actively engaged in actions that draw on the application of Indigenous/native information views, are additionally inspired to apply.

Application

Individual candidates are required to supply the next data immediately in the application system:

• Curriculum Vitae particulars: Applicants are anticipated to supply key biographical and skilled data.
• Concept word: Applicants will probably be required to finish a structured idea word with sections that establish and elaborate on a analysis matter, briefly assess the physique of information that illuminate the analysis matter, methodology and anticipated outcomes.
• Reference letters: Applicants should connect two signed reference letters, every restricted to at least one web page, from two referees aware of the applicant’s work. Note that reference letters are additionally assessed and contribute a good portion to the success of the application.

Group functions should include a minimal of three and a most of 5 members, with no less than 70% of the group being girls. Any group member who doesn’t meet the eligibility standards outlined in the ‘TARGET FOR THIS CALL’ will end result in the disqualification of your entire group.

Group candidates are required to supply the next data immediately in the application system: – 

• Curriculum Vitae particulars: Applicants are anticipated to supply key biographical and skilled data for every of the group members.
• Concept word: Applicants will probably be required to finish a structured idea word with sections that establish and elaborate on a analysis matter, briefly assess the physique of information that illuminate the analysis matter, methodology and anticipated outcomes.
• Reference letters: Group candidates will probably be required to connect two signed reference letters, every restricted to at least one web page, from two referees aware of the group and who endorse the group as a complete, slightly than its particular person members. Note that reference letters are additionally assessed and contribute a good portion to the success of the application.

Click here to apply

For extra data, go to AFRIAK.