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The Africa Institute Fellowships 2027 are now open for applications from scholars around the world. Hosted by The Africa Institute at Global Studies University in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, the fully funded fellowship supports outstanding research on Africa and the African diaspora in the humanities and social sciences. The fellowship offers one-year senior fellowships and two-year postdoctoral fellowships for researchers who want to conduct full-time research in an international academic environment.
The Research Fellowships Program is designed to bring together scholars working on African and African diaspora studies across different disciplines. The fellowship is open to senior academics, independent scholars, public intellectuals, and recent PhD graduates whose research contributes to the understanding of Africa, its history, culture, politics, literature, arts, and society. Fellows will join a vibrant research community at The Africa Institute in Sharjah and work on their proposed research projects throughout the residency period.
The Africa Institute, part of Global Studies University, is an international center dedicated to research, teaching, and documentation of Africa and its diaspora. The institute offers postgraduate education alongside research fellowships that encourage interdisciplinary scholarship. Through its annual fellowship program, selected researchers receive institutional support to advance original research while collaborating with scholars from different parts of the world.
WhatsApp ChannelThe Africa Institute Fellowships 2027 Summary
- Host Country: United Arab Emirates
- Location: Sharjah
- Host Institution: The Africa Institute, Global Studies University
- Program Type: Senior and Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
- Fellowship Duration:
- Senior Fellowship: September 2027 to June 2028
- Postdoctoral Fellowship: September 2027 to June 2029
- Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Also Check: United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship 2027
Types of Fellowships
The program includes four fellowship categories.
Toni Morrison Senior Fellowship in African Diaspora Literature and Cultural Studies
This fellowship is intended for distinguished scholars working in African diaspora literature, cultural studies, and related humanities disciplines.
Ali A. Mazrui Senior Fellowship in Global African Studies
This fellowship supports senior researchers whose work focuses on African studies and its connections with the humanities and social sciences.
Okwui Enwezor Postdoctoral Fellowship in Visual Culture, Performance Studies, and Critical Humanities
The fellowship is designed for early-career scholars researching visual culture, art history, performance studies, and critical humanities related to Africa and the African diaspora.
Fatema Mernissi Postdoctoral Fellowship in Social and Cultural Studies
This fellowship supports emerging researchers studying gender, feminism, cultural studies, social sciences, and related topics connected with African and African diaspora studies.
Also Check: UCLouvain Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 in Belgium
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive several benefits during the residency, including:
- Fully funded research residency in Sharjah, UAE
- Housing arrangements during the fellowship period
- Access to The Africa Institute’s academic resources and research facilities
- Opportunity to collaborate with international scholars and researchers
- Academic environment dedicated to African and African diaspora studies
- Institutional support for independent research projects
Also Check: EMBL ARISE2 Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 in Europe
Eligibility Criteria
Senior Fellowships
Applicants must:
- Be Associate Professors or Full Professors, or equivalent scholars.
- Independent authors and public intellectuals with recognized scholarly contributions may also apply.
- Conduct research related to African or African diaspora studies.
Postdoctoral Fellowships
Applicants must:
- Hold a PhD awarded within the last five years before the fellowship begins.
- Conduct research related to African and African diaspora studies.
- Be available for full-time residency in Sharjah throughout the fellowship period.
Also Check: Mark Grosjean Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 in Canada
Required Documents
Applicants must prepare the following documents:
- Research abstract (maximum 300 words)
- Project statement (1,000 to 2,000 words)
- Optional one-page bibliography
- Two writing samples (published or unpublished)
- Letter of Interest
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Contact details of three referees
Application Timeline
- Applications Open: 6 July 2026
- Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
- Review and Shortlisting: October 2026
- Interviews: Mid-November 2026
- Offer Notifications: Mid-December 2026
- Arrival in Sharjah: Mid-August 2027
- Program Begins: September 2027
How to Apply for The Africa Institute Fellowships 2027
Applications must be submitted through the official online application portal. Applications sent by email will not be accepted. All required documents must be uploaded through the online system, and each file must not exceed 3 MB. Applicants can save their progress and return to complete the application before the deadline.
For technical assistance regarding the application process, applicants may contact applications@theafricainstitute.org.
Why Apply for The Africa Institute Fellowships?
The Africa Institute Fellowships provide scholars with dedicated time and institutional support to complete significant research projects related to Africa and its diaspora. Fellows become part of an international academic community while working in a research-focused environment in the United Arab Emirates. The program also offers opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and access to specialized academic resources that support high-quality research.
