Applications are currently being accepted for the Social Science Research Council - Individual Research Fellowships (IRF) 2026 in Africa. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About Social Science Research Council - Individual Research Fellowships
APDD Fellowship supports independent African peacebuilding research by funding individual research fellowships that enhance visibility, policy relevance, and impact. The APDD Fellowship is offered through the APDD program and provides awards to African researchers, policy analysts, and practitioners working on conflict and peacebuilding issues.
The fellowship is administered by the African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) program of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) and is funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. The program includes field research, analysis, workshops, and opportunities for publication and networking.
Benefits of Social Science Research Council - Individual Research Fellowships
- In 2026, up to nine (9) individual fellowships will be awarded at a maximum of $12,000 each.
- Fellows commit to six (6) months of field-based research and three (3) months of analysis and writing for a total of nine (9) months (July 2026 to March 2027).
- Participation in two mandatory APDD workshops occurring in July and January across different regions of Africa to refine research, present findings, and network.
- Contribution opportunities to the APDD Working Paper series and African Peacebuilding Policy Review and Analysis, digital forums, and social media platforms.
- Possibility to contribute to international peer-reviewed journals, books, articles/essays, blogs, features, op-ed articles, and podcasts.
- Mentorship from highly experienced senior scholars, peer-to-peer learning, and membership in a network of African scholars and practitioners.
- Fellows gain knowledge and skills to advance careers as academics or practitioners and insert evidence-based knowledge into regional and global debates.
Social Science Research Council - Individual Research Fellowships Requirements
- All applicants must be African citizens currently residing in an African country; open to African academics, policy analysts, and practitioners.
- Academic applicants must hold a full-time faculty or research position at an African university or research organization and have a PhD obtained no earlier than January 2016 (PhDs not awarded by June 2026 will not be prioritized as academics).
- Policy analysts or practitioners must be based in Africa at a regional or sub-regional institution, government agency, or nongovernmental/media/civil society organization and have at least a master’s degree obtained before January 2021 with at least five years of proven research and work experience in peacebuilding-related activities on the continent.
Application Date and Process
- Refer to the APDD Fellowship Application Guidebook for application instructions and details (link provided on the program page).
- Submit an online application via the APDD application portal (see program page and guidebook for the portal link).
- Prepare application materials: research proposal and bibliography, current CV, proposed research timeline, proposed research budget, two reference letters, and language evaluation(s) if required.
- For inquiries or technical questions about the online application portal, contact APDD staff at [email protected].
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