05/03/2026
Fellowships 2026: Call for Applications
The Megatrends Afrika project is awarding three fellowships to African researchers.
Megatrends Afrika is a cooperation between the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (Kiel Institute). The project conducts policy-relevant interdisciplinary research on Africa and provides policy advice to decision-makers.
The Fellowship
Fellowships will be granted for a period of three months in fall 2026, full-time. Fellows will conduct a research project independently or, if suitable, in collaboration with project team members or other IDOS, Kiel Institute and SWP colleagues - and contribute one paper to the project’s publication series. Fellows are expected to participate in project meetings, events and other relevant activities of their host institution during their stay.
For the duration of the fellowship, fellows will reside in the city of their host institution, i.e., in Berlin (SWP), Bonn (IDOS) or Kiel (Kiel Institute). Fellows will receive a monthly grant of € 2,800, an economy-class return trip between their place of residence and Germany as well as some financial support for public transport, mobile phone credit and other ancillary costs in Germany. Fellows who require a visa to enter Germany will be provided with a letter of support and assistance in the application process.
Your Profile
~ A completed PhD in political science, economics, social sciences, geography, international relations, or relevant area studies;
~ Originating from an African country
~ Strong research and publication track record in areas of relevance to the Megatrends Afrika project
~ Experience in scientific policy advice is an advantage.
How to Apply
Applications must contain a one-page letter of motivation, an academic CV including a list of academic publications, a sample of 2 recent publications, copies of relevant academic transcripts and/or diplomas (no translations needed), a written concept note containing the description of the applicant’s project. The concept note should not exceed 2,000 words and include a discussion of the project/research topic, its academic and policy relevance, feasibility and theoretical and methodological grounding. The submitted project should be based on the applicant’s existing and ongoing research agenda. Its scope and ambition have to be appropriate for a Megatrends Policy Brief that will be finalized by the end of the fellowship.
Please send your application by email to [email protected]. Applications must be submitted as a single PDF document. Formats other than PDF (Word, zip) cannot be accepted. The deadline for the fellowship applications is 25 March 2026, 11:59 p.m. CET. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered.
