The African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) programme of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) invites applications for its Individual Research Fellowship (IRF). The fellowship supports African researchers, policy analysts, and practitioners conducting research on conflict, peacebuilding, and related issues across the continent.
Established in 2012, the programme aims to strengthen independent African peacebuilding research and ensure that evidence-based knowledge informs policymakers, practitioners, academic institutions, and regional and global discussions.
For the 2026 competition, up to nine fellowships will be awarded, each worth a maximum of $12,000.
At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) |
| Fellowship | Individual Research Fellowship (IRF) |
| Host Organization | Social Science Research Council (SSRC) |
| Eligible Region | Africa |
| Number of Awards | Up to 9 fellowships |
| Funding | Up to $12,000 per fellowship |
| Research Duration | 9 months |
| Programme Period | July 2026 to March 2027 |
| Research Focus | Conflict, peacebuilding, policy, and development |
| Funder | Andrew Carnegie Foundation |
| Application Deadline | Not specified in the provided announcement |
About the Fellowship
The APDD Individual Research Fellowship supports African scholarship and research that contributes to a deeper understanding of conflict and peacebuilding. Fellows undertake field-based research, analyze their findings, and produce work that can inform peacebuilding policies and practices.
The programme also helps fellows share African perspectives in regional and international debates while building professional relationships with researchers, academics, policymakers, and practitioners.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
Research funding: Successful applicants may receive up to $12,000 to support their fellowship work. The announcement does not specify a standard award amount for every fellow.
Research and publication opportunities: Fellows develop research-based knowledge relevant to peacebuilding scholarship, policy, and practice. They may contribute to working papers, policy reviews, academic journals, books, articles, blogs, opinion pieces, and podcasts.
Professional development: Fellows gain research and writing experience, develop their professional skills, and strengthen their careers in academia or peacebuilding practice.
Mentorship and networking: Participants receive mentorship from experienced senior scholars and opportunities for peer learning and collaboration with other fellows and practitioners.
Workshops: Fellows must participate in two APDD workshops, scheduled for July and January in different regions of Africa. The workshops support research design, methodology, presentation of findings, publication planning, and professional networking.
Research and Fellowship Activities
The fellowship lasts nine months and is structured around two main phases:
- Six months of field-based research: Fellows conduct research related to conflict and peacebuilding.
- Three months of analysis and writing: Fellows analyze their findings and prepare research outputs.
The programme period is July 2026 to March 2027. Fellows are also expected to contribute to APDD knowledge-sharing activities, including its Working Paper series, African Peacebuilding Policy Review and Analysis, and digital platforms.
Who Should Apply?
The fellowship is intended for African citizens residing in an African country who are engaged in peacebuilding-related research, policy analysis, or practice.
There are two main applicant categories: academics and research professionals, and policy analysts or practitioners working in relevant institutions.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Academics and Researchers
Applicants applying as academics must:
- Be African citizens currently residing in an African country.
- Hold a full-time faculty or research position at an African university or research organization.
- Hold a PhD obtained no earlier than January 2016.
- Have their PhD awarded by June 2026. Applicants who have not received their PhD by that time will not have their cases prioritized for academic eligibility.
2. Policy Analysts and Practitioners
Applicants applying as policy analysts or practitioners must:
- Be African citizens currently residing in an African country.
- Work at a regional or subregional institution, government agency, nongovernmental organization, media organization, or civil society organization based in Africa.
- Hold at least a master's degree obtained before January 2021.
- Have at least five years of demonstrated research and professional experience in peacebuilding-related activities on the African continent.
- Applicants should review the official fellowship application guidebook for the complete requirements and application instructions.
Application Documents
The announcement provided does not list the complete required documents. Applicants should consult the official APDD Fellowship Application Guidebook to confirm the required materials, research proposal requirements, supporting documents, and submission procedures before applying.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should follow these steps:
- Review the APDD Individual Research Fellowship eligibility requirements carefully.
- Read the official Fellowship Application Guidebook for detailed instructions.
- Prepare the required application materials according to the guidebook.
- Submit the application through the official online application portal.
- For technical questions or inquiries about the application portal, contact the APDD team using the contact information provided on the official programme page.
The programme announcement does not specify an application deadline, so applicants should check the official source for the current status of the competition before preparing their applications.
Important Information
- Up to nine fellowships are available for the 2026 competition.
- Each fellowship is worth a maximum of $12,000.
- Applicants must be African citizens currently residing in an African country.
- Academic applicants and policy analysts or practitioners have different eligibility requirements.
- The fellowship includes mandatory workshops and research dissemination activities.
- The stated programme period is July 2026 to March 2027. As this period has already begun, prospective applicants should verify whether applications are still being accepted.
Ready to Apply?
Visit the official African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics programme page and review the Fellowship Application Guidebook for the complete application process.
