Fellowship Application 2025/2026

The “Recalibrating Afrikanistik” (RecAf) project invites young researchers and lecturers working in the field of African Studies to apply for fellowships at the participating universities (University of Bayreuth (Germany), University of Naples 'L'Orientale' (Italy), University of Leipzig (Germany), Moi University (Kenya), Stellenbosch University (South Africa), Federal University of Wukari (Nigeria)), as well as ‘Remote Fellowships’.

RecAf offers fellowships lasting from three to six months. The fellowship should take place between mid-2025 and mid-2026. Eligible for the fellowships are doctoral students and post-doctoral researchers at all levels, as well as advanced MA students, who will be given the unique opportunity to work on or develop their own research project. Fellows are fully funded with a modest scholarship (travel, accommodation, daily allowance, health insurance, visa).

All applications/proposals should clearly reflect the applicant’s research profile and must demonstrate the candidate’s proposed contribution to the project ‘Recalibrating Afrikanistik’. The applicant should select the kind of fellowship (Classic or Remote), the preferred duration and thoroughly explain that choice as well as reflect on why the respective fellowship will be beneficial.

In case of Classic Fellowships, please specify which would be your preferred university for the fellowship and why. However, we reserve the right to advise on your choice, according to which context suits your proposal best. If you are unsure which university fits your project best, please check https://recaf.de/network for an overview of our project partners. Additionally, all fellows will be expected to report on the outcome(s) of their fellowship. The nature of this report will be determined by the mentor at the host university.

All proposals must clarify how the project addresses interdisciplinarity with African/Area Studies and show innovative potential for a Recalibrated Afrikanistik. The proposal should address one of the following themes:

language and text (in a broad sense) as knowledge practice
linguistic and textual practices (incl. orature, translation, media, popular culture) as access to heterogeneous and heterotopic bodies of knowledge
critical approaches to language and/or literature and verbal arts

Applications will be accepted in English, German, French, or Kiswahili.

Application deadline is 31 December 2024. Applicants will be notified by 31 March 2025.

Full Name*

First Name(s)Last Name

Email*

example@example.com

Your position and/or programme*

Your current institution*

The title/name of your proposed research project*

Type of fellowship requested*

Classic (at a university in Europe or Africa)Remote

Preferred university (please select at least one university)

University of Leipzig (Germany)University of Bayreuth (Germany)University of Naples 'L'Orientale' (Italy)Moi University (Kenya)Federal University of Wukari (Nigeria)Stellenbosch University (South Africa)

Please provide a short explanation of how your project fits within your chosen university's research interests.

Please provide a short explanation of why a remote fellowship is necessary.

E.g. illness, childcare, etc.

Please provide a short explanation of how you would spend the remote fellowship grant.

Please select your preferred fellowship duration.*

3 months6 months

Upload application documents as a single PDF file below.

Application requirements:

A cover letter explaining how your project is relevant to Recalibrating Afrikanistik, why you have chosen your preferred university, and how your project contributes to the ongoing research/study at your preferred university,
an outline of not more than 800 words (2 pages) of the research project you are proposing as a fellow (including a budget overview), and
an academic CV

Application documents*

The application should include a cover letter, project outline, and academic CV as a single PDF.

Questions? Please contact Ojo Blank (they/them) at recaf@uni-leipzig.de