AfricaLics PhD Visiting Fellowship Programme 2027

Applications are open for the AfricaLics PhD Visiting Fellowship Programme 2027, a research fellowship supporting African PhD students working in the field of Innovation and Development. The programme is designed to strengthen the academic and research capabilities of emerging African scholars, improve the quality of their doctoral dissertations and prepare them for careers in academia, the private sector, government and policy making.

The fellowship is offered through the African Network for Economics of Learning, Innovation and Competence Building Systems, known as AfricaLics. It forms part of the network's wider efforts to strengthen research capacity and develop a vibrant African research community focused on innovation and development.

Selected fellows will receive the opportunity to undertake a study visit at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. The programme combines research activities, training, mentorship and interaction with other scholars working on innovation and development issues.

About the Fellowship

The AfricaLics PhD Visiting Fellowship Programme is designed to increase the mobility and international research exposure of African PhD students working on Innovation and Development research.

The programme gives doctoral researchers an opportunity to spend time in a different academic environment, interact with researchers and mentors and strengthen their research projects. Fellows can use the study period to consolidate their research, improve their dissertation work and develop their academic and professional networks.

The programme is particularly interdisciplinary. Research can address innovation and development from different disciplinary perspectives, provided there is a clear connection between innovation and economic, social or environmentally sustainable development in Africa.

Fellowship Benefits

• Return economy class flight from the nearest international airport to Johannesburg.

• Accommodation in Johannesburg during the fellowship period.

• Travel insurance issued together with the flight ticket.

• Approximately US$600 per month to support living expenses and local travel in Johannesburg.

• Coverage of participation costs for joint courses.

• Mentorship support.

• Funding for selected short courses relevant to the PhD research where appropriate.

• Support for face to face meetings involving the PhD student, home supervisor and mentor.

• Opportunity to interact with other PhD researchers working in Innovation and Development.

• Exposure to international research and knowledge in Innovation and Development.

• Opportunity to strengthen the quality of the doctoral dissertation.

• Opportunity to develop academic and professional networks.

• Preparation for careers in academia, government, policy making or the private sector.

Research Areas

The AfricaLics fellowship is focused on Innovation and Development research in Africa.

Potential disciplinary backgrounds include:

• Economics.

• Sociology.

• Political Science.

• Science and Technology Policy.

• Geography.

• History.

• Development Studies.

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics from a social science perspective.

• Manufacturing from a social science perspective.

• Other relevant interdisciplinary fields connected to innovation and development.

Applicants should demonstrate a clear relationship between their research and innovation and economic, social or environmentally sustainable development in Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the AfricaLics PhD Visiting Fellowship Programme should meet the following requirements:

• Be enrolled as a PhD student at a university in Africa.

• Be actively working on a research subject relevant to Innovation and Development.

• Preferably have completed the first year of PhD studies by December 2026.

• Have an academic background relevant to Innovation and Development research.

• Possess adequate English language skills.

• Demonstrate clear relevance of the proposed research to Innovation and Development studies in Africa.

• Present clearly defined research questions.

• Demonstrate a well developed theoretical and conceptual framework.

• Explain how the theoretical framework relates to the research questions.

• Demonstrate methodological clarity and research rigor.

• Clearly explain intended data sources and data collection methods.

• Show that the proposed methods are appropriate for addressing the research questions.

The scholarship option is particularly intended for PhD students from African countries classified as low income or lower middle income by the OECD Development Assistance Committee. Female PhD students and students from low income African countries are particularly encouraged to apply.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must prepare the following documents:

• A one page or 500 word application statement explaining their background, motivation and expected outcomes from participation.

• Brief outline of the current PhD project, including PhD training plans, maximum five pages.

• Curriculum vitae including PhD courses completed so far.

• Letter of support from the main PhD supervisor.

• Letter of support from the university administration at the institution where the applicant is enrolled.

• Copies of academic certificates, including at minimum Bachelor and Master certificates.

• One writing sample, such as an article or chapter from the current PhD programme.

Applicants are not required to submit a passport copy with the initial application. Successful candidates will receive information about relevant visa arrangements and support from the AfricaLics Secretariat and University of Johannesburg.

Selection Criteria

Applications are expected to be assessed based on the quality and relevance of the proposed research and its relationship to Innovation and Development.

Important considerations include:

• Relevance to Innovation and Development studies in Africa.

• Quality of the research questions.

• Strength of the theoretical and conceptual framework.

• Relationship between the conceptual framework and research questions.

• Methodological clarity.

• Research rigor.

• Appropriateness of data sources.

• Suitability of data collection methods.

• Potential contribution to the applicant's doctoral research.

• Potential value of the fellowship for the applicant's academic and professional development.

The final number of selected fellows depends on the assessment of applications, available funding and the ability to identify suitable mentors for applicants' research topics.

How to Apply

1. Review the AfricaLics PhD Visiting Fellowship Programme requirements.
2. Confirm that you are enrolled as a PhD student at an African university.
3. Confirm that your research focuses on Innovation and Development and has clear relevance to Africa.
4. Develop a concise explanation of your research background and motivation for participating in the fellowship.
5. Prepare the one page or 500 word application statement.
6. Prepare the current PhD project outline and training plan, ensuring that it does not exceed five pages.
7. Update your CV and include the PhD courses you have completed.
8. Request a support letter from your main PhD supervisor.
9. Obtain a support letter from the administration of your university.
10. Prepare copies of your Bachelor and Master academic certificates.
11. Select one suitable writing sample from your current PhD research, such as an article or chapter.
12. Review the complete application and ensure that all required documents are included.
13. Submit the application through the official AfricaLics application process before October 2, 2026.