African researchers working on conflict resolution, peacebuilding, governance, and development have an opportunity to advance their research through the Individual Research Fellowship offered by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC). The fellowship, implemented under the African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) program, will award up to nine fellowships worth a maximum of $12,000 each.
The African Peacebuilding Fellowship 2026 supports independent African research that strengthens peacebuilding knowledge, informs public policy, and addresses conflict-related challenges across the continent. Eligible researchers, policy analysts, and practitioners based in Africa are invited to explore the opportunity and prepare their applications using the official fellowship guidebook.
African Peacebuilding Fellowship 2026: Overview
The Individual Research Fellowship (IRF) is designed to improve the quality, visibility, and practical relevance of African peacebuilding research. Established in 2012, the initiative promotes research that contributes to academic discussions, public policy development, and peacebuilding practices in Africa and internationally.
The program is administered by the through its African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics program.
Here are the key details of the African Peacebuilding Fellowship:
- Program name: Individual Research Fellowship (IRF)
- Implementing organization: Social Science Research Council (SSRC)
- Program: African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD)
- Funding: Up to $12,000 per fellowship
- Number of awards: Up to nine fellowships
- Research period: July 2026 to March 2027
- Eligible applicants: African citizens residing in African countries
- Research focus: Peacebuilding, conflict, governance, and developmental dynamics
- Application information: Available through the official APDD fellowship guidebook
- Contact email: apdd@ssrc.org
The fellowship offers African researchers an opportunity to develop evidence-based knowledge while building professional networks and contributing to peacebuilding debates.
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What the Individual Research Fellowship Offers
The African Peacebuilding Fellowship provides financial support alongside research development, mentorship, and opportunities to share findings with academic and policy audiences.
1. Research Funding and Thought Leadership
Selected fellows will undertake a nine-month research program running from July 2026 to March 2027.
The program includes six months of field-based research, followed by three months dedicated to analysis and writing. During this period, fellows are expected to produce research that addresses important peacebuilding challenges and contributes to scholarship, policy, and practice.
The research should generate evidence that policymakers, practitioners, universities, and research institutions can use to understand conflict and strengthen peacebuilding initiatives.
By supporting independent African research, the fellowship also seeks to increase the visibility of African perspectives in regional and global discussions.
2. Professional Workshops and Research Development
Fellows will participate in two mandatory APDD workshops scheduled for July and January in different regions of Africa.
These workshops provide opportunities to improve research proposals, refine methodologies, discuss preliminary findings, and explore effective ways to communicate research results.
Participants can also establish professional relationships with fellow researchers, senior academics, peacebuilding practitioners, and experienced facilitators.
The workshops are intended to strengthen research quality while helping fellows translate their findings into practical recommendations.
3. Publications and Knowledge Sharing
Another important benefit of the African Peacebuilding Fellowship is the opportunity to contribute to research publications and public discussions.
Fellows will contribute to the APDD Working Paper series and the African Peacebuilding Policy Review and Analysis. They may also share their work through digital platforms, blogs, essays, policy articles, podcasts, and international peer-reviewed journals.
These opportunities help researchers communicate findings beyond academic audiences and make African peacebuilding knowledge more accessible.
Fellows can also develop professional skills that support their future careers in academia, policy analysis, and peacebuilding practice.
4. Mentorship and Networking Opportunities
The fellowship connects successful applicants with a wider network of African scholars and practitioners working on peacebuilding and development.
Participants will receive mentorship from experienced senior scholars and benefit from peer learning and potential research collaboration.
This professional network can help fellows develop their research careers, exchange ideas, and contribute African perspectives to international policy discussions.
African Peacebuilding Fellowship Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements established by the APDD program. The fellowship is open to African citizens who currently reside in an African country.
Eligibility requirements differ depending on whether an applicant is an academic or a policy analyst or practitioner.
Eligibility for Academics
Applicants applying as academics must meet the following requirements:
- Be an African citizen currently residing in an African country.
- Hold a full-time faculty or research position at an African university or research organization.
- Have obtained a PhD no earlier than January 2016.
- Work in a field relevant to peacebuilding, conflict, governance, or developmental dynamics.
The program states that applicants who have not been awarded their PhDs by June 2026 will not have their cases prioritized for eligibility under the academic category.
Eligibility for Policy Analysts and Practitioners
Policy analysts and practitioners must also be African citizens residing in Africa.
They must be based at a regional or subregional institution, government agency, nongovernmental organization, media organization, or civil society organization.
Applicants in this category must have a master’s degree obtained before January 2021 and at least five years of proven research and professional experience in peacebuilding-related activities on the continent.
Candidates should carefully review the official application guidebook to confirm their eligibility and understand the documentation requirements before applying.
Documents Required for the Fellowship Application
Applicants should prepare the required application materials before completing the online application.
According to the fellowship information provided by SSRC, applications consist of:
- A completed online application form.
- A research proposal and bibliography.
- An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV).
- A proposed research timeline.
- A proposed research budget.
- Two references.
- Language evaluations, where required.
Applicants should ensure that their research proposals clearly explain the research problem, objectives, methodology, expected findings, and relevance to African peacebuilding.
A well-developed proposal should demonstrate how the proposed research can contribute to peacebuilding scholarship, policy development, or practical interventions.
Candidates should also ensure that their proposed timelines and budgets align with the fellowship’s nine-month research period.
How to Apply for the African Peacebuilding Fellowship
Researchers interested in the African Peacebuilding Fellowship 2026 should consult the official application guidebook for instructions on eligibility, required documents, and the application process.
Read the official application guidebook here:
Applicants can also review the fellowship information and related resources on the .
For questions about the fellowship or technical issues with the online application portal, applicants can contact the APDD team at apdd@ssrc.org.
The program is funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.
Applicants should consult the official guidebook for the applicable submission deadline and any additional application instructions, as these details are not specified in the supplied fellowship announcement.
Why the African Peacebuilding Fellowship Matters
The African Peacebuilding Fellowship offers more than research funding. It provides an opportunity for African scholars and practitioners to produce evidence that can inform conflict prevention, peacebuilding strategies, governance, and development across the continent.
With awards of up to $12,000, the program supports independent research while encouraging fellows to share their findings with policymakers, academic institutions, and peacebuilding organizations.
For eligible African researchers, the fellowship can provide valuable financial support, professional mentorship, publication opportunities, and access to a network of experts working on peacebuilding challenges.
African researchers interested in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and development should review the eligibility criteria and application guidebook to determine whether they qualify for this opportunity.
