African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) Individual Research Fellowships: Fully Funded.
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African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) Individual Research Fellowships: Fully Funded.
The African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) Individual Research Fellowship (IRF), offered by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), is a prestigious opportunity for African scholars, policy analysts, and practitioners engaged in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Since its launch in 2012, the IRF has served as a vital platform for enhancing the visibility and quality of independent African peacebuilding research, contributing significantly to regional and global discourse, and making knowledge accessible to policymakers, practitioners, and research centers of excellence across Africa and beyond.
In 2026, up to nine (9) fellowships will be awarded, with each fellowship offering a maximum of $12,000 to support fieldwork, analysis, and knowledge dissemination.
The APDD Individual Research Fellowship supports research that addresses pressing peacebuilding challenges across the African continent.
Fellows are expected to produce research-based knowledge that influences scholarship, policy, and practice while integrating African perspectives into regional and global debates.
KEY COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE:
Thought Leadership
- Fellows commit to six (6) months of field-based research and three (3) months of analysis and writing, spanning July 2026 to March 2027.
- Research outputs contribute directly to the improvement of peacebuilding scholarship, policy, and practice on the continent.
- Fellows’ work is designed to inform evidence-based policymaking and advance regional and global peacebuilding discourse.
Workshops
- Two mandatory APDD workshops are scheduled in July 2026 and January 2027 across different African regions.
- Workshops offer opportunities to refine research design, methodology, and focus, and to present preliminary findings.
- Fellows learn to make their research accessible through publications, policy briefs, and digital platforms while networking with peers, senior academics, and practitioners.
African Scholarship and Knowledge Production
- Fellows contribute to the APDD Working Paper series, the African Peacebuilding Policy Review and Analysis, and online platforms such as Kujenga Amani, Facebook, and X.
- Opportunities exist to publish in peer-reviewed journals, books, essays, blogs, opinion articles, and podcasts.
- Participants gain skills and knowledge that advance careers in academia or professional peacebuilding practice.
Community, Professional Development, and Networking
- Fellows join a network of active African scholars and practitioners, amplifying African perspectives on global peacebuilding discussions.
- Mentorship is provided by experienced senior scholars, alongside peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for the 2026 IRF:
- Citizenship: Must be an African citizen residing in an African country.
Academic Applicants:
- Must hold a full-time faculty or research position at an African university or research institution.
- Must have obtained a PhD no earlier than January 2016.
- Applicants without a PhD by June 2026 will not be prioritized as academics.
- Policy Analysts and Practitioners:
- Must work at a regional or sub-regional institution, government agency, NGO, media, or civil society organization based in Africa.
- Must hold at least a Master’s degree obtained before January 2021.
- Must have at least five years of research or professional experience in peacebuilding-related activities.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for the APDD IRF require submission of the following:
- Online application form
- Research proposal with bibliography
- Current CV
- Proposed research timeline and budget
- Two reference letters
- Language evaluation(s) if required
Applicants are encouraged to review the APDD Fellowship Application Guidebook for detailed instructions.
Technical inquiries regarding the online application portal can be directed to apdd@ssrc.org.
Fellowship Details
- Fellowship Duration: 9 months (July 2026 – March 2027)
- Award Amount: Up to $12,000 per fellow
- Mandatory Workshops: July 2026 and January 2027 (locations across Africa)
- Number of Fellowships: Up to 9 in 2026
- Funding Organization: Carnegie Corporation of New York
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: January 16, 2026.
