If you are an African researcher with a passion for policy-relevant interdisciplinary studies and a strong publication record, the Megatrends Afrika fellowship 2025 offers a unique opportunity for you. This fellowship is designed for those who have completed their PhD and are eager to contribute to cutting-edge research on Africa's most pressing issues. As a fellow, you will engage in independent or collaborative projects, participate in key activities at your host institution in Berlin, Bonn, or Kiel, and make significant contributions to the project's publication series. If you're ready to explore new horizons and make a real impact, this fellowship is for you. Here are the details!
Megatrends Afrika Fellowship Summary
Host Country: Germany
Host Institutions: German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW)
Academic Level: Postdoctoral
Number of awards: 3 fellowships
Duration: Three months between March and October 2025, full-time
Funding : Monthly grant of €2,800 plus additional benefits
Application Deadline: 15 January 2025
Eligibility: African researchers in policy-relevant interdisciplinary studies.
Fellowship Overview
The Megatrends Afrika project offers an exciting opportunity. This joint initiative by SWP, IDOS, and IfW is calling for applications for three fellowships. The fellowship is aimed at fostering independent and collaborative research projects that align with the project's core themes. Successful fellows will contribute a paper to the project's publication series and participate in various project activities at their host institution in Berlin, Bonn, or Kiel.
Research Topics
Proposals for a Megatrends Policy Brief are invited on these themes:
1. Violent Actors and Conflict Transformation: Impact of conflict on political order and effects of technological innovation and global power shifts.
2. Megatrends and Governance:
Conditions under which demographic changes, digitalization, urbanization, or climate change lead to democratization or autocratization.
3. Global Power Shifts:
Changing roles of external actors (e.g., China, Russia) in Africa's international relations and evolving African foreign policies.
Fellowship Benefits
Monthly grant of €2,800
Economy-class return trip between place of residence and Germany
Financial support for public transport, mobile phone credit, and other ancillary costs
Remuneration on par with a stipend (IDOS)
Visa support letter (if needed)
Megatrends Afrika Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
Preferably completed PhD in political science, economics, social sciences, geography, international relations, or relevant area studies
Originating from an African country
Strong research and publication track record in areas relevant to the Megatrends Afrika project
Experience in scientific policy advice is an advantage
Application Procedure
Applications must be submitted as a single PDF document and include:
A one-page letter of motivation
An academic CV with a list of academic publications
A sample of two recent publications
Copies of relevant academic transcripts and/or diplomas (no translations needed)
A written concept note (not exceeding 2,000 words) discussing the project / research topic, its academic and policy relevance, feasibility, and theoretical and methodological grounding. The project should be suitable for a Megatrends Policy Brief of 4-8 pages to be completed by the end of the fellowship.
📧 Applications should be emailed to Megatrends-Afrika@swp-berlin.org.
🗓️ Application Deadline: 15 January 2025
Selection Process
Fellows are selected and placed in line with the research agendas of the host institutes. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview . In choosing applicants, we will put particular emphasis on the following criteria:
Academic and professional merit based on the applicant's publications and work experience;
Academic and policy relevance of the project;
Feasibility of the project during the period of the fellowship;
Candidates' ability to communicate effectively and make complex ideas accessible to a broad audience.
ℹ️ Further information
If you have any questions in relation to your application, contact Julia Fath at [megatrends-afrika@swp-berlin.org]
📂 Call PDF MegatrendsAfrica_CfA_Fellowships_2025.pdf
🔗 OFFICIAL CALL LINK
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