Deadline: 6 April 2026

If you are an early-career researcher based in Africa, the African Scholarship Programme provides opportunities for you to come to us to work on your research for a period of two to three months.

Who can apply?

You are eligible to apply for the African Scholarship Programme if you fall into one of the following two categories:

• You are PhD student enrolled in an Africa-based doctoral program and with a full-time employment at an African-based university or research centre, and who do not have access to PhD funding from an international scholarship or other international funding opportunities.
• You are a postdoctoral researcher within four years of completing your PhD, with an employment at an African university or research centre.

What’s in it for you?

• The scholarship includes a return air fare (economy class), accommodation, a subsistence allowance and an installation grant.
• You get access to a workspace in a shared office at the institute.
• The maximum duration of the stay is 90 days, minimum is 60 days.

The purpose of the programme

The purpose of the African Scholarship Programme is to provide opportunities for early career researchers based in Africa to work and develop their ongoing research at the Nordic Africa Institute. The scholarship offers access to the Institute’s library, hosting by the Institute’s researchers, networking opportunities and other resources that provide for a stimulating research environment.
Through the programme, the Nordic Africa Institute aims to contribute to building capacity in the production of knowledge about Africa, and to promote and establish relations with and between African and Nordic research communities. Hosting guest researchers at the Nordic Africa Institute helps the Institute to learn about current research and to benefit from networking opportunities with scholars from the continent.

The length of the programme

The duration of the stay is approximately 90 days (3 months). Also note that most academic institutions in the Nordic countries, including the Nordic Africa Institute, are closed or at least running at a reduced capacity during the periods June – August and mid-December to mid-January. Applicants can thus not choose these periods for their visit.

Financial support and other benefits

The scholarship includes a return air-fare (economy class), accommodation, a subsistence allowance of 450 SEK (approx. 50 USD) per day plus an installation grant of 2,500 SEK (approx. 280 USD) and access to a workspace, including a desk computer, in a shared office at the Institute. Please note that the subsistence allowance will be provided only for the days spent in Uppsala.

The Institute’s library is specialised in literature on contemporary Africa and focuses on Social Sciences. Furthermore, Guest Researchers have access to the Uppsala University Library and to the Library of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.Who qualifies to apply?

Who qualifies to apply?

The scholarship programme is directed at early career researchers based in Africa and engaged in Africa-oriented research. The research topic should be within the disciplines of Social Sciences and Humanities, and with a focus on contemporary Africa. The research should also be relevant to the core principles of the UN Agenda 2030, as indicated in the five impact ares of the InstituteOpens in new window..

The programme is open to two categories of early career researchers:

• PhD students enrolled in an Africa-based doctoral program and with a full-time employment at an African-based university or research centre, and who do not have access to PhD funding from an international scholarship or other international funding opportunities.
• Postdoctoral researchers within four years of PhD completion, with an employment at an African university or research centre.

The Institute strives to achieve a fair distribution of scholarship positions in regards to gender and geographic focus. We especially welcome research topics that focus on gender issues and the position of women in society.How to apply

How to apply

Apply online and upload the following documents:

• Up-to-date CV, including list of publications (if available online, please include links)
• Outline of research project, 5 pages:
  A well elaborated research proposal containing the following sections:
  • Introduction
  • Research aims and scope
  • Literature review
  • Research design and methods
  • Implications and contribution to knowledge
  • Reference list

• Work plan, 1 page:
  The plan should be specific for the time spent at the Institute, including research objectives and expected results
• Reference: Signed letter of support:
  • For PhD students: Signed letter(s) of support from Supervisor/Head of Department confirming both PhD enrollment and employment.
  • For postdoctoral researchers: Signed letter of support from Head of Department/Institute confirming current work place/affiliation.

Please be aware that we read proposals carefully and it is important to us to learn about your research in your words and framing. Using AI to develop your text may place you at a disadvatage in our assessment process.
Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. Persons currently or previously employed by or otherwise professionally affiliated with the Nordic Africa Institute are not eligible for scholarships. Kindly also note that the application must be in English.
In the extraordinary event that the Scholarship Programme for 2027 does not receive full funding, applicants will be informed immediately.

Apply Here

For more information about the scholarship programme, please contact nai@nai.uu.se.