CODESRIA African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous and Alternative Knowledges (AFRIAK) for young Africans.

Application Deadline: 15 February 2026.

Applications are now open for the 2026 CODESRIA African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous and Alternative Knowledges (AFRIAK). The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is pleased to announce a call for proposals for the second cohort of the African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous and Alternative Knowledges (AFRIAK). This programme is offered with the support of the Mastercard Foundation as part of the Foundation’s commitment to advance education and skills for young people in Africa.

The programme seeks to implement an innovative approach to training a new generation of young people, especially young women, to design research projects and produce knowledge in partnership with academic mentors on the one hand and bearers of indigenous knowledge on the other. This approach will privilege local, indigenous, and endogenous knowledge as forms of knowledge or knowledge systems that are deeply embedded in communities and closely tied to their lived experiences.

RESEARCH AREAS

Proposals submitted under this call should revolve around the following themes:

1. IK and methods of knowing.
2. Indigenous medical science and practices.
3. IK and the creative sector
4. IK and systems of entrepreneurship.
5. Agriculture and agri-foods systems.
6. Mobilizing digital systems for IK in Africa.
7. Indigenous pedagogies and curriculum development.
8. IK in social capital development.
9. Indigenous technologies and sustainable development
10. IK, climate change, and ecological sustainability.
11. IK heritage in nutrition.
12. Indigenous languages and science.
13. IK, religion and spirituality science.
14. IK, governance systems and state-building.

Requirements

• This call targets young African nationals aged 35 and below at the time of application and who reside on the African continent.  
• The targeted youth should be engaged in research and knowledge production activities that draw, or aspire to draw, on Indigenous/local knowledge perspectives.
• They should be based in formal research and knowledge institutions or Indigenous knowledge research centres in Africa

Structure and Duration of Fellowship

The total duration of the Fellowship is seven months. One out of the seven months will be spent at an intellectual hub in a country other than the country of citizenship of the successful applicant.

APPLICATION MODALITIES

Both Individual and Group applications are welcome.

INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS are required to provide the following information directly in the application system: –

• Curriculum Vitae details: Applicants are expected to provide key biographical and professional information.
• Concept note: Applicants will be required to complete a structured concept note with sections that identify and elaborate on a research topic, briefly assess the body of knowledge that illuminate the research topic, methodology and expected outcomes.
• Reference letters: Applicants must attach two signed reference letters, each limited to one page, from two referees familiar with the applicant’s work. Please note that reference letters are also assessed and contribute a significant portion to the success of the application.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

Applications should be submitted through the CODESRIA portal reserved for this fellowship, at https://codesria.org/application-form-african-fellowships-for-research-in-indigenous-and-alternative-knowledges-2026/

ONLY APPLICATIONS RECEIVED VIA THIS PORTAL WILL BE CONSIDERED.

Please note that only successful applicants will be notified

The deadline for applications is 23:59 GMT on 15^th February 2026.

Any queries should be directed to [email protected]

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the CODESRIA African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous and Alternative Knowledges (AFRIAK)