The Megatrends Afrika project has announced its 2025 Fellowships, offering three African postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research in Germany. Hosted by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), the fellowships focus on the intersection of global megatrends and African political and economic development.
Afrika 2025 Fellowship Package
Selected fellows for German institute of development and sustainability for the class of 2025 will receive:
- A monthly grant of €2,800 for the duration of the 3-month fellowship.
- Economy-class round-trip airfare between their home country and Germany.
- Financial support for public transport, mobile phone credit, and ancillary costs in Germany.
- A support letter for visa applications, if required.
Fellows will have access to resources and mentorship at their host institution in Berlin (SWP), Bonn (IDOS), or Kiel (IfW), and will actively participate in project meetings, events, and other activities.
Who is It For?
The fellowship is open to African researchers who meet the following criteria:
- Hold a Ph.D. in political science, economics, social sciences, geography, international relations, or related fields.
- Have a strong research and publication record relevant to the Megatrends Afrika project.
- Demonstrate an ability to produce impactful, policy-relevant work.
- Experience in scientific policy advice is an added advantage.
Research Topics for 2025
Applicants are encouraged to propose a Megatrends Policy Brief aligned with one of the following themes:
- Violent Actors and Transformation of Conflict
- Examining how violent conflicts reshape political order.
- Exploring the influence of technological innovations and global power dynamics on armed conflict in Africa.
- Megatrends and Democratization vs. Autocratization
- Investigating how trends like demographic change, digitalization, urbanization, and climate change influence democratic or autocratic developments.
- Global Power Shifts and Multipolarity
- Analyzing the evolving roles of external actors (e.g., China, Russia, UAE, Turkey, USA) in Africa’s international relations.
How to Apply?
Applications should be submitted as a single PDF file and include:
- A 1-page letter of motivation.
- An academic CV, including a list of publications.
- A sample of two recent publications.
- Copies of relevant academic transcripts and diplomas.
- A concept note (maximum 2,000 words) detailing the proposed research project, including its academic and policy relevance, feasibility, and theoretical and methodological framework.
Submit applications via email to [email protected] as per this call letter https://www.megatrends-afrika.de/das-projekt/call-for-applications-fellowship-2025.
Applications must be submitted by January 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CET.