Applications are now open for the 2026 cohort of the Megatrends Afrika Fellowships, a competitive, fully funded research residency designed for outstanding African postdoctoral scholars. The programme offers a three-month placement in Germany during Fall 2026, providing space for independent research, academic exchange, and policy engagement.

The fellowship is hosted under the Megatrends Afrika project, a collaborative initiative of 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. The initiative generates interdisciplinary research on Africa while offering strategic insights to policymakers in Germany and internationally.

Fellowship Overview

• Programme: Fellowships 2026 – Call for Applications

• Duration: Three months (full-time), Fall 2026

• Location: Berlin, Bonn, or Kiel, Germany

• Number of Awards: Three

Selected fellows will spend their residency at one of the partner institutions, contributing to ongoing research conversations while advancing their own independent projects.

What Fellows Will Do

During the residency, fellows are expected to:

• Undertake an individual research project aligned with the Megatrends Afrika thematic areas

• Engage with researchers at the host institute where appropriate

• Contribute a paper to the Megatrends Policy Brief series

• Participate in institutional events, expert dialogues, and academic discussions

The proposed project should build on the applicant’s existing research agenda and be realistically achievable within the three-month timeframe.

Research Themes

Applicants are invited to submit a proposal that aligns with one of the following themes:

• Peace and Security

• The Future of Democracy

• Economic Prospects

• Africa’s Role in the Emerging Global Order

• Science Diplomacy and International Cooperation

Additional areas of interest include artificial intelligence and space initiatives in Africa, the energy transition and critical raw materials, as well as the political implications of digitalisation and urbanisation.

Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview. Applications will be assessed based on:

• Academic and professional merit

• Relevance and originality of the proposed research

• Feasibility within the fellowship period

• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to both academic and policy audiences

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is application deadline 25 March 2026 (11:59 p.m. CET) .

Submit your application to - Megatrends-Afrika@swp-berlin.org