The HFG African Fellows Awards are offered by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation to support emerging African doctoral researchers whose work sheds light on violence and related issues affecting the continent. This highly selective fellowship provides funding, mentorship, and global visibility for scholars investigating critical topics such as conflict, crime, political instability, gender violence, and social aggression.
Why This Fellowship Matters
Many pressing development and security challenges in Africa, from conflict zones to systemic inequalities, require deeper academic investigation. The HFG African Fellows programme helps build research capacity by funding scholar-led projects that contribute evidence, analysis, and policy-relevant insights about the causes, manifestations, and reduction of violence and aggression.
By providing structured support and exposure, this fellowship helps scholars catalyse their careers, publish in international journals, and connect with leading global networks.
Key Benefits
✔ Research Grant: Up to $10,000 to support fieldwork, data collection, or project development related to your research.
✔ Mentorship: Guidance from senior African and Africa-centered scholars to refine methods, interpretation, and publication strategies.
✔ Workshops & Training: In-person research methods workshop held on the African continent to strengthen your design and fieldwork skills.
✔ Conference Support: Sponsorship to present your work at an international academic conference, expanding your visibility.
✔ Publication Assistance: Editorial support and writing workshops that prepare you to submit research to peer-reviewed journals and other outlets.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
To be eligible, you must:
Be enrolled in a Ph.D. programme at an accredited African university.
Be living on the African continent at the time of application.
Be aged 45 or younger when applying.
Propose a research project directly related to violence — broadly understood to include war, crime, terrorism, interpersonal violence, political extremism, resource conflict, and related topics.
Research proposals can span social and natural sciences or allied disciplines, as long as they promise insight into causes, consequences, or mitigation strategies tied to violence.
Application Timeline
🗓 Call Opens: Typically 1 December each cycle.
🗓 Deadline:1 March (biennial cycle, next expected early 2026).
🗓 Decisions Announced: By June.
🗓 Programme Start: Begins with a methods workshop on the African continent after selection.
The programme usually runs every two years, so check application opening dates carefully.
Create an account on the online application platform to begin your submission.
Prepare your research proposal — include a clear problem statement, methodology, expected impact, and how your work contributes to understanding or reducing violence.
Submit your application before 1 March (check the foundation’s site for the specific year’s deadline).
Applications often require supporting documents such as academic transcripts, a CV, and letters of reference. Be sure to follow the official guidelines closely when submitting.
