The African Scholarship Program aims 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, hosted by the Institute’s researchers, networking opportunities and other resources that provide for a stimulating research environment. Through the program, 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.
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 15 June–15 August and 15 December–15 January. Applicants can thus not choose these periods for their visit.
Eligibility
The scholarship program 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 areas of the Institute.
The program is open to two main categories of early career researchers:
Staff full-time employed by an African-based university or research center who are enrolled on a doctoral program in the African region and who do not have access to an international scholarship
Postdoctoral researchers (within 4 years or less of PhD completion).
The Institute strives to achieve a fair distribution of scholarship positions in regard to gender and geographic focus. They especially welcome research topics that focus on gender issues and the position of women in society.
Benefits
The scholarship includes a return airfare (economy class), accommodation, a subsistence allowance of 400 SEK (approx. 40 USD) per day plus an installation grant of 2,500 SEK (approx. 250 USD) and access to a workspace, including a desk computer, in a shared office at the Institute. Note that the subsistence allowance will be provided only for the days spent in Uppsala.
The Institute’s library specializes 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.
Application Process
Apply online and upload the following documents:
Up-to-date CV, including a list of publications (if available online, please include links)
Outline of research project, 5 pages:
A well-elaborated research proposal
Workplan, 1 page:
The plan should be specific for the time spent at the institute, including research objectives and expected results.
Reference: A signed letter of support from the applicant’s Head of Department or other senior scholar in the same field, which confirms current workplace/affiliation and field of research.
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. Also, please note that the application must be in English. In the extraordinary event that the Scholarship Program for 2026 does not receive full funding, applicants will be informed immediately.
