The Africa Institute at Global Studies University now invites applications for its Senior and Postdoctoral Fellowships Program. These research-based fellowships support scholars working on Africa and the African diaspora in the humanities and social sciences. Fellows will reside in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, and contribute to a vibrant intellectual community.
Overview of the Senior and Postdoctoral Fellowships Program
The Africa Institute functions as both a research think-tank and a postgraduate studies institution. It offers master’s and Ph.D. programmes that train a new generation of critical thinkers in African and African diaspora studies. In addition, it runs a Research Fellowships Program that brings senior and emerging scholars to Sharjah for focused research.
Consequently, the Institute has launched four named fellowships. Two support senior scholars, and two support postdoctoral researchers. All fellows work on projects connected to Africa, its diaspora, and related fields.
Toni Morrison Senior Fellowship in African Diaspora Literature and Cultural Studies
This fellowship honours Toni Morrison, the Nobel Prize winning author and thinker whose work reshaped literature and cultural studies. It supports senior scholars whose research engages African and African diaspora literature, culture, and critical theory.
Eligible applicants include:
- Associate or full professors at their home institutions, or
- Independent authors and public intellectuals with strong critical recognition in relevant fields.
The fellowship is a full-time, one-year residency in Sharjah. It typically runs from September to June.
Ali A. Mazrui Senior Fellowship in Global African Studies
This fellowship honours Professor Ali A. Mazrui, a leading figure in African studies whose work bridged the humanities and social sciences. It supports senior scholars whose research focuses on African and African diaspora studies and their intersections with broader disciplines.
Eligible applicants include:
- Well-recognized scholars at the associate or full professor level, or
- Independent authors and public intellectuals with strong critical recognition in African and diaspora studies.
Like the Morrison fellowship, this is a full-time, one-year residency in Sharjah, typically from September to June.
Okwui Enwezor Postdoctoral Fellowship in Visual Culture, Performance Studies, and Critical Humanities
This fellowship honours Okwui Enwezor, the influential scholar, curator, and art critic. It supports emerging scholars whose work focuses on visual culture, performance studies, art history, and critical humanities, especially where these intersect with African and diaspora contexts.
Eligible applicants must:
- Hold a Ph.D. awarded within the last five years before starting the fellowship.
The fellowship is a full-time, two-year residency in Sharjah, typically running from September to June each year.
Fatema Mernissi Postdoctoral Fellowship in Social and Cultural Studies
This fellowship honours Professor Fatema Mernissi, the renowned Moroccan scholar of gender, feminism, Islam, and sociopolitical change. It supports emerging scholars in the social sciences whose work emphasizes gender, feminism, cultural studies, and visual cultures, as long as these intersect with African and African diaspora studies.
Eligible applicants must:
- Hold a Ph.D. awarded within the last five years before starting the fellowship.
This is also a full-time, two-year residency in Sharjah, typically from September to June.
Eligibility Criteria for the Senior and Postdoctoral Fellowships Program
The Institute sets clear eligibility rules for each track.
Senior Fellowships Eligibility
You may apply for a senior fellowship if you are:
- An associate professor or full professor (or equivalent), inside or outside academia, and
- A scholar, author, or public intellectual with recognized work in African or African diaspora studies and related fields.
Postdoctoral Fellowships Eligibility
You may apply for a postdoctoral fellowship if you:
- Hold a Ph.D. that was awarded within the last five years before you start the fellowship, and
- Work in fields connected to African and African diaspora studies, including visual culture, performance studies, gender, feminism, and social or cultural studies.
Therefore, early-career researchers with recent doctorates should consider the postdoctoral tracks, while established scholars should consider the senior tracks.
Application Requirements and Supporting Documents
All applicants must submit their materials through the online portal. Email applications are not accepted.
You will need to upload the following:
- Abstract: Up to 300 words outlining your proposed research project during the fellowship.
- Project statement: 1,000–2,000 words describing your research objectives, approach, and the importance of your study. You may also include a one-page bibliography of key sources.
- Two writing samples: Published or unpublished works that show the quality and relevance of your scholarship.
- Letter of interest: A short letter explaining why you want this fellowship and how it fits your work.
- Curriculum vitae (CV): A current CV showing your education, positions, publications, and relevant activities.
- Three referees: Contact details for three referees. The Institute will contact them directly for reference letters.
Each file must not exceed 3 MB. Make sure all documents are clear and complete before you submit.
How to Apply for the Senior and Postdoctoral Fellowships Program
Applications must go through the official online system.
- New applicants: Use the “Apply as a New Applicant” link to create an account and start your application.
- Returning applicants: Use the “Continue an Existing Application” link to log in and continue a saved application.
You can log in at any time to check the status of your application during the review process. However, you must submit all required materials before the deadline.
Application Deadline and Key Dates
The application window is now open.
- Application deadline: 30 September 2026, 11:59 PM GST
- Review and shortlisting: October 2026
- Interviews: Mid-November 2026
- Offer notifications: By mid-December 2026
- Arrival in Sharjah: Mid-August 2027
- Program start: September 2027
The timeline is indicative and may change at the Institute’s discretion. Therefore, check your email regularly for updates.
Fellowship Duration and Residency Details
Successful fellows will live and work in Sharjah for the duration of their award.
- Senior Fellowship: One-year residency from September 2027 to June 2028.
- Postdoctoral Fellowship: Two-year residency from September 2027 to June 2029.
All fellows should arrive in mid-August 2027. This allows time to finalize residency and housing arrangements before the programme begins.
Why This Opportunity Matters for African Scholars
These fellowships offer a rare chance for African and diaspora scholars to focus on research in a supportive, global environment. They also help build networks across institutions and regions. Moreover, fellows contribute to a growing body of critical work on Africa and its diasporas.
You can also explore more fellowship opportunities on OpportunityLab for other funding, training and career opportunities.
OpportunityLab tracks verified global opportunities for scholars, students, and professionals. For more opportunities, visit OpportunityLab.
The Senior and Postdoctoral Fellowships Program at The Africa Institute supports outstanding scholars at different career stages. If your work connects to African and African diaspora studies, this fellowship can provide time, space, and community for your research.
