The AfricaLics PhD Visiting Fellowship Programme for 2025 supported African PhD students focusing on innovation and development, with online activities and a three-month research stay at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. The application deadline for the 2025 cohort was extended to October 18, 2024, and the selection process has concluded.
Program overview
The fellowship is offered by AfricaLics (the African Network for Economics of Learning, Innovation and Competence Building Systems), in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg (UJ)’s DSI-NRF Trilateral Research Chair.
Key objectives of the program include:
- Helping African PhD students strengthen their academic and research qualifications.
- Improving the quality of their dissertations.
- Preparing students for careers in innovation and development, both within and outside academia.
- Increasing students’ exposure to international knowledge and research environments.
Program structure
The 2025 program included both online activities and an in-person component.
- Online activities (February–December 2025): Successful candidates engaged in a comprehensive virtual program, including writing courses, academic journal article seminars, and online webinars.
- In-person study visit (September 1–November 30, 2025): Fellows were hosted by the University of Johannesburg, providing a focused environment to work on their dissertations, analyze data, and interact with other scholars.
Eligibility and application
Eligibility criteria for the 2025 cohort included being a PhD student at an African university who had completed their first year by December 2024, with research focused on innovation and development. Applicants from various disciplines were considered, provided their work included a social science perspective, and they needed to be from an African country classified as low- or lower-middle-income by the OECD/DAC, with adequate English proficiency. Required application documents included a personal statement, a project outline, a CV, letters of support, academic certificates, and a writing sample.
Funding
The online part of the 2025 program was funded by Sida. For the in-person study visit, AfricaLics aimed to provide a monthly stipend to cover living costs, subject to securing additional funds. Applicants were encouraged to participate in fundraising for travel and accommodation, with AfricaLics offering to cover costs if collective fundraising was successful.
2025 fellowship results and future outlook
Five PhD students from Nigeria, Tanzania, Benin, Rwanda, and Ethiopia were selected for the 2025 fellowship and are currently participating. Information regarding the 2026 fellowship application period is expected in late 2025 and will be announced.
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