The Purpose of the Program

In order to encourage a new generation of African Scholars it is imperative that an environment should be created and opportunities availed that will stimulate research on Africa-related issues, and the AISA Emerging Scholar Fellowship Program is intended to serve this purpose. The Program seeks to foster the development of a new generation of scholars who embrace both serious academic work and an objective to contribute towards progressive policymaking process in Africa.

The Fellowship extends over the period of two-years.

Young South African scholars who are in the process of completing their PhD degree studies (among them AISA interns and young graduates) are invited to apply for this Fellowship Programme. The applicant’s dissertation should be on a topic that addresses issues related to Africa and have as its objective to contribute towards the research on Africa and the promotion of the continent’s renewal project and economic development initiatives.

Successful Fellows will have an access to AISA’s world-class library and research facilities as well as an opportunity to partake in its wealth of research networks.

On completion of the study the candidate is expected to accede the right to publish the dissertation to AISA.

AISA will provide basic working and residential accommodation (where necessary), and allowance/stipend for the successful candidates for the duration of the Fellowship.

Applications

The application form, which will be available online, should be completed and returned with an academic CV (maximum of 3 pages); the applicant’s research proposal (maximum 4 pages prefaced by an abstract of 100 words) presenting the research problem, methodology and indicating the relevance of the research to one or more of AISA’s research themes. In addition, applicants should submit, a letter testifying to institutional affiliation, recommendation by the thesis supervisor and contact details of two referees.

Applications must be received no later than 31 October each year (for Fellowships commencing the following year), so that they can be considered in November and the successful applicants be contacted by the end of the year.

Applications will be evaluated and selected by the Selection Committee based on the following criteria:

Females and candidates from previously disadvantaged communities are specifically encouraged to apply.

Enquiries and applications should be addressed to:

Dr Molapo
Research Director and Coordinator
Africa Institute of South Africa
PO Box 630
Pretoria
0001
South Africa

Email: matseliso@ai.org.za