APDD Fellowship supports independent African peacebuilding research by funding individual research fellowships that enhance visibility, policy relevance, and impact. The APDD Fellowship is offered through the APDD program and provides awards to African researchers, policy analysts, and practitioners working on conflict and peacebuilding issues.
The fellowship is administered by the African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) program of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) and is funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. The program includes field research, analysis, workshops, and opportunities for publication and networking.
APDD Fellowship Benefits
- In 2026, up to nine (9) individual fellowships will be awarded at a maximum of $12,000 each.
- Fellows commit to six (6) months of field-based research and three (3) months of analysis and writing for a total of nine (9) months (July 2026 to March 2027).
- Participation in two mandatory APDD workshops occurring in July and January across different regions of Africa to refine research, present findings, and network.
- Contribution opportunities to the APDD Working Paper series and African Peacebuilding Policy Review and Analysis, digital forums, and social media platforms.
- Possibility to contribute to international peer-reviewed journals, books, articles/essays, blogs, features, op-ed articles, and podcasts.
- Mentorship from highly experienced senior scholars, peer-to-peer learning, and membership in a network of African scholars and practitioners.
- Fellows gain knowledge and skills to advance careers as academics or practitioners and insert evidence-based knowledge into regional and global debates.
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APDD Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- All applicants must be African citizens currently residing in an African country; open to African academics, policy analysts, and practitioners.
- Academic applicants must hold a full-time faculty or research position at an African university or research organization and have a PhD obtained no earlier than January 2016 (PhDs not awarded by June 2026 will not be prioritized as academics).
- Policy analysts or practitioners must be based in Africa at a regional or sub-regional institution, government agency, or nongovernmental/media/civil society organization and have at least a master’s degree obtained before January 2021 with at least five years of proven research and work experience in peacebuilding-related activities on the continent.
How to Apply for APDD Fellowship?
- Refer to the APDD Fellowship Application Guidebook for application instructions and details (link provided on the program page).
- Submit an online application via the APDD application portal (see program page and guidebook for the portal link).
- Prepare application materials: research proposal and bibliography, current CV, proposed research timeline, proposed research budget, two reference letters, and language evaluation(s) if required.
- For inquiries or technical questions about the online application portal, contact APDD staff at apdd@ssrc.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the APDD Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, timeline, outputs, and how to apply based on the official program information.
What is the APDD Individual Research Fellowship?
The APDD Individual Research Fellowship (IRF) is a program that supports independent African peacebuilding research. Since 2012, the IRF has enhanced the quality and visibility of African peacebuilding research by funding fellows to conduct field-based research and produce policy-relevant outputs that reach scholars, policymakers, and practitioners regionally and globally.
How many fellowships and how much funding is available in 2026?
In 2026, up to nine (9) individual fellowships will be awarded, each at a maximum of $12,000. The awards are funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation and administered by the APDD program of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC). The funding supports research activities during the fellowship period.
Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
All applicants must be African citizens residing in an African country. The competition is open to academics, policy analysts, and practitioners. Academic applicants must hold full-time faculty or research positions and have a PhD obtained no earlier than January 2016. Policy/practitioner applicants need a master’s obtained before January 2021 and at least five years of relevant experience.
What is the duration and structure of the fellowship?
Fellows undertake nine (9) months of activity consisting of six (6) months of field-based research followed by three (3) months of analysis and writing. The scheduled fellowship period runs from July 2026 to March 2027, and fellows are expected to participate in program activities and deliver research outputs during this timeframe.
Are there mandatory workshops for fellows?
Yes. Fellows participate in two mandatory APDD workshops occurring in July and January across different regions of Africa. These workshops help refine research design and methods, provide opportunities to present findings, improve accessibility of work for multiple constituencies, and facilitate networking with senior academics and practitioners.
What outputs are fellows expected to produce?
Fellows produce research-based knowledge relevant to peacebuilding scholarship, policy, and practice. They may contribute to the APDD Working Paper series, African Peacebuilding Policy Review and Analysis, digital forums, and social media. Fellows may also publish in international peer-reviewed journals, books, articles/essays, blogs, and podcasts.
What application materials are required?
Applications consist of an online application form, research proposal and bibliography, current CV, proposed research timeline, proposed research budget, two reference letters, and language evaluation(s) if required. Detailed instructions and templates are available in the APDD Fellowship Application Guidebook linked on the program page.
How do I apply and where can I find the application guide?
To apply, consult the APDD Fellowship Application Guidebook available on the program page. The guidebook contains application instructions and requirements. Applicants should use the online application portal referenced in the guidebook and submit all required materials by the portal’s deadlines.
Who can I contact for questions about the application?
For inquiries or technical questions about the online application portal or the fellowship, contact APDD staff at apdd@ssrc.org. The program page also lists related resources and links, including the FAQ page and the APDD Fellowship Application Guidebook.
Who funds the APDD Fellowship program?
The APDD Fellowship program is funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation and administered by the African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) program of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC). The program page cites the Carnegie Foundation as the funder.
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