African Scholars Gain New Pathway to Influence Peace and Security Policy

The Social Science Research Council has launched a new fellowship for African researchers. The APDD Research Policy Fellowship opens doors for scholars to directly shape policy. Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 cohort with a deadline of November 15, 2025.

This initiative specifically targets former Individual Research Fellows from the last five years. It aims to bridge the critical gap between academic research and practical policymaking across the continent.

Fellowship Offers Immersive Policy Experience and Financial Support

Selected fellows will be fully embedded within a host institution. These include African regional bodies, national institutions, and policy think tanks. The focus areas are peacebuilding, security, and development.

The fellowship provides a generous award of up to $12,000. This funding supports a six-month residency, covering housing, travel, and administrative costs. It allows scholars to take leave from their regular academic duties.

Building a Legacy of African-Led Policy Solutions

The program is designed to have a lasting impact. Fellows will produce tangible outputs from their experience. These include a policy review paper and a peer-reviewed journal article.

This effort strengthens African scholarship and knowledge production. According to the SSRC, it empowers local experts to critically examine existing interventions. The goal is to generate innovative, homegrown strategies for peace and security.

This new Research Policy Fellowship represents a significant investment in African intellectual capital. It directly connects groundbreaking research with the policymakers who can implement change. The initiative promises to shape a more secure and developed future for the continent.

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Who is eligible for the APDD Research Policy Fellowship?

The fellowship is open to African citizens who were previous Individual Research Fellows between 2021 and 2025. Applicants must be residents of an African country and can be academics or policy analysts.

What is the duration and financial support for the fellowship?

The fellowship lasts for six months and provides up to $12,000 in funding. A minimum four-month residency at the host institution is required to cover living and travel expenses.

What are the expected outcomes for fellows?

Fellows must produce at least one African Peacebuilding Policy Review paper and one peer-reviewed journal article. They are also expected to engage directly with policymakers and contribute to institutional discussions.

What type of host institutions will fellows work with?

Placements are with African regional or national institutions, policy think tanks, or civil society organizations. These hosts operate in the fields of peacebuilding, security, and development.

What is the application deadline?

All applications must be submitted by November 15, 2025. The application package includes a research proposal, CV, timeline, budget, and reference letters.