Empowering African Scholarship in the Humanities
The Enhancing Humanities Research in Africa (EHURA) programme, a visionary initiative of the African Humanities Association (AHA) supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, is now accepting applications for the 2025/2026 Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards.
This prestigious fellowship is designed to nurture a new generation of African scholars who are redefining the frontiers of knowledge in the humanities and related social sciences. By providing targeted research support and fostering intellectual collaboration, EHURA seeks to strengthen Africa’s capacity to produce globally relevant, locally grounded scholarship that reflects the continent’s unique cultural, philosophical, and historical experiences.
About the Fellowship
The EHURA Postdoctoral Fellowship supports early-career scholars who have recently completed their PhD and are seeking to deepen their research expertise through innovative, high-quality projects. The program emphasizes the integration of qualitative research methodologies that enrich understanding of human culture, thought, and society — while encouraging creative engagement with emerging technologies and digital humanities.
Proposals that examine the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and African narratives are particularly encouraged. These might include studies that:
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Explore how AI can be ethically and creatively used to interpret, preserve, and disseminate African knowledge systems.
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Investigate the cultural implications of AI in storytelling, memory, and identity.
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Develop digital tools for archiving and revitalizing indigenous languages, oral traditions, and historical materials.
Through this lens, EHURA aims to position African scholars at the forefront of the global digital humanities movement, ensuring that African voices and epistemologies shape the evolving relationship between technology and culture.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications are welcome from:
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Early-career faculty based at African universities or research institutions.
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Scholars who have obtained their PhD within the past five (5) years at the time of application.
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Researchers working within the Humanities and allied Social Science disciplines, including but not limited to philosophy, history, linguistics, literature, cultural studies, anthropology, and digital humanities.
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Candidates who can demonstrate academic excellence, originality, and a clear commitment to advancing knowledge production in Africa.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive comprehensive support designed to enhance both their research output and professional development, including:
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Research Grant: Up to USD 12,000 to support research activities such as fieldwork, data collection, and writing retreats.
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Mentorship & Training: Access to capacity-building workshops and one-on-one mentorship from senior scholars within the AHA and EHURA networks.
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Networking Opportunities: Participation in regional conferences, academic forums, and collaborative projects to foster cross-disciplinary engagement.
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Publication Support: Opportunities to publish in the AHA Book Series and the African Humanities Journal, ensuring wide dissemination of fellows’ research findings.
Duration of the Fellowship
The fellowship spans nine (9) months, running from March to November 2026. During this period, fellows are expected to actively engage in research, attend EHURA-organized mentorship and training sessions, and produce a publishable paper or manuscript based on their funded project.
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to compile the following materials into a single PDF document:
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Cover Letter (250–300 words):
Briefly introduce yourself, describe your research interests, and explain how the fellowship aligns with your academic goals. -
Research Proposal (maximum 2,000 words):
Clearly articulate your research objectives, methodology, theoretical framework, and expected outcomes. Emphasize the relevance of your project to African contexts and its contribution to the humanities. -
Curriculum Vitae (CV):
Include details of your educational background, academic appointments, publications, and research experience. -
Two Academic Reference Letters:
One of the letters must be written by your PhD supervisor or primary research mentor.
Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Call for Applications Opens | October 10, 2025 |
| Application Deadline | December 1, 2025 |
| Notification of Results | January 19, 2026 |
| Fellowship Commencement | March 1, 2026 |
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Submission Guidelines
Applications should be submitted electronically via email to:
📩 fellowships@africanhumanitiesassociation.org
Please use the following subject line format:
EHURA Postdoctoral Fellowship Application – [Applicant’s Full Name]
Contact and Further Information
For inquiries or clarifications, please contact:
The EHURA Secretariat
African Humanities Association (AHA)
🌐 Website: https://africanhumanitiesassociation.org/
📧 Email: fellowships@africanhumanitiesassociation.org
About EHURA and the African Humanities Association
The EHURA Programme represents a bold commitment to reimagining the future of African scholarship. In partnership with the African Humanities Association (AHA), it supports interdisciplinary and transnational research that speaks to Africa’s past, present, and future. By promoting inclusive, innovative, and technologically informed approaches to humanities research, EHURA seeks to empower African scholars to contribute meaningfully to global intellectual discourses while preserving the continent’s diverse cultural heritage.
The African Research (AR) Index is a comprehensive scholarly directory and database focused explicitly on journal publishers that publish and disseminate African research.
