African Researchers Magazine (ISSN: 2714-2787) – premier source for latest African research, science and scholarly news

Tag: heritage management

  • Moses Mapesa Research Grant 2026–2027: Funding Opportunity for African Heritage Master’s and PhD Students

    Moses Mapesa Research Grant 2026–2027: Funding Opportunity for African Heritage Master’s and PhD Students


    Illustrative Image: Moses Mapesa Research Grant 2026–2027: Funding Opportunity for African Heritage Master’s and PhD Students
    Image Source & Credit: AWHF.net
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    1. About the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF)

    Established in 2006 through a collaborative effort between the African Union and UNESCO, the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the preservation of Africa’s cultural and natural heritage. Its core mission is to enhance the conservation, protection, and sustainable management of African sites designated as having Outstanding Universal Value under the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

    Africa’s representation on the World Heritage List remains low, and many listed sites face challenges related to management, conservation, and exposure to threats such as climate change and conflict. In response, AWHF provides technical and financial support to address these gaps. Since 2010, AWHF has operated as a Category II Centre under UNESCO, hosted by the South African government at the Development Bank of Southern Africa, serving as a continental hub for heritage-related initiatives.

    2. About the Moses Mapesa Research Grant

    In honor of the late Moses Mapesa, a leading heritage expert and former Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, AWHF launched this grant to empower the next generation of African researchers in the field of heritage. The Moses Mapesa Research Grant provides financial assistance to master’s and doctoral students whose research focuses on natural or cultural heritage within Africa—particularly work connected to World Heritage Sites or those on national Tentative Lists.

    The grant aims to strengthen academic research, promote home-grown expertise, and build capacity in heritage management, with a specific focus on topics such as climate change, traditional knowledge systems, youth engagement, and digital innovation.

    3. Eligibility Criteria

    Applicants must meet the following conditions to be eligible:

    • Be currently enrolled or planning to enroll in 2026 in a Master’s (or Master 2 for Francophone countries) or Doctoral program at a recognized African university.

    • Conduct dissertation research that is directly related to a World Heritage Site or Tentative List site in Africa. (Access the official lists here: World Heritage List, Tentative Lists)

    • Be a citizen of a Member State of the African Union that is party to the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

    • Be proficient in at least one of the AWHF’s working languages: English, French, or Portuguese.

    4. Grant Details and Research Focus

    The Moses Mapesa Grant provides up to USD $5,000 to support research activities, primarily fieldwork, conducted over a period of nine months, from May 2026 to February 2027.

    Research proposals must engage with a World Heritage or Tentative List site and align with one or more of the following thematic areas:

    • Traditional custodianship and indigenous management systems

    • Heritage risk management and disaster preparedness

    • Heritage in conflict or post-conflict environments

    • Conservation techniques and site management

    • Heritage and climate resilience

    • Presentation, interpretation, and public engagement with heritage

    • Economic and entrepreneurial aspects of heritage

    • Heritage and sustainable development goals (SDGs)

    • Promotion of heritage awareness

    • Legal frameworks, policing, and human rights in heritage

    • Use of digital tools, AI, and technology in heritage preservation

    • Authenticity and identity in heritage conservation

    • Youth engagement and intergenerational knowledge transmission

    5. Grant Conditions and Responsibilities

    Recipients of the Moses Mapesa Grant are expected to fulfill the following obligations:

    • Submit a detailed research description along with proof of academic registration at the start of the funding period.

    • Submit a final report, including a financial statement and either a research summary or full dissertation/thesis, by the end of the grant period.

    • Ensure that all documents and reports are presented in English, French, or Portuguese.

    • Complete the research within the stipulated 9-month window (May 2026 – February 2027). Any delay or failure to fulfill the grant requirements will necessitate repayment of the awarded funds.

    6. Application Requirements

    Applicants must submit a complete application package consisting of:

    1. Completed Application Form, co-signed by academic supervisor

    2. Motivation Letter (maximum 1 page)

    3. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)

    4. Proof of registration or acceptance letter from a university

    5. Research Proposal (maximum 2 pages) including:

      • Full name, affiliated university, country, degree level

      • Title of research and relevant World Heritage/Tentative site

      • Objectives, research questions, justification, relevance, and expected outcomes

      • Methodology and timeline

      • Bibliography

      • Budget with a breakdown of expected costs, sources of additional funding (if any), and justification for each item requested from the AWHF

    Note: Incomplete applications or those not meeting the eligibility criteria will not be considered.

    7. How to Apply

    8. Deadline for Submission

    The final deadline for applications is Midnight SAST on 31 July 2025. Early submissions are highly encouraged. Late applications will not be reviewed.

    9. Evaluation and Selection

    An interdisciplinary panel of experts from across Africa will review applications based on:

    • Eligibility criteria

    • Completeness of application

    • Relevance, originality, and feasibility of the proposed research

    • Geographic, gender, and linguistic diversity

    10. Notification of Results

    Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 31 January 2026.

    For More Information

    For inquiries, contact:
    African World Heritage Fund
    1258 Lever Road, Headway Hill, Midrand,
    South Africa

    This grant presents a unique opportunity for African scholars to not only contribute to the academic field of heritage conservation but also to become active participants in shaping the continent’s future through research, protection, and storytelling of its invaluable heritage assets.

  • Empowering African Scholars: Moses Mapesa Research Grant for Heritage Studies

    Empowering African Scholars: Moses Mapesa Research Grant for Heritage Studies

    The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) has announced the 2024 Moses Mapesa Research Grant, aimed at supporting African doctoral and master’s students specializing in natural and cultural heritage. This grant honors Moses Mapesa’s legacy and contributes to the sustainable conservation and management of Africa’s invaluable heritage by supporting research, particularly fieldwork, on World Heritage sites and those on the tentative list in Africa.

    Established in 2006, the AWHF, an intergovernmental organization, plays a crucial role in conserving and promoting Africa’s cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value. Despite Africa’s rich heritage, its sites are underrepresented on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and many face challenges in conservation and management. The AWHF, operating as a UNESCO category center, supports African State Parties in implementing the UNESCO World Heritage Convention adopted in 1972.

    Grant Details

    • Application Deadline: July 31, 2024
    • Type: Postgraduate
    • Grant Value: Up to USD 5,000
    • Funding Type: Partially Funded
    • Sponsor: African World Heritage Fund (AWHF)
    • Gender: Open to Men and Women

    Benefits

    The grant provides funding for research proposals with a maximum award of USD 5,000. Research must be completed within 9 months, from May 2025 to February 2026, and focus on World Heritage or tentatively listed African sites. The areas of focus include:

    • Heritage and Law
    • Heritage and Digital Technologies
    • Heritage Management and Conservation
    • Heritage and Sustainable Development
    • Heritage and Climate Change
    • Heritage and Economics/Entrepreneurship
    • Heritage Promotion and Awareness
    • Heritage in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations
    • Risk Management and Preparedness
    • Traditional Management Systems

    Eligibility Criteria

    Applicants must meet the following requirements:

    • Academic Enrollment: Currently enrolled or planning to register in 2025 for a Doctoral or Master’s program (master’s 2 for Francophone countries) at an African university, focusing on natural or cultural heritage at an African World Heritage Site.
    • Language Proficiency: Fluent in English, French, or Portuguese.
    • Citizenship: Citizen of an African Union Member State that is a party to the World Heritage Convention.

    Grant Requirements

    Awardees must provide:

    • Initial Research Description: Detailed research description at the beginning of the grant period, including proof of registration.
    • Final Report: Comprehensive final report covering research results, dissertation, or thesis.
    • Financial Report: Detailed financial report on grant fund utilization.

    All documents must be presented in French, English, or Portuguese.

    Evaluation and Selection Process

    Applications are reviewed by an interdisciplinary and cross-regional selection committee based on:

    • Eligibility of Applicant: Compliance with eligibility criteria.
    • Application Package: Completeness of the application package (application form, CV, motivation letter, transcript, and research proposal).
    • Research Quality and Relevance: Quality and relevance of the proposed research.
    • Diversity: Gender, language, and geographic representation.

    Applicants will be notified of the outcome by January 31, 2025.

    Application Documents

    Applicants must submit:

    1. Completed Application Form: Co-signed by the supervisor.
    2. University Transcript: Current transcript.
    3. Updated CV: Limited to 2 pages.
    4. Motivation Letter: Concise, 1-page maximum.
    5. Research Proposal: 2 pages maximum, including:
      • Basic Information: Full name, affiliated university, country, degree level, and research title.
      • Research Description: Goals, objectives, research questions, relevance, significance, and scope.
      • Research Methodology: Approach, timeframe, and analysis methods.
      • Bibliography: Relevant sources.
      • Budget: Allocation of grant funds for fieldwork items with justifications.

    How to Apply

    1. Request Application Form: Email bridgetd@dbsa.org to obtain the form in English, French, or Portuguese.
    2. Submit Application: Email the completed application form and supporting documents to info@awhf.net and bridgetd@dbsa.org before the deadline.

    For more details, visit the AWHF website.

    Empowering African Scholars: Preserving Heritage through the Moses Mapesa Research Grant

    The Moses Mapesa Research Grant offered by the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) plays a pivotal role in advancing research opportunities for African doctoral and master’s students in the realms of natural and cultural heritage. This initiative is crucial as it provides significant financial support, up to USD 5,000 per awardee, tailored to the specific research proposals of successful applicants. By focusing on World Heritage and tentative listed sites across Africa, the grant encourages fieldwork, which is essential for gaining firsthand insights and data collection in these critical areas.

    Moreover, the grant’s eligibility criteria prioritize students from African universities, ensuring that local scholars are empowered to study and contribute to the preservation and understanding of Africa’s rich heritage. The emphasis on fluency in English, French, or Portuguese and citizenship of African Union Member States enhances inclusivity and regional participation in heritage research.

    The diverse range of research topics supported, from traditional management systems to climate change impacts and digital technologies, reflects the multidimensional nature of heritage preservation and management challenges in Africa. This broad scope not only encourages innovative approaches but also addresses pressing issues that affect the sustainability and resilience of heritage sites across the continent.

    In terms of research grants available to Africans, the Moses Mapesa Research Grant stands out for its clear focus on empowering young scholars to undertake meaningful research that contributes directly to the conservation, management, and promotion of Africa’s natural and cultural heritage. By supporting these initiatives, the AWHF not only honors the legacy of Moses Wafula Mapesa but also fosters a new generation of experts who will play a crucial role in safeguarding Africa’s heritage for future generations. The structured application process and rigorous evaluation by an interdisciplinary committee ensure that funds are allocated to projects with the highest potential for impact and contribution to knowledge in the field.

    Overall, this grant represents a significant opportunity for African researchers to expand their expertise, contribute to global heritage discourse, and drive positive change in their communities and beyond.