The Africa Institute Senior & Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 in UAE (Fully Funded)

Application Deadline: 30 September 2026 (11:59 p.m. GST)

The Africa Institute at Global Studies University has opened applications for its 2027 Senior and Postdoctoral Fellowships Program (Africa Institute Senior & Postdoctoral Fellowships), offering exceptional scholars the opportunity to pursue groundbreaking research in African and African diaspora studies through fully funded residential fellowships in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

This prestigious fellowship welcomes academics, researchers, authors, and public intellectuals whose work contributes to a deeper understanding of Africa and its global diaspora. Fellows will become part of an interdisciplinary academic community while receiving access to world-class research resources, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities. The 2027 fellowship call is open to qualified applicants from all countries. 

About the Fellowship

The Africa Institute is an internationally recognized research and higher education institution dedicated to advancing scholarship on Africa and its diaspora across the humanities and social sciences.

Its annual Research Fellowships Program supports innovative research through several named fellowships, including:

• Toni Morrison Senior Fellowship in African Diaspora Literature and Cultural Studies
• Ali A. Mazrui Senior Fellowship in African Studies
• Okwui Enwezor Postdoctoral Fellowship in Visual Culture, Performance Studies, and Critical Humanities
• Fatema Mernissi Postdoctoral Fellowship in Gender, Feminism, Social and Cultural Studies

Successful applicants will spend their fellowship period conducting independent research while engaging with scholars from diverse disciplines in a vibrant academic environment. 

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

• Fully funded residential fellowship in Sharjah, UAE
• Access to The Africa Institute’s research facilities and academic resources
• Opportunities to collaborate with internationally respected scholars
• Participation in seminars, conferences, workshops, and public lectures
• Strong support for publishing and disseminating research findings
• Membership in an interdisciplinary global research community 

Fellowship Duration

Senior Fellowship

• One-year full-time residency
• September 2027 – June 2028

Postdoctoral Fellowship

• Two-year full-time residency
• September 2027 – June 2029

All selected fellows are expected to arrive in mid-August 2027 to complete residency and housing arrangements before the official start of the program. 

Who Can Apply?

Senior Fellowships

Applicants should:

• Be Associate Professors, Full Professors, or hold equivalent academic positions.
• Independent scholars, authors, and public intellectuals with internationally recognized contributions in relevant fields are also encouraged to apply.
• Conduct research related to African studies or African diaspora studies.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

Applicants must:

• Hold a PhD awarded within the last five years before the fellowship begins.
• Conduct research in fields such as:
  • African Studies
  • African Diaspora Studies
  • Gender and Feminist Studies
  • Cultural and Social Studies
  • Literature
  • Performance Studies
  • Visual Culture
  • Critical Humanities

Applicants from any nationality are eligible to apply. 

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Originality and quality of the proposed research
• Feasibility of completing the project during the fellowship period
• Relevance to the fellowship’s academic themes
• Applicant’s research achievements and academic record
• Overall capacity to successfully complete the proposed work

Applications are reviewed by the faculty of Global Studies University.

Required Application Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• Research abstract (maximum 300 words)
• Project statement (1,000–2,000 words)
• Optional one-page bibliography
• Two writing samples (published or unpublished)
• Letter of Interest
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Contact details of three referees

Each uploaded file must not exceed 3 MB.

Important Dates

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit their applications only through the official online application portal. Email submissions are not accepted, and incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Official Application Portal: https://register.gsu.ac.ae

Official Fellowship Information: The Africa Institute Research Fellowships Program