2027 African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) Fellowship Awards – Research Fellowships and Opportunities
The African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) programme, hosted by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), supports research, capacity-building and innovation in peacebuilding, development and state-society relations across Africa. The programme provides opportunities for scholars and practitioners to generate knowledge, strengthen research skills and contribute to evidence-based policymaking.
Through research fellowships, doctoral funding, training, conferences, seminars and outreach activities, APDD promotes a deeper understanding of Africa’s political, social and developmental challenges. Its fellowship opportunities are designed to support early- to mid-career scholars, practitioners and African doctoral students at different stages of their academic and professional development.
1. Individual Research Fellowship (IRF)
The Individual Research Fellowship (IRF) supports early- to mid-career scholars and practitioners undertaking independent research related to peacebuilding in Africa. The fellowship provides up to nine months for field-based research and scholarly writing.
The programme aims to strengthen knowledge production and encourage research that contributes to policies and practices influencing peacebuilding across the continent. Fellows have an opportunity to investigate important issues affecting African societies, generate evidence and develop insights that can inform academic discussions and policy interventions.
This fellowship may be particularly relevant to researchers examining conflict prevention, governance, social cohesion, political transitions, community resilience and the relationship between state institutions and society. Applicants should ensure that their proposed research aligns with the fellowship’s objectives and current eligibility requirements.
2. Research Policy Fellowship (RPF)
The Research Policy Fellowship (RPF) provides an opportunity for previous APDD Individual Research Fellows to connect their research expertise with practical policymaking. It supports eligible former fellows who received their IRF awards no earlier than June 2021.
The fellowship lasts up to six months and combines research on a specific policy area with an affiliation at a policy institution or practitioner organisation. This arrangement allows fellows to gain firsthand experience of how policy and practitioner organisations operate, make decisions and address real-world challenges.
The RPF encourages participants to translate previous research findings into practical policy recommendations. Fellows can use the opportunity to inform policy reforms, mobilise research evidence and propose actionable alternatives to existing approaches.
This pathway is particularly valuable for researchers seeking to strengthen their engagement with policymakers, development organisations, government institutions and civil society actors.
3. Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships
APDD offers three doctoral dissertation fellowships designed to help African doctoral students make steady progress towards completing their PhD studies. These opportunities support different stages of the doctoral research process, from proposal development to fieldwork and final dissertation writing.
Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Fellowship
This six-month fellowship supports African doctoral students enrolled at universities in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania or Uganda. It enables recipients to develop their dissertation proposals, conduct preliminary surveys, review relevant literature and prepare their research plans.
The fellowship provides valuable support during the early stages of doctoral research, helping students establish a clear research direction and prepare for subsequent fieldwork.
Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowship
The Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowship provides up to twelve months of support for eligible African doctoral students enrolled at universities in the six participating countries. It enables recipients to conduct fieldwork, collect and analyse data, review literature and advance their dissertation writing.
This opportunity is particularly relevant to doctoral candidates whose research requires substantial empirical investigation and engagement with communities, institutions or other research participants.
Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship
The Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship supports eligible African doctoral students who need dedicated time to complete their dissertations. The fellowship provides up to twelve months, with the possibility of an extension, allowing recipients to take a leave from other responsibilities and concentrate on data analysis, scholarly writing and meeting their doctoral degree requirements.
This support can help candidates overcome common barriers to completion and produce stronger academic research.
Application Process and Contact Information
Interested applicants can access the application portal through the official Social Science Research Council website. Before applying, candidates should review the eligibility criteria, application instructions, deadlines and documentation requirements for their chosen fellowship.
Further information is available through the APDD programme’s official communication channels.
Email: apdd@ssrc.org
Organisation: Social Science Research Council (SSRC)
Address: The Chanin Building, 122 East 42nd Street, 46th Floor, New York, NY 10168, United States.
Conclusion
The APDD fellowship programme provides valuable opportunities for African researchers, practitioners and doctoral students to strengthen their research capacity and contribute to peacebuilding and development. By supporting independent research, policy engagement and doctoral completion, the programme encourages the production of knowledge that can inform institutional reforms, strengthen governance and address complex challenges across African societies.
Prospective applicants should consult the official SSRC website for the latest information on available fellowships, eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
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