The Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) offers the 2026 African Scholarship Program, a fully funded research opportunity for early-career African scholars in Social Sciences and Humanities focusing on contemporary Africa. This program provides access to world-class research facilities, mentorship, and financial support to help scholars advance their work.
Program Overview
The NAI African Scholarship Program allows scholars to spend three months conducting research at the Nordic Africa Institute in Uppsala, Sweden. The institute fosters collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and policy-relevant studies.
Key Details:
- Host Institution: Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
- Study Abroad: Study in Europe
- Duration: 90 days (3 months)
- Eligible Countries: All African Countries
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | PhD Scholarships | Fellowships
- Fields of Study: Social Sciences & Humanities with a focus on contemporary Africa
- Funding Type: Fully funded
- Reward: Full Scholarship | Stipend | Accommodation | Return Ticket |
- Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must:
✅ Be an early-career researcher engaged in Africa-related studies
✅ Have citizenship and residence in an African country
✅ Be a doctoral candidate (PhD student) or a recent postdoctoral researcher (PhD completed within the last four years)
✅ Conduct research aligned with the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
✅ Have no access to international research funding
Scholarship Benefits (Fully Funded)
Selected scholars will receive:
✔ Round-trip airfare (from home country to Uppsala, Sweden)
✔ Accommodation during the research stay
✔ Daily allowance of 400 SEK (≈ $40) for living expenses
✔ One-time installation grant of 2,500 SEK (≈ $250)
✔ Access to NAI’s research facilities and library
✔ Workstation with a personal computer
Note: Health insurance and personal expenses are not covered by the scholarship.
Application Process
To apply, submit the following documents:
📌 Curriculum Vitae (CV) – Max 2 pages, including a list of publications
📌 Research Proposal – Max 5 pages, outlining objectives, methodology, and expected impact
📌 Work Plan – Max 1 page, detailing research activities at NAI
📌 Reference Letter – From the Head of Department or a senior researcher confirming academic affiliation and research focus
Applications must be submitted in English. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application Deadline & Selection Timeline
📅 Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
📅 Notification of Selection: May 2025
📅 Research Stay Begins: Between August 2025 – May 2026 (excluding June 15 – August 15 & December 15 – January 15)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can apply for the NAI Scholarship Program?
Only doctoral students (PhD candidates) or recent postdoctoral researchers (PhD completed within 4 years) who are residing in Africa can apply.
2. Do I need to pay for anything?
No. The scholarship fully covers airfare, accommodation, and daily expenses. However, health insurance is not provided, so scholars should arrange their own.
3. Can I apply if I already have other international funding?
No. This program is for researchers without access to international research grants or funding.
4. Can I apply if I’m in the final year of my PhD?
Yes! Final-year PhD students are eligible, as long as they meet all other criteria.
5. What is the duration of the research stay?
Scholars will spend three months (90 days) at NAI in Uppsala, Sweden.
6. What research areas are supported?
NAI supports Social Sciences and Humanities with a focus on contemporary Africa and topics related to the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
7. When will I know if I’ve been selected?
Successful applicants will be notified in May 2025.
8. How do I apply?
Submit your application via the official NAI website: nai.uu.se
Contact Information
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: +46 18 471 52 54
For full details, visit the official Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) website: nai.uu.se
This fully funded opportunity offers African researchers a world-class platform to advance their academic careers while building international networks. Apply now and take your research to the next level!
