AfricaLics Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme 2027 for Young African PhD Students (Fully Funded)

 

AfricaLics Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme

Apply for the AfricaLics Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme 2027, a fully funded opportunity for young African PhD students researching Innovation and Development. Established in 2015 with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), this prestigious programme offers a 3-month study visit at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, combined with online pre- and post-activities. Since inception, 50 African PhD students from low- and lower-middle-income countries have benefited from training and mentorship. The 2027 cohort activities begin in February 2027, with the study visit scheduled from 6 September to 3 December 2027. Female PhD students and applicants from low-income countries are especially encouraged to apply. Candidates must be enrolled at an African university, working on innovation and development topics from a social science perspective, with adequate English literacy.

Overview

Criteria	Details
Programme	AfricaLics Visiting PhD Fellowship (VFP) 2027
Funder	Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
Host Institution	University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa
Field	Innovation and Development (I&D)
Study Period	3 months (6 September – 3 December 2027)
Eligibility	PhD students at African universities
Funding	Fully funded
Application Deadline	2nd October 2026

About the AfricaLics VFP

The AfricaLics Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme (VFP) is a prestigious initiative inviting eligible PhD students enrolled at universities in African countries to advance their research in Innovation and Development (I&D). The programme is coordinated by the AfricaLics network, which works to build a vibrant research community across the African continent in this emerging, multidisciplinary field.

Established in 2015 with financial support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the VFP has supported 50 African PhD students from low- and lower-middle-income countries to date, providing valuable training and mentorship.

Successful candidates for the 2027 cohort will participate in a fellowship combining online pre- and post-activities with a 3-month study period at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in South Africa.

For other funded opportunities aimed at African scholars and researchers, explore the ARCGSSP Scholarship Programme for Africans and the CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program.

Programme Objectives

The AfricaLics VFP aims to support African PhD students working in Innovation and Development by:

Objective	Description
Academic Strengthening	Enhancing academic and research capabilities
Dissertation Quality	Improving the quality of PhD dissertations
Career Preparation	Preparing candidates for careers in academia, private sector, or government/policymaking
International Exposure	Increasing mobility and exposure to international knowledge on innovation and development
Research Community	Contributing to a vibrant research community in Africa

Programme Timeline

Phase	Period
Online activities kick-off	First half of February 2027
Study visit at UJ	6 September – 3 December 2027
Post-visit online activities	December 2027 and early 2028

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for this fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Requirement	Details
Country	From African countries classified by OECD/DAC as low and lower-middle-income
Research Focus	Relationship between innovation and economic, social or environmentally sustainable development
Enrollment	Enrolled as a PhD student at an African university
Progress	Preferably completed first year of PhD studies by December 2026
Existing Funding	Must already have basic funding secured for PhD studies
English Literacy	Adequate English proficiency (documentation may be requested)

How to apply ?

Resource	URL
Official Webpage	AfricaLics PhD VFP 2027 Cohort Call