Call for Proposals: CODESRIA/Mastercard Foundation is offering African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous & Alternative Knowledges (AFRIAK) – 2025
Application Deadline: May 15, 2025
Organized by: The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA)
Supported by: Mastercard Foundation
Overview
CODESRIA is pleased to announce the 2025 African Indigenous and Alternative Knowledge Scholarships (AFRIAK), a pioneering research fellowship program supported by the Mastercard Foundation. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to nurturing African youth through education, research, and skills development and honors the legacy of Sulley Gariba, a distinguished Ghanaian scholar and advocate for indigenous knowledge in research and evaluation.
AFRIAK is designed to empower young African researchers aged 24–35 who are engaging with or aspiring to explore indigenous and alternative knowledge systems. This program seeks to integrate local knowledge holders into formal research and provide a collaborative, interdisciplinary space for knowledge generation that reflects Africa’s rich intellectual heritage.
Fellowship Objectives
The AFRIAK Fellowship aims to:
- Encourage young scholars to develop research that draws on African indigenous/local knowledge systems.
- Foster collaboration between young researchers, local knowledge holders, and academic mentors.
- Build a vibrant community of practice that bridges formal academic research and traditional knowledge.
- Elevate the visibility and value of alternative epistemologies in African scholarly and developmental discourse.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is intended for young African researchers aged 24 to 35, who meet the following eligibility criteria:
Eligibility Requirements
- You are engaged in research, education, or knowledge production that draws on indigenous/local knowledge perspectives.
- You are affiliated with a recognized academic or indigenous knowledge research institution in Africa.
- Practitioners with formal teaching qualifications who actively integrate indigenous knowledge into their practice are also encouraged to apply.
- Up to 70% of the fellows selected will be women, in line with the program’s gender equity commitment.
- Your research interests must align with one of CODESRIA’s priority themes, which emphasize indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems across disciplines.
Fellowship Structure and Benefits
Selected fellows will participate in a seven-month fellowship, including:
- Induction workshops, a midterm internship, fieldwork, and dissemination activities.
- Formation into interdisciplinary research teams of seven fellows, each supported by:
- Two indigenous/local knowledge holders.
- One academic mentor.
- Collaborative research planning, implementation, and output development—jointly shaped by fellows, mentors, and knowledge holders.
- Ongoing support through intellectual hubs established by CODESRIA to encourage both academic and community-based engagement.
- Post-fellowship activities, including contribution to a growing network of scholars and practitioners in indigenous knowledge systems.
Research Themes
Applicants must propose a research project that fits into a CODESRIA priority area. These areas prioritize themes such as:
- Indigenous governance and conflict resolution
- Traditional ecological knowledge and climate resilience
- Health and healing systems rooted in African traditions
- African philosophies, spiritual systems, and cosmologies
- Indigenous education, storytelling, and pedagogies
- Language, culture, and identity preservation
Application Guidelines
Both individual and joint applications are welcome.
Required Documents for Individual Applications
- Curriculum Vitae (1 page)
Include your full name, date of birth, current role, and institutional affiliation. - Concept Note (2 pages)
- Introduce your proposed research topic.
- Explain how it aligns with one or more of CODESRIA’s priority areas.
- Justify the significance of the topic and its relevance to indigenous/alternative knowledge systems.
- Describe the key activities you plan to undertake and the expected outcomes of your research.
- Two Reference Letters (1 page each)
Letters must be written by individuals familiar with your academic or professional work.
Selection and Evaluation
Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Alignment with indigenous/local knowledge frameworks.
- Originality, relevance, and feasibility of the research concept.
- Potential for community impact and knowledge dissemination.
- Evidence of commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary research.
- Gender and regional diversity will also be considered in the final selection process.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: May 15, 2025
- Fellowship Duration: Seven months (dates to be confirmed upon selection)
How to Apply
Applicants must submit all required documents via the official submission portal on the CODESRIA website.
For more details and to access the full application guidelines, please visit the Official AFRIAK Fellowship Webpage.
Contact
For inquiries, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
