Deadline: 31 July 2025 | Hosted by the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF)
The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) invites eligible African postgraduate students to apply for the 2026/27 Moses Mapesa Education and Research Grant, aimed at advancing scholarly research in the protection, conservation, and sustainable management of Africa’s cultural and natural heritage.
About the African World Heritage Fund
The AWHF, established in 2006 by the African Union and UNESCO, supports the effective conservation and protection of heritage sites of Outstanding Universal Value across Africa. As a UNESCO Category II Centre, the Fund works to address challenges such as the underrepresentation of African sites on the World Heritage List and the often insufficient conservation of those already inscribed. The Fund is hosted by the Government of South Africa at the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
About the Moses Mapesa Research Grant
Named in honor of the late Moses Wafula Mapesa (1965–2016)—a leading African conservationist and former Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority—the grant is intended to support African postgraduate students undertaking field-based research. Focused on World Heritage Sites or properties on national Tentative Lists, the grant promotes academic excellence, supports heritage-related fieldwork, and builds capacity among emerging African experts in cultural and natural heritage.
Grant Overview
- Maximum Funding: Up to USD 5,000
- Grant Period: Research must be conducted and completed between May 2026 and February 2027 (9 months).
- Focus: Research must be directly linked to a site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List or on a Tentative List in Africa.
Research Topics of Interest
The proposed research should address one or more of the following heritage themes:
- Traditional custodianship and indigenous knowledge systems
- Heritage risk management and preparedness
- Heritage in conflict or post-conflict contexts
- Conservation methods and management approaches
- Heritage and climate change
- Heritage presentation and interpretation
- Economic and entrepreneurial aspects of heritage
- Sustainable development through heritage
- Awareness-raising and heritage education
- Legal and human rights frameworks
- Heritage and digital/AI technologies
- Heritage authenticity and integrity
- Youth engagement and intergenerational knowledge sharing
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be citizens of an African Union Member State that is party to the 1972 World Heritage Convention.
- Be currently enrolled (or enrolling in 2026) in a Master’s (Master 2 for Francophone countries) or Doctoral programme at an African university.
- Be conducting research on a heritage site that is listed as World Heritage or Tentative List in Africa.
- Be fluent in English, French, or Portuguese.
Application Package Requirements
Each applicant must submit a complete application package, including:
- Completed Application Form (co-signed by the academic supervisor) – available in English, French, and Portuguese.
- Motivation Letter (max. 1 page)
- Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- Proof of Registration or acceptance from an African higher education institution
- Research Proposal (max. 2 pages), including:
- Title, university, degree level, country, and related site
- Research objectives, methodology, timeframe, and expected outcomes
- Bibliography
- Budget, with justification of fieldwork-related costs and list of any other funding sources
Applications missing any of these components or submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Submission Guidelines
- Applications must be submitted online via the Moses Mapesa Grant 2026/27 Application Portal.
- Physical or emailed applications will not be accepted.
Important Dates
- Submission Deadline: 31 July 2025, Midnight (SAST)
- Grant Period: May 2026 – February 2027
- Final Notification of Results: By 31 January 2026
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply well before the deadline.
Evaluation and Selection
Applications will be reviewed by an independent, interdisciplinary committee. The selection will be based on:
- Applicant’s eligibility
- Completeness of application
- Quality and relevance of the research proposal
- Gender, language, and geographic balance
By investing in the academic potential of young African researchers, the Moses Mapesa Research Grant helps build the next generation of heritage custodians, contributing to the long-term protection and promotion of Africa’s rich and diverse heritage.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the awarding organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
