Scholarship Overview
Overview: The Africa Institute Research Fellowships Program
The Africa Institute, Global Studies University operates as a globally oriented center for research, documentation, study, and teaching of Africa and its diaspora in the humanities and social sciences. Its Research Fellowships Program hosts senior and postdoctoral fellowships designed to advance critical scholarship on African and African diaspora studies.
The Institute functions as both a research-based think-tank and a postgraduate studies institution, offering masters and Ph.D. programs. The fellowship program specifically supports scholars through named residencies honoring four transformative figures: Toni Morrison, Ali A. Mazrui, Okwui Enwezor, and Fatema Mernissi.
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Available Fellowships for 2027
Toni Morrison Senior Fellowship in African Diaspora Literature and Cultural Studies
This fellowship honors the Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison (1931–2019), acclaimed for her contributions to world literature and the understanding of the African American experience. The fellowship supports work in African diaspora literature and cultural studies.
Eligibility: Associate or Full Professors; or independent authors and public intellectuals with critical recognition in African and African diaspora culture.
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Duration: One-year residency (September 2027 – June 2028)
Ali A. Mazrui Senior Fellowship in Global African Studies
Named for the transformative Professor Ali A. Mazrui, this fellowship emphasizes African and African diaspora studies and their intersections with social sciences and the humanities.
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Eligibility: Well-recognized scholars at associate or full professor levels; or independent authors and public intellectuals with critical recognition in African and African diaspora studies.
Duration: One-year residency (September 2027 – June 2028)
Okwui Enwezor Postdoctoral Fellowship in Visual Culture, Performance Studies, and Critical Humanities
This fellowship honors the scholar, curator, and art critic Okwui Enwezor, supporting emerging scholars in visual and performance studies and their intersections with art history and critical humanities.
Eligibility: Scholars who earned their Ph.D. within the last five years prior to assuming the fellowship.
Duration: Two-year residency (September 2027 – June 2029)
Fatema Mernissi Postdoctoral Fellowship in Social and Cultural Studies
Named for the Moroccan scholar Fatema Mernissi, this fellowship supports work in gender, feminism, sociopolitical change, and Islam as they intersect with African and African diaspora studies.
Eligibility: Emerging scholars who earned their Ph.D. within the last five years prior to assuming the fellowship.
Duration: Two-year residency (September 2027 – June 2029)
Residency Location and Timeline
All fellowships are based in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Fellows are expected to arrive in mid-August 2027 to finalize residency and housing arrangements.
- Senior Fellowships: September 2027 – June 2028
- Postdoctoral Fellowships: September 2027 – June 2029
Application Requirements
Required Documents
- Abstract (up to 300 words) outlining the proposed research project
- Project statement (1,000–2,000 words) detailing research objectives, approach, and importance
- Optional one-page bibliography of key sources
- Two writing samples (published and/or unpublished)
- Letter of interest
- Curriculum vitae
- Contact details for three referees (the Institute solicits letters directly)
Technical Specifications
- All materials uploaded through the online application portal
- Individual file sizes must not exceed 3 MB
- Email submissions will not be considered
- Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered
Key Dates for 2027 Fellowships
| Open Call Launch | July 6, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | September 30, 2026 (11:59 PM GST) |
| Review and Shortlisting | October 2026 |
| Interviews | Mid-November 2026 |
| Offer Notifications | By mid-December 2026 |
| Arrival in Sharjah | Mid-August 2027 |
| Program Start | September 2027 |
Note: This timeline is indicative and subject to change at the discretion of The Africa Institute.
Selection Process
The faculty of Global Studies University reviews all applications. Recipients are selected based on:
- Quality of the research proposal
- Applicant’s demonstrated capacity to complete the project
How to Apply
- Visit the online application portal at the official Africa Institute website
- Create an account as a new applicant or continue an existing application
- Complete all required fields and upload documents (maximum 3 MB per file)
- Submit before the deadline: September 30, 2026, 11:59 PM GST
- Monitor application status through the portal throughout the review process
For technical assistance, email: applications@theafricainstitute.org
Practical Information for African Applicants
The Africa Institute provides resources for fellows relocating to Sharjah. Applicants should explore the “Living in Sharjah” section and download the curated Sharjah Guide developed by Global Studies University for new visitors and residents in the UAE.
For scholars from Zimbabwe and the SADC region, this represents a significant opportunity to engage with global African studies networks while based in a major cultural hub of the Middle East. The Institute’s focus on African diaspora studies creates natural connections for scholars examining historical and contemporary linkages between Africa and the Arab world.