L’essentiel de l’offre
- Poste : PhD Visiting Fellowship 2027
- Employeur : AfricaLics / University of Johannesburg
- Lieu : Johannesburg, Afrique du Sud
- Contrat : Bourse de recherche de 3 mois
- Date limite : 2 octobre 2026
- Niveau requis : Doctorat (PhD)
Contexte
The AfricaLics PhD Visiting Fellowship Programme (VFP) 2027 is now accepting applications from PhD students enrolled at African universities whose research focuses on Innovation and Development (I&D). Organised by the African Network for Economics of Learning, Innovation, and Competence Building Systems (AfricaLics), the fellowship offers a fully funded three-month research stay at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa, alongside year-long mentorship, academic training, and international networking opportunities.
Established in 2015 with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the programme has already supported more than 50 doctoral researchers from low- and lower-middle-income African countries. The 2027 cohort aims to strengthen the next generation of African scholars working at the intersection of innovation, technology, sustainability, industrial development, agriculture, energy, and social transformation.
The AfricaLics VFP is designed to strengthen the research capacity of African PhD students by providing exposure to leading international scholars, structured mentorship, advanced academic writing support, and participation in a vibrant continental research community.
The programme combines online learning with an intensive residential research period at the DSI-NRF Trilateral Research Chair in Transformative Innovation, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Sustainable Development (TRCTI) at the University of Johannesburg. Fellows will work closely with senior researchers from the AfricaLics and Globelics networks while advancing their doctoral dissertations.
The fellowship begins with online activities in February 2027, followed by the residential visit from 6 September to 3 December 2027, and concludes with additional online mentorship extending into early 2028.
Missions et responsabilités
During the residential period, fellows will focus on data analysis, article writing, dissertation chapters, research seminars, and collaborative engagement with scholars at UJ. Each participant will be matched with one or two mentors whose expertise aligns with their research topic. These mentors complement—but do not replace—the student’s official PhD supervisors.
Profil recherché
The fellowship is open to PhD students enrolled at African universities located in countries classified as low-income or lower-middle-income by the OECD/DAC.
Applicants must:
- Be enrolled in a PhD programme at an African university
- Have research focused on Innovation and Development
- Preferably have completed the first year of PhD studies by December 2026
- Demonstrate adequate English proficiency
- Have secured primary funding for their PhD studies from another source
Female PhD students and applicants from low-income African countries are particularly encouraged to apply as part of AfricaLics’ commitment to strengthening diversity within the Innovation and Development research community.
Priority research themes include:
- Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Measurement
- Global Value Chains, Innovation and Industrialisation
- Agricultural Innovation and Climate Resilience
- Sustainable Energy Transitions
- Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution
- Manufacturing and Work Organisation
- Health Innovation
- Gender and Inclusive Development
- Technology Policy and Sustainable Development
Applicants from economics, sociology, political science, geography, development studies, history, science and technology policy, engineering, manufacturing, and related disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Conditions et avantages
Selected fellows will receive comprehensive financial and academic support throughout the programme. The fellowship includes:
- Fully funded return economy airfare to Johannesburg
- Accommodation near the University of Johannesburg
- Monthly living stipend of approximately US$600
- Health and travel insurance during the fellowship period
- Mentorship from internationally recognised scholars
- Academic writing and systematic literature review courses
- Participation in paper presentation seminars and the AfricaLics PhD Academy
- Access to AfricaLics alumni activities, webinars, conferences, and research networks
AfricaLics also provides funding for the two face-to-face supervision meetings involving fellows, mentors, and home supervisors.
Dossier de candidature
Applicants must submit the online application together with the following supporting documents:
- One-page motivation (maximum 500 words)
- PhD project outline (maximum five pages)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of support from the main PhD supervisor
- Letter of support from the university administration
- Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates
- One writing sample (article or dissertation chapter)
Passport copies are not required during the application stage. Successful candidates will receive visa support after selection.
Comment postuler
Important Dates:
- Information Session (Zoom) : 17 September 2026
- Application Deadline : 2 October 2026
- Shortlisted Interviews : 27 & 30 November 2026
- Notification of Results : Mid-Dec 2026 / Early Jan 2027
- Fellowship Begins : Study Visit
Applications must be submitted through the official AfricaLics online application portal no later than 2 October 2026 (23:00 East Africa Time).
Global South Opportunities does not participate in the selection process. Applicants should submit all materials directly through the official AfricaLics application system.
