Bourse de recherche RWI Afghanistan 2027 – 25 octobre 2026

Contexte

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) Afghanistan Fellowship 2027 invites applications from Afghan scholars, researchers and human rights professionals to conduct research on critical human rights and gender equality issues affecting Afghanistan. The programme offers six fellowship positions for qualified Afghan nationals currently residing outside Afghanistan, supporting their continued professional development and contributions to human rights research and policy discussions.

The fellowship will run from February 2027 to December 2028. Successful applicants will receive academic mentorship, access to research resources and opportunities to contribute to international discussions on the human rights situation in Afghanistan. Applicants can expect to receive selection notifications in January 2027.

About the Raoul Wallenberg Institute: The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law is an independent academic institution working to advance understanding and respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. Its activities combine interdisciplinary research, education, institutional support and public outreach.

RWI operates in more than 40 countries and maintains offices in Lund, Harare, Jakarta, Kyiv, Nairobi, Phnom Penh and Yerevan. Through its Afghanistan programme, the institute supports Afghan scholars and professionals seeking to continue human rights research and advocacy despite the challenging circumstances following August 2021.

The programme also promotes the development and publication of quality research and encourages dialogue on human rights and gender equality. RWI collaborates with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, who has served as a visiting professor at the institute since September 2022.

Missions et responsabilités

The RWI Afghanistan Fellowship aims to strengthen the evidence base on human rights in Afghanistan and inform public debate, policymaking and international engagement.

Selected fellows will develop individual research projects under the academic mentorship of RWI’s Director of Research and Education and the direction of Visiting Professor Richard Bennett. Their work is expected to contribute to the research agenda of the UN Special Rapporteur.

Fellows will be expected to:

• Conduct independent research on relevant human rights and gender equality issues in Afghanistan.
• Produce high-quality research outputs that deepen understanding of human rights challenges, obstacles and emerging practices.
• Support the research activities of the UN Special Rapporteur, as agreed.
• Participate in and help organise academic roundtables, seminars and policy discussions.
• Contribute to raising awareness of human rights concerns in Afghanistan.
• Inform international discussions, including engagements with the UN Human Rights Council.

Research Themes for the 2027 Fellowship: Applicants are encouraged to develop research proposals examining how Afghan society and daily life have changed under Taliban rule and what these developments mean for the protection and realisation of human rights.

Priority research areas include:

• Women and girls’ rights.
• Minority rights.
• Environmental issues and climate change.
• Transitional justice and accountability.
• Displacement and related human rights concerns.
• Education, particularly madrasa education.
• Cultural rights and sport.

Applicants may propose other relevant topics. However, RWI recommends focusing on a clearly defined research question, case study, institution or discourse that can be investigated rigorously within the fellowship’s research period.

Proposals should ideally incorporate intersectional and context-sensitive analysis and draw on empirical evidence or field-based insights where possible.

Profil recherché

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be an Afghan national.
• Hold an advanced degree in human rights or a related field.
• Have extensive academic and/or practical experience in human rights.
• Demonstrate professional oral and written English proficiency.
• Be proficient in at least one Afghan national language.
• Be available to work full-time on the research project and associated fellowship responsibilities.

Important: The fellowship is exclusively open to Afghan scholars and experts currently residing outside Afghanistan. Applications from individuals living inside Afghanistan cannot be considered because of RWI’s safety regulations.

RWI also encourages diversity in gender, ethnicity and professional background. Complementarity between the selected fellows’ research areas may influence the final selection.

Conditions et avantages

The fellowship will run from February 2027 to December 2028, according to the published call.

Two participation arrangements are available:

• On-site fellowship: Fellows may work at RWI’s office in Lund, Sweden. Applicants choosing this arrangement must already have, or be able to obtain, the necessary Swedish work permit.
• Hybrid fellowship: Fellows may work remotely while undertaking visits to Lund. RWI recommends spending at least three months in Lund under this arrangement. A Swedish work permit is not required for the hybrid option, according to the announcement.

Both arrangements provide access to RWI library resources, academic seminars, policy forums, research mentorship and professional networks involving RWI and Lund University.

The published call does not specify a stipend amount or detailed financial benefits. Applicants should consult RWI’s official fellowship conditions for information about remuneration, travel, accommodation and other support.

Dossier de candidature

Applicants must submit the following materials:

• 1. Research concept note (800–1,500 words): The concept note should contain a clear research title, introduction and background, problem statement, relevance, research objectives, research questions, proposed methodology and expected outcomes. It should explain the significance of the proposed research, identify a manageable research problem and demonstrate how the findings could contribute to the fellowship’s objectives.
• 2. Personal statement (maximum 800 words): The statement should explain the applicant’s motivation for applying and demonstrate how their research interests, experience and expertise align with RWI’s Afghanistan programme.
• 3. Curriculum vitae (maximum three pages): The CV should highlight academic qualifications, relevant human rights experience, research achievements and other professional contributions. Optional: Applicants may include a list of publications and identify their most representative publication.

The application form also asks candidates to confirm their Afghan nationality, residence outside Afghanistan, academic qualifications, human rights experience and English proficiency.

Comment postuler

Interested candidates must submit their applications through the official RWI recruitment platform.

Applicants should prepare the required documents, ensure the concept note follows the recommended structure and provide concise, evidence-based answers to the application questions. Research proposals should demonstrate relevance, methodological rigour and a clear contribution to understanding human rights in Afghanistan.

The deadline for applications is 10 November 2026. Selection notifications are expected in January 2027.

For enquiries, applicants may contact Senior Programme Officer David Eile at [email protected] or Programme Associate Zoya Noori at [email protected].

How to Strengthen an Application: A competitive application should present a focused and feasible research project grounded in the realities of Afghanistan. Applicants should clearly explain the research gap, identify specific questions, justify their methodology and demonstrate how their findings could inform human rights analysis or policy discussions.

The personal statement should connect the applicant’s experience to the programme’s objectives, while the CV should provide clear evidence of relevant academic or professional achievements. Applicants should also consider the security and ethical implications of research involving vulnerable communities.

Official Application Website: Eligible Afghan researchers and human rights professionals should review the official RWI announcement and submit their applications through the recruitment platform before the deadline.