SSRC Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship 2027: Receive Up to US$8,000 | Apply Now

Overview

The Social Science Research Council presents the African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship for 2027. This initiative supports African doctoral researchers who are in the final stages of writing their PhD dissertations, focusing on topics related to peacebuilding, governance, security, and developmental dynamics. The programme aims to provide dedicated time for candidates to complete their research, defend their degrees, and contribute evidence-based findings to academic and policy discussions. Funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, the fellowship also promotes African scholarship, knowledge production, and professional networks.

Who can apply

Applicants must be African citizens and residents of an African country. Candidates must be enrolled in a PhD programme at an accredited university or affiliated with an institution located in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda. The opportunity prioritises individuals who hold faculty positions or demonstrate a sustained commitment to higher education in Africa.

What you get

Selected fellows receive a stipend of up to US$8,000 to support dissertation completion over a duration of 12 months, which helps them take time away from teaching and administrative responsibilities. In addition to financial support, participants must attend an APDD workshop held in July in an African country to strengthen their research chapters and prepare findings for publication. The programme also provides mentorship from senior scholars, peer learning opportunities, professional development, and a platform to share African perspectives through digital forums and social media.

Requirements

Candidates must be in the final year of doctoral dissertation writing and have completed at least two dissertation chapters. Applicants are required to submit an online application form accompanied by a research proposal and bibliography, a current curriculum vitae, a proposed research timeline, a proposed research budget, two references, and language evaluations where required.