40 Research Scholarships on Migration and Forced Displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa
SSIIM UNESCO Chair is pleased to share the Call for Research Scholarships under MAPS Project – an EU-funded initiative aimed at enhancing research and awareness on migration and forced displacement across Sub-Saharan Africa.
This opportunity is targeted at early-career researchers from 10 countries* across the region, interested in contributing to evidence-based policy and academic dialogue in the areas of voluntary and forced migration movements and socio-economic & spatial inclusion of migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and IDPs.
* (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda)
OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS
- Strengthen research capacity in migration and displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Support the collection of primary data to ground policy-making in evidence-based research
- Promote inclusive, impactful research with cross-border relevance
RESEARCH AREAS
Young researchers awarded scholarships will conduct research across four thematic areas:
Peace-Conflicts, borders, and human rights
People – Gender, age, disability, and vulnerability
Planet – Climate change and disaster-induced displacement
Prosperity – Socio-economic & spatial inclusion, health, housing, and education
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must:
- Be nationals or legal residents of one of the 10 concerned countries
- Be early-career researchers in relevant disciplines (e.g. Social Sciences, Public Health, Urban Planning, Law, etc.)
- Hold a Master’s degree (within the last 7 years) or a PhD (defended within the last 5 years)
- Be proficient in English (and French, if applying from Senegal or Guinea)
- Demonstrate academic interest and potential in migration/displacement topics
DURATION AND BENEFITS
- 40 scholarships (4 for each country*)
- Duration: 28 months, starting in July 2025
- Includes: monthly stipend, research costs (travel, data collection), laptop and participation in summer schools and capacity-building workshops
HOW TO APPLY
All applications must be submitted online via the official Google Forms. Scholarships will be directly managed by the 3 African universities participating to the project, as follows:
>>> KABALE University, Uganda > 13 Scholarship in total = 4 for Uganda, 4 for South Sudan, 4 for Senegal and 1 for Guinea
>>> UDOM, University of Dodoma, Tanzania > 14 Scholarship in total = 4 for Tanzania, 4 for South Africa, 4 for Burkina Faso, 2 for Guinea)
- download the call here
- Apply Here – UDOM University Application Form
>>>AMIU, Amref International University, Kenya > 13 Scholarship in total = 4 for Kenya, 4 for Ethiopia, 4 for Ivory Coast, 1 for Guinea
!!! Applications must be submitted in English only, DEADLINE: 25 MAY 2025
Applicants will be required to upload:
- Motivation Letter (max 1 page)
- Research Proposal
- Letter of Support from a university or research supervisor
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Evidence of identity and publications (if any)
