The Social Science Research Council offers fully funded fellowship to support the completion of doctoral degrees and to promote next generation social science research in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. The fellowships support dissertation research on peace, security, and development topics.

The program features a thematic focus on peace, security, and development in order to renew basic research agendas and strengthen interdisciplinary social science research capacity addressing these issues. The program encourages innovative research on thematic topics, moving the boundaries of scholarship as well as research by exploring concrete linkages between these themes.

Fully Funded Social Science Research Fellowship

The doctoral dissertation research fellowship supports 6-12 months of dissertation research costs of up to US$15,000. Fellows can take upon research topics related to peace, security, and development. This program also offers two workshops each year to help fellows to further develop and strengthen their research, engage key literature in their fields; embark on fieldwork-based research as well as develop their capacity for scholarly writing, including academic publications.

Eligibility for the Social Science Research Fellowship

Applicants eligible for the fully funded Social Science Research Fellowship must have a profile that fits the following requirements.

• citizens of any sub-Saharan African country
• enrolled as well as working towards a PhD in an accredited university; or affiliated to an institution in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda
• Also, have a fully developed doctoral dissertation research proposal approved by a graduate school/program

How to Apply for the Social Science Research Fellowship?

Fellows must submit their applications using the online application portal. Strong proposals will offer clear and concise descriptions of the project and its significance. Proposals should display a thorough knowledge of the relevant social science literature that applicants will engage in and the methodologies relevant to the project. In addition, applicants must demonstrate that all proposed activities are feasible and can be completed in a timely manner. Further, all proposals will be evaluated for these criteria by an independent, international committee of leading scholars from a range of social science and related disciplines.

Fellows must be willing to attend two workshops sponsored by the SSRC each year. The workshops aim to help early-career faculty engage in scholarly reflections, research, and writing. We anticipate awarding up to 45 fellowships in total across all categories each year.

Deadline

The Social Science Research Council accepts the application for the fully funded fellowship until January 10, 2020. Applications arriving after the deadline are not eligible for the scholarship.