Applications are open for Harvard University Center for African Studies Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program. Basically, the Center for African Studies Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program is aimed at providing opportunities for postdoctoral candidates to conduct independent research, publish, and increase knowledge in their fields of study that will be beneficial to the African continent and to prepare them to be successful in their chosen career paths. The Harvard Center for African Studies Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program will support the development of a research project at selected Harvard University schools, departments, or laboratories in the field of their choice.

Position Responsibilities

Under the terms of appointment, fellows will be required to assume the following responsibilities

• Assume primary responsibility for the development of their research and career, in consult with their faculty mentors and other collaborators.
• Play an active role in seeking career and research advice; both from the faculty mentors and from other faculty members as appropriate.
• Submit a report describing all work carried out at Harvard University and home institution during the research period. The report must be submitted two weeks prior to the end of their fellowship.
• Make mention in any publication, presentation, or interview of their status as a CAS fellow as well as those published or carried out as a result of their fellowship.
• Notify CAS of any grant, scholarship, or funding obtained from any public or private organization for the same or a different research project.
• Fellows should ensure funds are utilized for purposes as defined in the fellowship. Any expenditure outside of the stipulated use will not be accepted. Also, fellows should notify CAS of any periods of travel or absence during their fellowship.
• Furthermore, presentation of research at CAS fellow’s colloquium at the end of the fellowship.

Benefits

The Harvard Center for African Studies Postdoctoral Research Fellowship offers 18-month postdoctoral fellowships with 12 months spent at scholars’ home institution and six months spent in stipend-supported residency at Harvard University. Please consult the list of eligible institutions and eligibility requirements before applying.

Eligible Universities

• Egypt | Cairo University
• Ethiopia | University of Addis Ababa
• Ghana | University of Ghana
• Kenya | University of Nairobi
• Nigeria | Ahmadu Bello University
• Nigeria | University of Ibadan
• Rwanda | University of Rwanda
• Senegal | Cheikh Anta Diop University
• Sierra Leone | University of Sierra Leone
• South Africa | University of the Witwatersrand
• South Africa | University of Johannesburg
• Tanzania | University of Dar es Salaam
• Uganda | Makerere University

Requirements

• A PhD or equivalent doctoral-level research degree (preference will be given to those who completed PhD in past five years) in any discipline with strategic interest to the African continent and must hold a paid academic appointment at one of the eligible institutions.
• Applicants who have not yet formally received their degree must present evidence of having completed the academic requirements before commencing the Fellowship.
• Applicants must identify a Harvard faculty mentor to support research and scholarly work; additionally, they should identify a second mentor at their home institution. Both mentors are required to submit letters of recommendation during the application process.
• English language proficiency.
• Must have support from their home institutions to pursue an 18-month fellowship appointment, six months of which will be spent in a stipend-supported residency in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
• An academic appointment at one of the listed eligible universities or include a letter from the institution that such an appointment is forthcoming during the fellowship period

Applicants must register to access the application: Access the Registration here