FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship 2026/2027 for African Researchers

Application Deadline: September 12, 2025 (13:00 CET)

Are you a seasoned researcher from Africa with a strong academic track record and a passion for sustainable governance? The Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) is now accepting applications for the prestigious 2026/2027 FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship Programme. This is a unique opportunity for scholars based in African institutions to engage in cutting-edge research within the vibrant academic community of the University of Freiburg, Germany.

What is the FRIAS Sustainable Governance Fellowship?

The FRIAS Sustainable Governance Fellowship is designed for experienced researchers in the Humanities and Social Sciences who focus on issues related to sustainable governance. The fellowship aims to foster international academic exchange, collaborative innovation, and groundbreaking research on some of the most pressing challenges of our time—from climate policy and democratic governance to social equity and institutional reform.

Successful applicants will join a distinguished network of global scholars and gain access to state-of-the-art facilities, interdisciplinary dialogues, and collaborative opportunities at one of Germany’s top research institutions.

Who Can Apply?

This prestigious fellowship is open to researchers of any nationality currently based at an African institution. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Hold a completed doctoral degree and have at least eight years of post-doctoral research experience.

Have published a minimum of five peer-reviewed papers since January 1, 2016, including at least one co-authored work.

Possess research or study experience (minimum six months) in a country different from where they earned their first academic degree.

Have earned a Master’s or PhD in an African country.

Submit a research proposal that aligns with the theme of sustainable governance within the disciplines of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Present a Letter of Cooperation from a University of Freiburg professor who will serve as a project collaborator.

Fellowship Duration and Benefits

Fellowships are available for a 6-month period between September 1, 2026, and August 31, 2027. Selected fellows will receive:

A fellowship contract or equivalent financial support, depending on their current employment status (details outlined in the official application manual).

Research cost contribution, mobility allowance, and round-trip travel reimbursement.

Full integration into the interdisciplinary academic environment at FRIAS.

An opportunity to pursue independent, high-impact research while fostering collaboration across fields.

Note: Full-time presence in Freiburg is required during the fellowship period to promote active academic exchange.

Application Requirements

All interested candidates must submit their application via the FRIAS online portal by 13:00 CET on September 12, 2025. A complete application includes:

Online form with candidate details, project abstract, layman’s summary, motivation statement, and ethics table.

A detailed research proposal (max. 3,000 words).

CV in the mandatory FRIAS template (available on the portal).

A publication list (max. 8 items, with at least 5 peer-reviewed after Jan 1, 2016).

A copy of the PhD certificate.

A Letter of Cooperation from a professor at the University of Freiburg.

Why Apply?

This fellowship offers much more than just funding—it’s a gateway to global academic recognition, cross-continental research collaboration, and career advancement in the field of sustainable governance. For African researchers seeking to amplify their impact, this is a powerful platform to contribute meaningfully to solutions that matter.

How to Apply

For full details, application guidelines, and to access the online portal, visit the official programme page:

🔗 FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship Official Webpage

Tags: Africa Research Fellowship, FRIAS Fellowship 2026, Sustainable Governance, Academic Fellowship Germany, Senior Fellowship for African Scholars, Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies, Humanities and Social Sciences Fellowship, Postdoctoral Research Opportunities