Requirements for Visiting PhD Fellowships Qualification

Financial software

• The scholarship option is open to PhD students from countries in Africa classified by the OECD/DAC as low and lower-middle-income countries whose studies – irrespective of sectoral discipline – focus on the relationship between innovation and economic, social or environmentally sustainable development. Female PhD students are particularly encouraged to apply as AfricaLics endeavours to contribute to increasing the currently low number of female scholars in Innovation and Development research studies in Africa.
• Likewise, PhD students from low-income countries are particularly encouraged to apply because AfricaLics endeavors to strengthen research capacity in Innovation and Development in low-income countries in Africa.
• Applicants must be enrolled as PhD students in a relevant programme at an African university and should preferably have completed their first year of PhD studies by December 2025.
• The final number of accepted visiting fellows will depend on the in-depth assessment of the quality and relevance of applications, funding available and possibilities to secure relevant mentors that matches the topics of PhD candidates applying for the fellowship.
• The visiting scholarship is complementary to the studies of the PhD students at their home universities, and applicants must already have secured basic funding for their PhD studies from other sources (e.g. African governments, other organisations, self-financing).

Student Requirements and Application Form

Applicants for the AfricaLics PhD visiting fellowship programme should:

• Be working actively on a subject relevant to innovation and development as defined above.
• Be enrolled as a PhD student at a university in Africa.
• Have preferably completed their first year of studies by December 2025
• Have a background (BSc, MSc etc.) in Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Science and Technology Policy, Geography, History or Development Studies. Applicants may also work within the STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) subjects or even manufacturing but from a social science perspective.
• Possess adequate skills in English (documentation may be requested).
• Submit a brief application of one page/500 words explaining their background, motivation for applying and expected outcomes of participation in the AfricaLics PhD visiting fellowship programme