2025 Megatrends Afrika Fellowships for Africans

The Megatrends Afrika project is awarding three post-doctoral fellowships to African researchers.

Megatrends Afrika is a cooperation between the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and the Kiel Insti-tute for the World Economy (IfW). The project conducts policy-relevant interdisciplinary research on Africa and provides policy advice to decision-makers. Its three core research themes are I) actors of violence and the changing nature of conflict, II) the effects of megatrends on democra-tization and autocratization, and III) global power shifts and multipolarity.

• Table of Content
• About Megatrends Afrika
• Megatrends Afrika Fellowships
• Aim and Benefits of Megatrends Afrika Fellowships
• Requirements for Megatrends Afrika Fellowships Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Megatrends Afrika Fellowships
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Megatrends Afrika

The conference focuses on recently published 'Megatrends in Africa Report' that has identified 6 megatrends: climate change, population growth, migration, urbanisation, demography process and technology development that Africa is facing. They can create opportunities but also set several challenges in the future.

Megatrends Afrika Fellowships

Aim and Benefits of Megatrends Afrika Fellowships

• A monthly grant of €2,800 for three months.
• Economy-class round-trip airfare between home country and Germany.
• Financial support for public transport, mobile phone credit, and other ancillary costs.
• Access to mentorship and resources at the host institution.
• Participation in project meetings and events.
• Visa support letter, if required.

Requirements for Megatrends Afrika Fellowships Qualification

African researchers who:

• Hold a Ph.D. in eligible fields.
• Have a strong research and publication record relevant to the Megatrends Afrika project.
• Demonstrate the ability to produce impactful, policy-relevant work.
• (Optional) Have experience in scientific policy advice.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Megatrends Afrika Fellowships

Selection is based on:

• The quality and relevance of the research proposal.
• Academic and publication records.
• The ability to contribute to policy-relevant work.
• Alignment with one of the 2025 research themes:
  1. Violent Actors and Transformation of Conflict
  2. Megatrends and Democratization vs. Autocratization
  3. Global Power Shifts and Multipolarity

Documents Required for Application

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file and include:

1. A 1-page letter of motivation.
2. An academic CV with a list of publications.
3. Two recent publication samples.
4. Copies of relevant academic transcripts and diplomas.
5. A concept note (max 2,000 words) detailing the proposed research project, its relevance, feasibility, and theoretical/methodological framework.

Check also:
Tony Elumelu Foundation African Entrepreneurship Programme 2026

Application Deadline

How to Apply

The deadline for fellowship applications is 15 January 2025, 11:59 p.m. CET.
Please send your application by email to Megatrends-Afrika@swp-berlin.org. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered.

For more details, visit Megatrends Afrika Fellowships website.