FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship Bursary 2026 – Closing Date: 12 September 2025, Apply!
Hey there, incredible researchers and future leaders! Are you looking to elevate your academic career and make a real impact with your research? Then listen up, because the FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship Programme Bursary 2026 might just be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for!
This isn’t your typical student bursary; it’s a prestigious fellowship designed for experienced post-doctoral researchers from across Africa. Hosted by the renowned Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) in Germany, this programme offers a unique chance to dive deep into crucial topics related to sustainable governance within the Humanities and Social Sciences. Think of it as a supercharger for your research, providing access to top-notch resources, an inspiring academic community, and incredible networking opportunities at the University of Freiburg.
Who Can Apply?
FRIAS is looking for the brightest minds from African institutions to join their cutting-edge programme. Here’s a quick rundown of what they need:
- You must hold a completed doctoral degree AND have a minimum of eight years of post-doctoral experience.
- You need at least 5 peer-reviewed publications since January 1, 2016, with at least one where you are a co-author or the sole author.
- You must be based in an African country.
- You should have at least six months of research or study experience at academic institutions outside the country of your first academic degree, AND you must have received your Master’s or PhD in an African country.
- Your research project needs to be challenging, innovative, and of the highest academic quality, specifically focusing on sustainable governance within the Humanities and Social Sciences.
- Crucially, you’ll need a Letter of Cooperation from an academic partner (a professor) at the University of Freiburg who will support your project during your stay.
What Does It Cover?
This fellowship is designed to fully support your research journey. Here’s what you can expect:
- Successful candidates will receive a fellowship for 6 months, running anytime between September 1, 2026, and August 31, 2027.
- You’ll receive a fellowship contract with the University of Freiburg or similar compensation, depending on your situation (full details are in the application manual).
- The bursary includes a research cost contribution, a mobility allowance, and travel costs for both your inbound and outbound journeys.
- Get ready for an immersive experience! Full-time presence at FRIAS is mandatory, encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration and deep engagement with the academic community.
How to Apply?
Ready to take this exciting step? Applying for the FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship Bursary involves a few key steps. Make sure you get everything ready before the closing date: 12 September 2025 at 13:00 (CET).
First, you’ll need to fill out the online application form with all your personal and project details, including an abstract, a layman’s abstract (for a general audience!), a motivation statement, and an ethical issues table.
Then, you’ll need to upload the following essential documents to the application portal:
- Your Project Proposal: This is super important! It should be a maximum of 3000 words, including footnotes, headers, footers, and references, and can include up to 4 graphs.
- Your CV: Make sure to use their mandatory template available in the application portal.
- A comprehensive Publication List: This list should not exceed 8 publications in total. Remember, 5 of these must be peer-reviewed and published after January 1, 2016, including at least one with or as a co-author.
- A Copy of your PhD diploma.
- Your Letter of Cooperation from an academic partner (professor) at the University of Freiburg.
For even more detailed information and to access the application portal, head over to the official webpage. Good luck!
Visit the Official Webpage of the FRIAS Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship Programme
Download the FRIAS Sustainable Governance Fellowship Programme Application Manual (PDF)
If this sounds like the perfect next step for your research career, don’t hesitate! This is a highly competitive programme, so make sure your application shines. Apply now and don’t forget to explore more incredible bursaries and opportunities right here on Bursaries Room!
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