About this opportunity
African Studies is one of the few fields where a German university runs a research community built around the continent's own scholars. The Bayreuth Academy of Advanced African Studies, part of the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bayreuth, has opened applications for fifteen Individual Fellowships in the 2027/2028 academic year.
The fellowships are funded research residencies of one to five months. Fellows work on a project that matters to the Cluster's theoretical and thematic agendas while living inside a community that spans more than fifteen academic disciplines, with regular Thursday afternoon lectures, seminars and discussion groups.
The call is open to scholars worldwide who hold a PhD and have a proven track record in African Studies, from any discipline in the humanities and the social, technical and natural sciences. Africa based scholars are particularly encouraged to apply, which makes this a realistic route for researchers working out of Nigeria and elsewhere on the continent.
Benefits and support
One of fifteen Individual Fellowships at the Bayreuth Academy of Advanced African Studies.
A monthly living allowance of 2500 EUR for fellows who receive no remuneration from their home institution, or 1000 EUR for fellows on salaried leave without replacement. Where a fellow continues to be paid at home, the fellowship may instead fund a teaching buyout, with an upper limit of 7000 EUR per month.
Travel costs to and from Bayreuth reimbursed against receipts, plus a mobility allowance of 750 EUR per month, with an extra 250 EUR per month for each accompanying minor child.
Membership status in the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence for the duration of the fellowship, workspace in the new African Studies research building, and access to the Cluster's library holdings.
Eligibility
Scholars with a PhD and a proven track record in African Studies, from any discipline in the humanities and the social, technical and natural sciences.
Junior and senior scholars, including professors, postdoctoral researchers and doctoral students.
Africa based scholars are particularly encouraged to apply.
Eligibility
The minimum qualification is a doctoral degree.
Residence at the University of Bayreuth is mandatory during the fellowship period.
The fellowship may last from one to five months between 1 October 2027 and 29 February 2028, or from one to four months between 1 April and 31 July 2028, with the exact duration set by the applicant's suggestion and availability in agreement with the academic hosts.
Documents to prepare
A complete list of academic publications, uploaded as one PDF file.
A curriculum vitae, uploaded as one PDF file.
A letter of motivation of maximum 3,500 characters, roughly 500 to 600 words, indicating the envisaged period of the fellowship.
An outline of maximum 6,500 characters, roughly 1,000 to 1,100 words, of the research project proposed for the fellowship.
A brief statement of maximum 3,500 characters sketching the contribution to the Cluster's research agenda or to one or several Research Sections, including the names of the Bayreuth based scholars with whom collaboration is intended.
A brief statement of maximum 2,000 characters, roughly 300 to 350 words, explaining how gender and diversity aspects feature in the project.
Names and contact details of two referees.
Application steps
Begin by reading the information on the Cluster's theoretical and thematic agendas at https://www.africamultiple.uni-bayreuth.de/en/1_2-Research/Research-Agenda/index.html.
Open the online application form at https://forms.uni-bayreuth.de/formcycle/form/provide/12154/ and follow the instructions for applicants.
Fill in the general academic profile fields, then upload the publication list and curriculum vitae as separate PDF files.
Add the motivation letter, the project outline, the contribution statement, the gender and diversity statement, and the details of two referees.
Submit before 5 October 2026 at 23:59 Central European Summer Time. The form allows applicants to save their data and finish later.
Selection process
Proposals must show commitment to the Cluster's aims and objectives and set out the intended contribution to the overarching research agenda or to one of the six Research Sections, which are Accumulation, Digitalities, Ecologies, In/securities, Re:membering and Translating. Collaboration with individual Cluster members is welcomed, and proposals that advance work on world making and the relational co constitution of worlds are also welcome.
Because the fellowship programme forms part of the Cluster's publication strategy, applicants should place special emphasis on publications resulting from the project. Fellows present a 45 minute talk on their research within the Academy, take part in Cluster events, record a podcast with their host, and submit at least one publication on the fellowship project during or after the tenure.
Applicants are informed of the selection decision by the end of December 2026.
Application timeline
5 October 2026 at 23:59 Central European Summer Time.
Important Notes
The call page states the same closing moment twice, once as 23:59 CEST in the section for applicants and once as 23:59 CET in the instructions for applicants. The date and hour are identical, so treat 5 October 2026 at 23:59 in Bayreuth local time as the cut off.
Questions about the call go to Robert Debusmann, coordinator of the Bayreuth Academy, at robert.debusmann@uni-bayreuth.de.
What you receive
- One of fifteen Individual Fellowships at the Bayreuth Academy of Advanced African Studies
- A funded residence of one to five months between 1 October 2027 and 29 February 2028, or one to four months between 1 April and 31 July 2028
- A monthly living allowance, travel cost reimbursement and a monthly mobility allowance, with an increased allowance for fellows travelling with minor children
- Membership status in the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence for the duration of the fellowship
- Workspace in the new African Studies research building and access to the Cluster's African Studies library holdings
- A community spanning more than fifteen academic disciplines, with Thursday afternoon lectures, seminars, discussion groups and social events
Who can apply
- Scholars with a PhD and a proven track record in African Studies
- Any discipline is welcome across the humanities and the social, technical and natural sciences
- Africa based scholars are particularly encouraged to apply
- Residence at the University of Bayreuth is mandatory during the fellowship period
Who should not apply
- A doctoral degree is the minimum qualification, so applicants without a PhD cannot apply
- Fellows must be in residence in Bayreuth, so the fellowship cannot be carried out remotely
Documents to prepare
- A complete list of academic publications, uploaded as one PDF file
- A curriculum vitae, uploaded as one PDF file
- A letter of motivation of maximum 3,500 characters, roughly 500 to 600 words, stating the envisaged period of the fellowship
- A research project outline of maximum 6,500 characters, roughly 1,000 to 1,100 words
- A brief statement of maximum 3,500 characters on the contribution to the Cluster research agenda or to one or several Research Sections, naming the Bayreuth based scholar or scholars with whom collaboration is intended
- A brief statement of maximum 2,000 characters explaining how gender and diversity aspects feature in the project
- Names and contact details of two referees
How to apply
- Read the information on the Cluster's theoretical and thematic agendas at https://www.africamultiple.uni-bayreuth.de/en/1_2-Research/Research-Agenda/index.html
- Open the online application form at https://forms.uni-bayreuth.de/formcycle/form/provide/12154/ and follow the instructions for applicants
- Complete the general academic profile fields and upload the publication list and curriculum vitae as separate PDF files
- Write the motivation letter, project outline, contribution statement and gender and diversity statement within the stated character limits, and add the names and contact details of two referees
- Submit before 5 October 2026 at 23:59 Central European Summer Time. The form allows applicants to save their data and complete it later.
Selection process
- All proposals must demonstrate commitment to the Cluster's aims and objectives and detail the proposed contribution to the overarching research agenda or to one of the six Research Sections: Accumulation, Digitalities, Ecologies, In/securities, Re:membering and Translating
- Because the fellowship programme is part of the Cluster's publication strategy, applicants should place special emphasis on publications resulting from the project
- Fellows present a 45 minute talk on their research within the Academy, take part in Cluster events, record a podcast with their host, and submit at least one publication on the fellowship project during or after the fellowship
- Applicants are informed of the selection decision by the end of December 2026
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
How long can the fellowship last?
Between one and five months. Candidates choose between the winter term, with up to five months between 1 October 2027 and 29 February 2028, and the summer term, with up to four months between 1 April and 31 July 2028. The exact duration is agreed with the academic hosts.
Is there a fee to apply?
No. Applications are made through the University of Bayreuth online form at no cost.
Who answers questions about the call?
Robert Debusmann, the coordinator of the Bayreuth Academy, can be reached at robert.debusmann@uni-bayreuth.de.
Important disclaimer
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