The African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) programme of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) has opened applications for its 2027 Individual Research Fellowship (IRF). It supports African researchers and practitioners working on peacebuilding and development.
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The fellowship enables field-based research and writing that can inform policy and practice. The official portal gives January 15, 2027, as the application deadline.
What is APDD?
APDD promotes Africa-based peacebuilding research, connects research with policy and practice, amplifies African thought leadership, and builds scholarly partnerships across Africa and internationally. Since 2012, the programme reports more than 800 awards, over 300 institutions represented, more than 600 publications and participation across 33 African countries.
What do fellows gain?
The IRF supports early- to mid-career scholars and practitioners for up to nine months of field-based research and writing. Fellows can benefit from research methods and writing workshops, mentorship, networking with African and international scholars, and opportunities to share findings through seminars, conferences, panel discussions and publications.
APDD also offers fellowships for doctoral researchers. The Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Fellowship (DDPF) supports eligible candidates developing a PhD proposal. The Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowship (DDRF) supports fieldwork and writing for up to 12 months, while the Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship (DDCF) helps doctoral students focus on completing their dissertations. Each has separate eligibility rules and application details; the 2027 IRF portal should not be assumed to cover every category.
Who can apply?
The IRF is intended for eligible African citizens residing in Africa. Academic applicants need a PhD and a full-time faculty or research position at an African university or research organisation. Practitioners and policy analysts may qualify with a master’s degree and at least five years of relevant peacebuilding experience, subject to the detailed rules. Applicants should submit an individual proposal, not a team application.
The 2027 call lists up to nine fellowships worth a maximum of US$12,000 each. The programme runs from July 2027 to March 2028, comprising six months of field research and three months of analysis and writing. Fellows must attend workshops scheduled for July 2027 and January 2028.
How to apply
Apply through the official portal at https://ssrc.secure-platform.com/a/. Review the 2027 IRF eligibility criteria, application guide and document requirements before submitting. The deadline is January 15, 2027. Ensure your proposed research and qualifications meet the published requirements.
