The African Studies journal is pleased to announce two exciting opportunities for PhD students in 2025. These grants are designed to support the academic journey of doctoral researchers in African studies and related fields. The two grants available are:
- Dr. Lindiwe Makhunga PhD Fieldwork Research Grant 2025
- PhD Support Grant
Both grants aim to foster high-quality research that contributes to the global conversation on African issues. This article will provide a detailed overview of the grants, eligibility criteria, application process, and important dates.
1. Dr. Lindiwe Makhunga PhD Fieldwork Research Grant 2025
The Dr. Lindiwe Makhunga PhD Fieldwork Research Grant is a prestigious opportunity valued at up to R150,000. This grant supports PhD students at Wits University, Johannesburg, South Africa, who are conducting fieldwork research that contributes to the advancement of scholarship in African studies.
About Dr. Lindiwe Makhunga
The grant is named in honor of the late Dr. Lindiwe Makhunga, who was a lecturer at Wits University in the Political Studies department. Dr. Makhunga’s research focused on gender and political behavior, and she conducted extensive fieldwork in Rwanda, South Africa, and Sierra Leone. She was committed to learning multiple African languages to enhance the authenticity of her work.
Program Details:
- Grant Amount: Up to R150,000
- Funding Duration: The funding must be used within two years of the award being granted.
- Coverage:
- Travel costs
- Accommodation costs
- Translation services
- Language courses
- Professional editing services
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to PhD students currently registered at Wits University, Johannesburg.
- Research should contribute to advancing scholarship in African studies and be aligned with the objectives of the African Studies journal.
- Both South African and international students are eligible.
- The research must aim to foster an interdisciplinary and global conversation about Africa.
2. PhD Support Grant
The PhD Support Grant is designed to assist PhD students at any stage of their doctoral research who require additional funding to continue or complete their studies.
Program Details:
- Grant Amount: R10,000 to R50,000
- Funding Duration: The grant can be used for various expenses related to fieldwork, registration, accommodation, living expenses, and other costs essential for completing a PhD.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to PhD students in the Humanities or Social Sciences fields, including Education, with an accepted proposal.
- Students must be enrolled at a South African university where an African Studies board member or editor is affiliated, including:
- University of the Witwatersrand
- University of Johannesburg
- University of Pretoria
- University of Cape Town
- University of Stellenbosch
- Other relevant universities
- African students from all countries are welcome to apply.
How to Apply:
For Dr. Lindiwe Makhunga PhD Fieldwork Research Grant 2025:
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- A detailed CV
- A covering letter outlining the proposed research, programme of work, and budget
- A copy of the accepted PhD proposal
- A copy of the Faculty proposal letter
- A detailed budget
- Names and contact details (including email addresses) of two referees
- Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the PhD supervisor
Apply for the Dr. Lindiwe Makhunga PhD Fieldwork Research Grant
For PhD Support Grant:
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- A brief CV (including degree details, university affiliation, and stage of work)
- A one-page letter detailing the nature of the work that needs funding
- A short budget outlining how the grant will be spent
- A letter of support from your PhD supervisor(s)
Apply for the PhD Support Grant
Important Dates:
- The application deadline for both grants will be: 31 Mar, 2025
- Please make sure to submit all required documents before the deadline.
These two funding opportunities provide essential support for PhD students conducting research related to African studies. Whether you are conducting fieldwork research or need assistance completing your doctoral studies, these grants offer valuable financial backing to help you achieve your academic goals.
We encourage all eligible students to apply for these prestigious grants and take advantage of the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of African scholarship. For more details, please visit the application links provided above.
Don’t miss out—apply and join the growing global conversation about Africa now!