The 2026 AFRIAK Call for Proposals has been officially announced by the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), inviting applications for the second cohort of the African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous and Alternative Knowledges (AFRIAK). This prestigious research fellowship programme is offered with the support of the Mastercard Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing education, skills development, and knowledge production among young people across Africa.
The AFRIAK fellowship is designed as an innovative research and training opportunity that seeks to nurture a new generation of African researchers—particularly young women—to design, conduct, and disseminate research grounded in Indigenous, local, and endogenous knowledge systems. Through structured mentorship and collaboration, fellows will work closely with academic mentors, Indigenous knowledge bearers, and intellectual hubs across the continent.
At the heart of the 2026 AFRIAK Call for Proposals is a deliberate effort to reposition African knowledge systems within global research and policy conversations. While Indigenous and local knowledge systems are deeply embedded in African communities and lived experiences, they remain largely marginalized due to the dominance of Western epistemologies in formal education and research structures. AFRIAK responds to this imbalance by privileging community-based knowledge and fostering meaningful engagement between young researchers and custodians of Indigenous knowledge.
The programme also acknowledges ongoing debates around the concept of “Indigenous knowledge,” particularly its colonial history and pejorative connotations. Drawing on the intellectual contributions of scholars such as Paulin Hountondji, AFRIAK critically engages these debates while reclaiming Indigenous knowledge as dynamic, evolving, and central to Africa’s development trajectories.
About CODESRIA and the AFRIAK Fellowship Programme
CODESRIA is one of Africa’s leading pan-African research organizations, dedicated to promoting social science research, independent thinking, and knowledge production on the continent. Through the AFRIAK fellowship, CODESRIA aims to support research that generates contextually rich, usable, and policy-relevant data rooted in African realities.
The AFRIAK programme is premised on the conviction that equipping young Africans with the skills to produce and apply Indigenous and alternative knowledges will contribute to:
-
Evidence-based policy interventions
-
Sustainable and dignified livelihoods for young people
-
Inclusive development pathways for Indigenous and local communities
Programme Activities Under the 2026 AFRIAK Call for Proposals
The AFRIAK research and fellowship programme consists of three interconnected activities:
-
Research, Training, and Mentorship Fellowship Programme
Fellows engage in structured research projects supported by academic mentors, Indigenous knowledge bearers, and intellectual hubs. -
Policy Convenings
These forums provide spaces for dialogue between researchers, policymakers, activists, and practitioners to translate knowledge into action. -
Alumni Network and Community of Practice
After completing the fellowship, participants join an ongoing community of practice focused on Indigenous and alternative knowledge systems.
Expected Outcomes of the AFRIAK Fellowship
The 2026 AFRIAK Call for Proposals is designed to achieve the following outcomes:
-
Creation of inclusive research spaces for young African researchers, particularly young women
-
Reduction of isolation and silos in Indigenous knowledge production
-
Capacity building for historically and culturally marginalized groups, including refugees, persons with disabilities, and youth from underserved communities
-
Translation of Indigenous knowledge into practical applications across sectors such as:
-
Creative industries
-
Digital systems
-
Education and curriculum development
-
Climate and environmental sustainability
-
Agriculture and agri-food systems
-
Human, plant, and animal health
-
-
Development of a critical mass of young women researchers applying Indigenous knowledge, including through emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI)
Research Areas for the 2026 AFRIAK Call for Proposals
Applicants must align their proposals with one or more of the following research themes:
-
Indigenous knowledge (IK) and methods of knowing
-
Indigenous medical science and practices
-
IK and the creative sector
-
IK and systems of entrepreneurship
-
Agriculture and agri-foods systems
-
Mobilizing digital systems for IK in Africa
-
Indigenous pedagogies and curriculum development
-
IK in social capital development
-
Indigenous technologies and sustainable development
-
IK, climate change, and ecological sustainability
-
IK heritage in nutrition
-
Indigenous languages and science
-
IK, religion, and spirituality science
-
IK, governance systems, and state-building
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply for the 2026 AFRIAK Fellowship
The 2026 AFRIAK Call for Proposals targets young African nationals who meet the following eligibility requirements:
General Eligibility
-
Must be 35 years old or below at the time of application
-
Must be a citizen of an African country
-
Must reside on the African continent
-
Must be engaged in, or aspire to engage in, research and knowledge production grounded in Indigenous or local knowledge systems
Institutional Affiliation
Applicants should be based in:
-
Formal research institutions
-
Universities or academic institutions
-
Indigenous knowledge research centres in Africa
Practitioners
Practitioners aged 35 and below with formal education qualifications and active engagement in Indigenous or local knowledge applications are also eligible to apply.
Gender and Inclusion
-
Up to 70% of selected fellows will be young women
-
CODESRIA strongly encourages applications from persons with disabilities
-
Safeguarding and accommodation measures are in place to ensure inclusive participation
Structure and Duration of the AFRIAK Fellowship
The AFRIAK fellowship has a total duration of seven months and includes the following components:
-
Induction workshop
-
Fieldwork
-
Residency at an intellectual hub
-
Virtual mid-term institute
-
Dissemination activities
-
Post-fellowship alumni engagements
One of the seven months will be spent at an intellectual hub located in a country other than the fellow’s country of citizenship. Fellows will work in teams and receive mentorship from academic experts, Indigenous knowledge bearers, and CODESRIA-identified intellectual hubs.
Application Modalities: Individual and Group Applications
Individual Applications
Individual applicants must submit the following through the application system:
-
Curriculum Vitae details
-
Structured concept note, covering:
-
Research topic
-
Relevant body of knowledge
-
Methodology
-
Expected outcomes
-
-
Two signed reference letters (one page each) from referees familiar with the applicant’s work
Group Applications
Group applications must consist of three to five members, with at least 70% women. All group members must meet the eligibility criteria.
Group submissions require:
-
CV details for all members
-
One joint structured concept note
-
Two signed reference letters endorsing the group as a whole
Failure of any group member to meet eligibility requirements will result in disqualification of the entire group.
How to Apply for the 2026 AFRIAK Call for Proposals
All applications must be submitted online through the official CODESRIA portal reserved for this fellowship.
-
Only applications submitted via the designated portal will be considered
-
Only successful applicants will be notified
-
Queries should be sent to afriak@codesria.org
Important Dates and Application Deadline
-
Application Deadline: 15 February 2026
-
Closing Time: 23:59 GMT
Late applications will not be accepted.
The 2026 AFRIAK Call for Proposals by CODESRIA presents a unique, fully supported opportunity for young Africans to engage deeply with Indigenous and alternative knowledge systems through structured research, mentorship, and policy engagement. By centering African epistemologies and fostering inclusive participation, the AFRIAK fellowship aims to transform knowledge into action while supporting sustainable livelihoods and development across the continent.
For young researchers and practitioners committed to reclaiming and applying Indigenous knowledge in Africa, the AFRIAK fellowship programme offers a powerful platform for impact, collaboration, and intellectual growth.