The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) invites applications for the second cohort of the African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous and Alternative Knowledges (AFRIAK) 2026. This transformative program, supported by the Mastercard Foundation, creates unprecedented opportunities for young Africans to explore, document, and apply knowledge systems rooted in their communities.
Program Vision and Philosophy
AFRIAK addresses a critical gap in African research and education: the marginalization of local, indigenous, and endogenous knowledge systems. While Western educational formats dominate curricula across African schools and universities, valuable knowledge embedded within communities remains largely inaccessible to younger generations.
Redefining Indigenous Knowledge
The program confronts the contested nature of “indigenous” terminology head-on. Historically carrying colonial and pejorative connotations that framed local knowledge as primitive or uncivilized, AFRIAK reclaims this concept. Drawing on scholarly work by philosophers like Paulin Hountondji, the fellowship reframes indigenous knowledge as organic to society, dynamic, evolving, and deeply valuable.
AFRIAK uses “indigenous knowledge” to reference what exists within communities: the wisdom, practices, systems, and innovations developed through lived experience. This knowledge isn’t static or isolated but continuously interacts with and enriches other knowledge systems.
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The Innovation at AFRIAK’s Core
This fellowship pioneers an innovative training approach that brings together three key actors:
- Young researchers (the fellows) seeking to document and understand community knowledge
- Academic mentors providing scholarly guidance and methodological support
- Knowledge bearers from communities who preserve and practice indigenous wisdom
This triangular partnership breaks down traditional hierarchies and silos in knowledge production, creating collaborative research environments where different expertise types complement each other.
Program Structure and Components
The seven-month fellowship integrates multiple learning and research modalities:
Induction Workshop
Fellows begin with a comprehensive orientation covering research methodologies, ethical considerations when working with communities, and collaborative approaches to knowledge documentation.
Fieldwork Period
Extended time conducting primary research within communities, engaging directly with knowledge bearers, practitioners, and community members. This immersive experience forms the fellowship’s foundation.
Intellectual Hub Residency
One month spent at a designated intellectual hub in a country different from the fellow’s citizenship. This cross-border experience exposes participants to diverse knowledge systems and research approaches across the continent.
Virtual Mid-Term Institute
Online convening where fellows share progress, receive feedback, address challenges, and learn from each other’s experiences across different research contexts.
Dissemination Activities
Opportunities to present findings through various channels, ensuring research reaches relevant audiences including policymakers, academics, practitioners, and communities themselves.
Alumni Network Engagement
Post-fellowship inclusion in a growing community of practice focused on indigenous and alternative knowledge systems, providing ongoing collaboration and support.
Research Themes and Focus Areas
Proposals should address one or more of the fourteen priority themes:
Knowledge Systems and Epistemology
- Indigenous methods of knowing and knowledge validation
- Indigenous languages and scientific expression
- Spirituality, religion, and indigenous science
Health and Wellbeing
- Indigenous medical systems and healing practices
- Traditional approaches to human, plant, and animal health
- Nutritional heritage and food systems
Economic and Entrepreneurial Systems
- Indigenous entrepreneurship models and business practices
- Agriculture and agri-food system innovations
- Creative sector applications of traditional knowledge
Technology and Innovation
- Indigenous technologies supporting sustainable development
- Digital systems for mobilizing and preserving indigenous knowledge
- AI applications for indigenous knowledge documentation
Education and Pedagogy
- Indigenous teaching methodologies and learning approaches
- Curriculum development incorporating local knowledge
- Intergenerational knowledge transmission
Governance and Social Systems
- Indigenous governance structures and decision-making processes
- Traditional systems of social capital development
- State-building informed by local governance models
Environmental Sustainability
- Climate change responses rooted in traditional ecological knowledge
- Sustainable resource management practices
- Environmental conservation through indigenous frameworks
Expected Outcomes and Impact
The fellowship aims to achieve transformative results across multiple dimensions:
Individual Researcher Development
Equip young Africans, especially women, with capabilities to design research projects, engage communities ethically, and produce contextually relevant knowledge that addresses real needs.
Knowledge System Integration
Break down barriers separating indigenous knowledge bearers from academic researchers, creating collaborative networks that value different expertise types equally.
Inclusive Capacity Building
Expand research opportunities for historically marginalized groups including young women, persons with disabilities, refugees, and youth from rural or underserved regions.
Practical Application
Transform documented knowledge into actionable strategies supporting dignified livelihoods across sectors including creative industries, digital technologies, agriculture, health, education, and environmental management.
Gender Equity in Research
Build a critical mass of young women researchers engaging with indigenous knowledge, ensuring future generations benefit from diverse perspectives and leadership.
Policy Influence
Generate data and insights informing policy interventions that support sustainable livelihoods for youth and communities while respecting and preserving cultural knowledge.
Eligibility Requirements
Age and Nationality
- African nationals aged 35 years or younger at application time
- Currently residing on the African continent
Professional Background
Option 1 – Researchers: Individuals engaged in research and knowledge production activities connected to indigenous or local knowledge perspectives, based in formal research institutions, universities, or indigenous knowledge centers across Africa.
Option 2 – Practitioners: Professionals aged 35 or below with formal educational qualifications, actively working in fields applying indigenous or local knowledge perspectives.
Commitment to Inclusion
CODESRIA strongly encourages applications from persons with disabilities and has implemented accommodations to support diverse participants. At least 70% of selected fellows will be young women, reflecting the program’s commitment to gender equity.
Application Options and Requirements
Individual Applications
Solo applicants must provide:
Curriculum Vitae Information: Comprehensive biographical and professional details demonstrating relevant background and experience.
Structured Concept Note: Detailed proposal identifying research topic, reviewing existing knowledge on the subject, outlining methodology, and describing expected outcomes.
Two Reference Letters: Signed endorsements (one page each) from referees familiar with the applicant’s work. These letters significantly influence selection decisions.
Group Applications
Teams of 3-5 members may apply collectively, with at least 70% women members. All team members must meet individual eligibility criteria; failure by any member disqualifies the entire group.
Group submissions require:
Complete CV Information: Biographical and professional details for each team member.
Collaborative Concept Note: Unified research proposal demonstrating how the team will work together, with clear role distribution and collaborative methodology.
Two Group Reference Letters: Endorsements supporting the team as a collective entity rather than individual members.
Fellowship Benefits and Support
Academic Mentorship
Dedicated guidance from experienced researchers familiar with indigenous knowledge systems, providing methodological support and scholarly feedback throughout the research process.
Community Partnership
Direct connection with knowledge bearers who share their expertise, facilitate community access, and ensure research respects local protocols and ethics.
Intellectual Hub Access
One-month residency at premier research institutions across Africa, accessing libraries, archives, expert networks, and collaborative research environments.
Financial Support
Coverage of research costs, travel, accommodation during residencies, and other expenses associated with fellowship activities.
Network Building
Connection with fellow researchers across Africa working on similar themes, creating lasting professional relationships and collaboration opportunities.
Dissemination Platforms
Opportunities to share research findings through CODESRIA channels, policy convenings, and academic publications, ensuring work reaches relevant audiences.
Application Process and Timeline
Submission Method
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the CODESRIA online portal at: https://codesria.org/application-form-african-fellowships-for-research-in-indigenous-and-alternative-knowledges-2026/
Email submissions or applications through other channels will not be considered.
Application Deadline
February 15, 2026, at 23:59 GMT
Notification
Only successful applicants will receive notification. The selection process evaluates applications based on research quality, feasibility, potential impact, and alignment with program objectives.
Important Notes
- Reference letters carry significant weight in evaluation; choose referees carefully
- Concept notes should be clear, specific, and demonstrate understanding of indigenous knowledge approaches
- Group applications must show genuine collaboration rather than simply aggregated individual projects
Why This Fellowship Matters
African universities and research institutions have historically privileged knowledge systems imported from the West, often dismissing local wisdom as unscientific or outdated. This creates several problems:
Lost Knowledge: Valuable community wisdom risks disappearing as older knowledge bearers pass away without transmitting their expertise to younger generations.
Irrelevant Solutions: Development interventions designed without understanding local contexts frequently fail because they don’t account for existing community practices and knowledge.
Disempowered Communities: When local knowledge is devalued, communities lose confidence in their own capabilities and become dependent on external experts.
Gender Inequity: Traditional knowledge systems in many African societies are gerontocratic and male-dominated, excluding young women from accessing valuable community wisdom.
AFRIAK addresses these challenges by training young researchers, especially women, to engage respectfully with community knowledge, document it using rigorous methods, and apply it toward practical solutions that improve lives.
Strategic Alignment
This initiative advances the Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to education and skills development for African youth while supporting CODESRIA’s mission to strengthen social science research across the continent. By bridging academic research with community wisdom, the program creates pathways for young Africans to build careers while serving their communities.
Take Action
If you’re a young African researcher or practitioner passionate about exploring and applying indigenous knowledge systems, this fellowship offers unparalleled opportunities. Prepare your application carefully, clearly articulating your research vision and demonstrating your commitment to collaborative, community-engaged scholarship.
Applications close February 15, 2026.
For more information and questions, visit the African Fellowships for Indigenous Knowledge Research.
