Call for Applications for the Master Thesis Award and Mobility Grant 2026

The 2026 Master Thesis Award

The Africa Program Thesis Award is being launched this year to promote emerging research at Sciences Po on Africa and its diasporas. It honors the exceptional efforts of young researchers who have defended a research thesis at the School of Research or as part of the Research Track at PSIA and the Urban School, on a topic related to the African continent.

Candidates are invited to submit their application materials including their Master’s thesis, a 200-word abstract, and a CV to africa.programme@sciencespo.fr by midnight on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The winners will be announced in early October 2026.

The Mobility grant for Master’s, Doctoral, and Postdoctoral Students

Sciences Po’s Africa Program is pleased to offer mobility grants to reimburse research expenses for Master’s and Ph.D. students enrolled at Sciences Po, as well as postdoctoral researchers who defended their dissertations at Sciences Po no more than 24 months ago and whose research focuses on Africa and/or diasporas. These reimbursements cover lodging and meal expenses, research costs, and transportation. These expenses must have been incurred between June 1, 2026, and September 15, 2026, and must not have been reimbursed by any other funding source, including the the School of Research's funding.

Applicants are invited to submit their application materials (one page describing the research project and reimbursement request, and one page detailing the budget - two pages maximum) to africa.programme@sciencespo.fr by midnight on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. An academic contribution (article, field report, interviews, etc.) will be featured on the Africa Program website. The winners will be announced in early October 2026.