SIANI African Scholarship Programme 2026. The purpose of the African Scholarship Programme is to provide opportunities for early career researchers based in Africa to work and develop their ongoing research at the Nordic Africa Institute. The scholarship offers access to the Institute’s library, hosting by the Institute’s researchers, networking opportunities and other resources that provide for a stimulating research environment.
Through the programme, the Nordic Africa Institute aims to contribute to building capacity in the production of knowledge about Africa, and to promote and establish relations with and between African and Nordic research communities.
The length of the SIANI African Scholarship Programme 2026
The duration of the stay is approximately 90 days (3 months). Also note that most academic institutions in the Nordic countries, including the Nordic Africa Institute, are closed or at least running at a reduced capacity during the periods 15 June–15 August and 15 December–15 January. Applicants can thus not choose these periods for their visit.
Financial support and other benefits
The scholarship package offered includes several key benefits designed to support Guest Researchers during their stay. It covers a return air-fare (economy class), ensuring that scholars can travel to and from Uppsala with ease. Additionally, the scholarship provides accommodation for the duration of the research period, allowing scholars to focus on their work without the burden of housing costs.
To further support daily expenses, recipients will receive a subsistence allowance of 400 SEK (approximately 40 USD) per day. This allowance is specifically designated to cover living costs and will only be provided for the days spent in Uppsala. Moreover, to assist with initial expenses upon arrival, scholars will be granted an installation grant of 2,500 SEK (approximately 250 USD).
In terms of research facilities, scholars will have access to a workspace in a shared office at the Institute, which includes a desk computer and other necessary resources to facilitate their work.
A major advantage of this program is access to academic resources. The Institute’s library is highly specialized in literature on contemporary Africa, with a strong emphasis on the Social Sciences. Additionally, scholars will be granted access to the Uppsala University Library, one of Sweden’s most prestigious academic libraries, as well as the Library of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. These extensive collections provide valuable materials to support in-depth research across various disciplines.
Who can apply for SIANI African Scholarship Programme 2026?
The scholarship programme is directed at early career researchers based in Africa and engaged in Africa-oriented research. The research topic should be within the disciplines of Social Sciences and Humanities, and with a focus on contemporary Africa. The research should also be relevant to the core principles of the UN Agenda 2030, as indicated in the five impact ares of the Institute
The programme is open to two main categories of early career researchers:
- Staff full-time employed by an African-based university or research center who are enrolled on a doctoral programme in the African region and who do not have access to an international scholarship
- Postdoctoral researchers (within 4 years or less of PhD completion).
The Institute strives to achieve a fair distribution of scholarship positions in regards to gender and geographic focus. We especially welcome research topics that focus on gender issues and the position of women in society.
Open for applications: Apply here
Visit the Official Webpage here!
Related: IPCC Scholarship Programme 2025