The Maria Sibylla Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA) focuses on research in the Humanities and Social Sciences, specifically on ‘Sustainable Governance’. MIASA’s key areas of interest include conflict and sustainable peace, democracy and environmental transformation.

Additionally, MIASA explores related sub-topics such as landownership, migration, restitution of cultural objects, African cities, human rights, and more. MIASA aims to address global imbalances in knowledge production, promote female scholarship, and bridge cultural gaps.

The institute provides time and resources to support high-quality academic projects. It serves as a platform for collaboration and networking among leading researchers from Germany, Ghana, Africa, Europe, and beyond.

Situated on the beautiful campus of the University of Ghana (UG) in Legon, Accra, MIASA is a joint effort involving the University of Freiburg, the Goethe University of Frankfurt, the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA), and the German Historical Institute Paris (GHIP). The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research primarily funds it.

The current announcement is for a maximum of 10 individual residential fellowships available for the academic year 2024/2025. These fellowships can range from a minimum duration of 3 months to a maximum of 10 months.

Both junior and senior scholars who have obtained their doctoral degrees at least three months before the fellowship start are eligible to apply. The earliest possible start date for a fellowship is June 1, 2024, particularly for short-term stays of up to 3 months.

Longer fellowships typically commence on August 1, September 1, January 1, or February 1. The latest possible end date for a fellowship is July 31, 2025.

About Maria Sibylla Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA)

The Maria Sibylla Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA) is a research college located at the University of Ghana in Legon, Accra. MIASA aims to foster collaboration between Ghanaian scientists and international researchers, breaking down barriers of discipline and geography.

The institute is dedicated to addressing global imbalances in knowledge production, promoting cultural exchange between anglophone and francophone Africa, and highlighting the importance of humanities and social science research conducted by academics from Sub-Saharan Africa.

MIASA Individual Fellowships

Aim and Benefits of Fellowships

• MIASA offers various benefits and responsibilities to successful fellows. They receive salary or teaching substitution costs, individual grants, and post adjustments to compensate for the cost of living.Accommodation or allowance, travel cost reimbursement, and research support are also provided. Family members of fellows can receive a family allowance. The German Federal Ministry provides funding for Education and Research through the University of Freiburg/FRIAS.
• If needed, fellows at MIASA are provided with office space, access to library services, and funding for language courses. They are expected to be present full-time for their fellowship, with any leave needing prior approval.

Related: 2023 Undergraduate Scholarship – University of Queensland Liveris Academy  

2023 Writing Scholarship – Miles Morland Foundation Morland African Writing Scholarship (UK)

2023 University of Stuttgart Scholarship Program – For developing countries 

Requirements for Fellowships Qualification

• The individual residential fellowships offered by MIASA allow researchers to pursue their own projects within MIASA’s thematic research areas. Projects can be in various stages, including conceptual, mid-term, or final stages, such as data analysis and writing up findings.These fellowships require researchers to reside at MIASA, with only limited possibilities for shorter absences and funding available for activities like fieldwork trips. The selection process is conducted by MIASA’s distinguished international Academic Advisory Board and is strictly based on merit.

  Successful applicants are researchers who demonstrate exceptional academic quality and propose innovative and high-quality research topics. MIASA is committed to promoting inclusion, gender equality, and family-friendly policies. The fellowship program strives for gender parity and supports affirmative action initiatives.

• The fellowship opportunity is available to scholars who have completed their doctoral degree at least three months before the fellowship start date, regardless of their level of experience (junior or senior).

Application Deadline

August 31, 2023

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Maria Sibylla Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA) on mobility.frias.uni-freiburg.de to apply.

For more details, visit the MIASA website.