African Studies Centre Leiden Africa Thesis Award

Submit your Africa-related master’s thesis for the Africa Thesis Award, have it published, and win €500!

📝 About the African Studies Centre Leiden Africa Thesis Award

The Africa Thesis Award is an annual initiative by the African Studies Centre Leiden that recognizes outstanding master’s theses on African topics. Established over 20 years ago, the award aims to:

• Encourage research and writing on Africa.
• Promote African Studies worldwide.

Key Details

• Date Published: May 31, 2025
• Application Deadline: September 30, 2025
• Category: Contest
• Sponsor Organisation: African Studies Centre Leiden

🎁 Benefits

The winner of the Africa Thesis Award will receive:

• A €500 prize.
• Publication of their thesis in the African Studies Collection.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the award, the thesis must meet the following criteria:

• Completion Date and Institution:

  • The thesis must have been completed at a university in The Netherlands or an African country between 31 August 2024 and 31 August 2025.

• Research Scope:

  • The thesis should be based on empirical research within the Social Sciences or Humanities, including (but not limited to):
    • Geography
    • Political Science
    • Anthropology
    • Development Studies
    • Economics
    • History
    • Religion
    • Literature

• Focus:

  • The thesis must focus on an African country, region, or its diaspora.

• Grading:

  • The thesis must have been graded at least 8/10 (Dutch grading system) or an equivalent grade (A or higher) from non-Dutch universities.

• Language:

  • The thesis must be written in English, French, or Dutch.
  • If submitted in Dutch, a five-page summary in English must be included.

🏆 Selection Criteria

The jury will evaluate theses based on:

1. Originality of the research.
2. Theoretical framework and methodology.
3. Scientific and societal relevance.
4. Style and readability:
   • A well-written and engaging text that appeals to a broader audience will be considered an asset.

📅 Application Process

A complete submission must include:

• A digital version of the thesis in PDF format.
• A summary (maximum 300 words).
• A signed letter of recommendation from the student’s supervisor, detailing:
  • The thesis’ quality.
  • The awarded grade.
  • Institutional details.

For theses written in Dutch, a five-page summary in English must also be included.

Submission Instructions

• All documents should be submitted via email to asc@asc.leidenuniv.nl.
• Only complete applications will be processed.

Deadline

• 30 September 2025

🎉 Award Ceremony

The winner will be honored at a special Africa Thesis Award Ceremony, where they will present their research.

🌐 Additional Information

For more details, visit the official African Studies Centre Leiden Africa Thesis Award page.

• Prize of € 500
• Thesis published in the African Studies Collection