Restitution and Reparation: Africa and the Post-Colonial Condition Fellowship

📖 About the Fellowship

The Restitution and Reparation: Africa and the Post-Colonial Condition Fellowship is an annual program organized by The Africa Institute, Global Studies University, in collaboration with the Open Society Foundations. This fellowship focuses on restitution and repatriation issues related to African art and artifacts. It aims to foster dialogue, research, and meaningful progress in returning looted artifacts to their rightful homes in Africa.

📅 Opportunity Details

• Date Published: August 30, 2025
• Application Deadline: October 01, 2025
• Category:
  • Postgraduate
  • Masters
  • PhD
  • Fellowship
  • Training

🎁 Benefits of the Fellowship

Fellows will spend one semester in residence at The Africa Institute (GSU) campus in Sharjah, UAE, engaging with a global community of researchers and contributing to a collective publication.

Additional Benefits:

• Conduct focused research on restitution, repatriation, and African cultural heritage.
• Engage with leading scholars, practitioners, and institutions in the field.
• Contribute to critical debates and public scholarship on the return of looted artifacts.
• Receive mentorship and support for publishing or presenting their work.
• Join a network of fellows and experts committed to advancing restitution, reparation, and cultural heritage advocacy.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Educational Qualification:

  • A minimum of a Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant specialization or area of research.

• Research Alignment:

  • Demonstrate how their research aligns with and contributes to the broader objectives of the Open Society-funded project, including the lecture series, residential fellowships, conference, and final publication.

• Participation Requirements:

  • Fellows are expected to present their work as part of The Africa Institute’s lecture series and participate in the final conference and publication of its proceedings.

📝 Application Process

Required Documents:

1. Research Proposal/Letter of Interest

   • Length: 1,500–2,000 words.
   • Content: Abstract for the publishable paper, project goals, research questions, methodology, and intended outcomes.
   • Must articulate how the work contributes to the larger conversation on restitution, repatriation, and reparations.

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3. Two Sample Writings

   • Examples: Articles or book chapters.

4. Two Reference Letters

   • From specialists in areas relevant to the fellowship themes and objectives.

Submission Instructions:

• Combine all files into one PDF file in the specified order.
• Name the file using the format: Open Society_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME.
• Use the same name in the email subject heading.
• Specify the semester you are applying for.
• Send the PDF as an email attachment to applications@theafricainstitute.org.

📅 Application Deadline

October 01, 2025

🌐 Additional Information

For more details about the fellowship, visit the official program page:
Restitution and Reparation: Africa and the Post-Colonial Condition Fellowship.

To apply, visit:
Apply for the Fellowship.

For any inquiries, contact applications@theafricainstitute.org.

• Fellows spend one semester in residence at The Africa Institute (GSU) campus located in Sharjah, UAE, engaging with a global community of researchers and contributing to a collective publication.
• Conduct focused research on restitution, repatriation and African cultural heritage.
• Engage with leading scholars, practitioners and institutions in the field.
• Contribute to critical debates and public scholarship on the return of looted artifacts.
• Receive mentorship and support for publishing or presenting their work.
• Join a network of fellows and experts committed to advancing restitution, reparation and cultural heritage advocacy.