BIEA Grant Opportunities 2025-2026
The BIEA annual grant programme 2025-2026 is now open for applications! We have opportunities for Writing Fellowships, Thematic Grants, Dissemination Grants, Workshop Grants, Impact Grants, and a Graduate Attachment Scheme. Scroll down to find out which grant best fits your project, then download an information/application form here and submit your application by Friday 11 April 2025 at 5pm (BST) and 7pm (EAT) by email to [email protected].
Postdoctoral Writing Fellowships
This three-month fellowship will support recent postdoctoral scholars to deliver publication-ready research articles within the disciplines of humanities and social sciences in Eastern Africa, for submission to either Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa, or to the Journal of Eastern African Studies. Articles should be based on PhD research completed within the last two years, at the time of application. Fellows will work independently to deliver the article to one of the BIEA’s journals by the end of the fellowship agreement. They may be based either at home, their own institution, or may make use of the BIEA library in Nairobi. BIEA takes no part in production, proofreading or language checking, which are the responsibility of the authors.
The writing grant stipend is £1,200 per month for three months, at the end of which the article must be submitted to the relevant journal. Applicants must be able to confirm that they are only working a maximum of 15 hours per week in other employment during the time they are receiving the writing grant. Fellowships can be commenced at a convenient time for the successful applicants, providing that the contract is completed by 31 January 2026. Fellows will need to supply a blog, a short report for BIEA’s Annual Review, photos and social media posts to the BIEA for publication and be available for a public presentation (either in person, or online). Download further details, and the application form here. Apply by 5pm BST / 7pm EAT, Friday 11 April 2025.
Thematic Grants
This grant supports original research projects in or about Eastern Africa from any discipline in the humanities and social sciences. We welcome applications from postgraduate students; researchers who have not followed conventional academic careers but whose local knowledge or contacts enable them to conduct high quality research; and/or collaborative projects involving established scholars, where resources are ring-fenced for early career or Africa-based project partners. Research projects must engage with one or more of the following BIEA research themes: Africa in the World; Retelling the Past; Changing Environments; Urban Lives; Technologies of Knowledge; Next Generations (further information on these themes is available here). The grants may be used to catalyse new research agendas, provide seed funding for small projects that lay the ground for larger projects, or to build on existing research. Priority is given to researchers based in the UK or Eastern Africa (defined broadly), and to excellent proposals from researchers or research teams who have limited access to other sources of funds. All funds must be used directly to support research.
Grants are normally between £500 and £1,000, but up to £1,500 may be awarded. Successful applicants will be expected to complete the research by 31 January 2026. They must also supply a blog, a short report for BIEA’s Annual Review, social media post and photos to the BIEA; and be available for a public presentation (either in person or online). Download further details, and the application form here. Apply by 5pm BST / 7pm EAT, Friday 11 April 2025.
Dissemination Grants
This grant is an opportunity for postdoctoral researchers in the humanities and social sciences to ‘bring research home’ to any country in Eastern Africa. It supports scholars to return to the location of their PhD research up to three years after the successful completion of their doctorate. The aim is to support postdoctoral scholars to present their findings to the participants and stakeholders in the research, and to explore future potential research, collaboration, policy or practice agendas.
The maximum grant available is £3,000 per scholar. Successful applicants will be expected to complete the dissemination by 31 January 2026. They must also supply a blog, a short report for BIEA’s Annual Review, social media post and photos to the BIEA; and be available for a public presentation (either in person or online). Download further details, and the application form here. Apply by 5pm BST / 7pm EAT, Friday 11 April 2025.
Workshop Grants
This grant supports international research workshops for humanities or social sciences scholars working in or on Eastern Africa. All workshops should include academics from both Africa and the UK, coming together for a minimum of one day. Workshop grants can be used to facilitate participation either by covering the cost of travel for participants or contributing towards event space hire costs. Suitable outputs include a funding application for collaborative research, a collaborative publication, a journal special issue or similar.
The maximum amount available is £2000, with up to £4,000 per workshop available in exceptional circumstances, requiring specific justification. Applicants may either hold the event at the BIEA in Nairobi or make appropriate alternative arrangements. The workshop must be completed by 31 January 2026. Applicants will be expected to supply a blog, a report for BIEA’s Annual Review, social media posts and photos to the BIEA for publication; and to acknowledge BIEA in any related outputs. Download further details, and the application form here. Apply by 5pm BST / 7pm EAT, Friday 11 April 2025.
Impact Grants
Impact grants support scholars at any stage of their postdoctoral career to translate their academic research findings into policies or practices for the benefit of people and places in Eastern Africa. Applicants should present a proposal that is rooted in previous or ongoing research in humanities and social sciences and clearly designed to achieve impact – creating a positive change in society, culture, the environment or the economy. Proposals must show the potential for a viable collaboration with partners in the Eastern African region that extends beyond academia, for instance with policymakers, civil society organisations, activists, artists, museums, cultural institutions or enterprises. They should explain the pathways to impact and the ways that impact will be evaluated within the project. Projects should also relate to the BIEA mission and research themes and contribute to global or regional policy agendas to promote sustainable development, peacebuilding, human rights, justice, cultural heritage or historical understanding.
Standard grants are available up to £2000; if an exceptionally strong case is made, we may award up to £4000. Successful applicants will be expected to complete the impact activity by 31 January 2026. They must also supply a blog, a short report for BIEA’s Annual Review, social media post and photos to the BIEA; and be available for a public presentation (either in person or online). Download further details, and the application form here. Apply by 5pm BST / 7pm EAT, Friday 11 April 2025.
The BIEA Graduate Attachment Scheme (GAS)
Graduate attachments offer recent graduates with an interest in further studies in any discipline in the humanities and social sciences in Africa, the opportunity to gain practical research experience and develop their networks in a three-month enrolment at the BIEA in Nairobi, Kenya. BIEA graduate attachés will:
- Develop their research interests in the region using our well-stocked library to work on a literature review.
- Gain practical experience of conducting research in Eastern Africa, including using archives, visiting potential research sites, and working as a research assistant for innovative historical, archaeological, anthropological, political science or legal projects.
- Establish international networks with early career and established researchers.
- Gain administrative skills and experience by assisting the BIEA in the organisation of events and in the day-to-day activities of the institute.
- Enrol for beginner, intermediate or advanced Kiswahili classes (if needed).
The BIEA will cover the cost of travel to and from Nairobi, and a visa if required for the period of the attachment. Graduate attachés will also receive a monthly stipend for the duration of their attachment, and the BIEA will assist in identifying suitable accommodation if needed. The GAS scheme will run in two cohorts: July – September and September – November 2025. Applicants should indicate their preferred cohort although this cannot be guaranteed. Successful applicants will be expected to supply a blog, a short report for BIEA’s Annual Review, social media posts and photos to the BIEA for publication, and to acknowledge BIEA in any related outputs. Download further details, and the application form here. Apply by 5pm BST / 7pm EAT, Friday 11 April 2025.
