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.

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.

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.

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 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.

We charge student researchers KES10,000 and postdoctoral researchers KES20,000. The following documents are needed to begin the affiliation process.

• Letter of Introduction from your department
• Letter of Ethical Clearance
• Research Proposal
• A Risk Assessment Form filled by you/ letter from your University
• A  Data Protection Form filled by you/ letter from your University

Send your queries on affiliation to [email protected]

Applications should include:

1. Cover letter including details of any experience of Kiswahili you currently have, your plans to use your new language skills should you be awarded a place on the course, and how Kiswahili language skills would contribute to your career development (2 pages) 
2. Curriculum Vitae (2 pages) 
3. Letter of support (from your supervisor if a postgraduate student) 

For information about upcoming Kiswahili language courses please see here.

a) What is BIEA Graduate Forum?

It is an active network of graduate students in the Humanities and Social Sciences designed to provide support through sharing research knowledge, ideas, and experiences to ease the isolation that is often related to graduate studies.

b) What we do?

We offer helpful platforms and events to develop networks between graduate students and established researchers from different universities, countries and academic disciplines to promote innovative research in Africa.

c) Who can join?

Graduate students whose research is in line with the BIEA thematic areas or related disciplines in Africa’s Humanities and social sciences.

d) When do we meet?

Our meetings take place on the second and fourth Thursday of every month.

e) What time do we meet?

We meet from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. EAT.

f) Where do we meet?

Our meetings take place in the BIEA seminar room, Nairobi. However, due to potential disruption from Covid-19, the event may assume a hybrid or online-only format.

g) Our activities?

Panel discussions, cocktail events, workshops, training, and Work in progress sessions.

Join the BIEA Graduate Forum by emailing to [email protected]

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.

‘I’m grateful to the BIEA for the Undergraduate Volunteer opportunity. It’s been an incredibly amazing experience having had a chance to develop vital skills that remain pivotal to my academic pursuits. With this opportunity, I managed to engage in the participation and organization of the Weekly BIEA Reading groups and PHD forums taking over email correspondences regarding the same. These platforms have and continue to profoundly build on my reading skills thus help me better understand how to engage in, interpret and shape scholarly conversations. This has indeed been and continues to be an Incredible space on academic development for me : Forever a member,’ LoiceOn’gere, UVP 2018.

’Undertaking the BIEA UV programme has been a great  honour. Coming from a legal background, it was refreshing to be exposed to a broad social sciences and humanities research environment.  I was also privileged to host a panel discussion on the Kenyan youth and corruption at the BIEA, a first for undergraduate volunteers. I enjoyed the stimulating discussions based on splendid book selections that characterized the weekly reading groups. The close interaction with both young and accomplished researchers was really the highlight of the programme that has strengthened my resolve to pursue research in the future.’ Gideon Mawasi, UVP 2018,

For the latest information about our UVP programme please see here.