Viera Pawliková-Vilhanová Fellowship for African Scientists in African History
- General conditions
- The scholarship is intended exclusively for graduate students from African countries enrolled in doctoral programmes.
Doctorate holders will not be considered
- Applicants must have spent at least the last 2 years enrolled in a doctoral program in African history or related disciplines at a university in Africa
- The candidate's research subject must focus on historical sources relating to African history before 1900, whether written or from oral tradition. Any application relating to XXe century will not be taken into consideration
2. Financing and duration of stay
- The scholarship provides 12,000 € for a semester (from 4 to 5 months) in an African study centre or a history department of a European university, chosen by the candidate
- Funds are intended to cover living expenses, return airfare, visa fees (if applicable) and research costs
3. Application file
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Letter of acceptance from a host institution confirming their research stay with specific dates, and that the host institution will be responsible for visa support letters and disbursement of funds to the successful candidate
- Search Statement (maximum two pages, font size 12), in which the applicant:
- Describes its research topic and its importance for African history
- Justify the selection of the host university department or the African Studies Centre
- Highlights the benefits of the stay for his research
- Describes planned activities during the stay
- The research proposal must align with the mission and objectives of the Fontes Historiae Africanae project described here: http://www.fonteshistoriaeafricanae.sav.sk/
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) up to 3 pages, font size 12, detailing academic achievements, significant publications (optional) and relevant experience
- Document of their home university in Africa, specifying that they are currently university students
4. Deadlines & Nominations
Applications should be sent to the General Secretariat and the President of the Board at the following addresses:
Prof. Dr. Silvester Trnovec, President of the Jury: silvester.trnovec@savba.sk
Dr. Nicolas Simon, Scientific Attaché at the IAU: vilhanova-award@unionacademique.org
The deadline for applications is 20 October 2025.
The start date must be before June 1, 2026.
The candidates will beaceded personally after the deliberations of the Jury.
5. Selection procedure
- A committee of experts in African history and historical sources, composed by the IAU, will evaluate the applications
- The expert committee is solely responsible for the final selection of the candidate
- Key evaluation criteria include:
- Scientific quality and originality of research
- The importance of research in the field of African history
- The potential impact of the stay on the candidate's professional development
- The results of the selection process will be communicated to candidates by e-mail.
6. Further information
- Fellows are required to submit a brief report on their research stay within one month of completion
- The recipient must send to the selection committee confirmation of the start date of the grant to the host institution before 1 February 2026
- The host institution in Europe will be responsible for the administrative procedures relating to visa applications and the disbursement of funds to the successful candidate. Applicants must inform the host institution at the time of their application.
Contact: vilhanova-award@unionacademique.org
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