The Africa Fellows in Education 2025/2026 Programme for Young African Researchers

The African continent, rich in cultural diversity and human potential, faces significant challenges in the education sector. To boost research and the development of innovative solutions, the Africa Fellows in Education 2025/2026 programme has emerged as a crucial opportunity for young African researchers. This article explores this programme in detail, highlighting its objectives, benefits, eligibility criteria and potential impact on education in Africa, with a special focus on the relevance for young researchers from Cape Verde.

The Importance of Education Research for Africa

Education research plays a key role in identifying problems, developing effective strategies and evaluating the impact of education policies. In Africa, where literacy rates and access to education are still lower than in other regions of the world, research is even more critical. It enables:

• Understand the specific challenges faced by local communities.
• Developing solutions adapted to the African context.
• Improving the quality of teaching and learning.
• Promoting equity and inclusion in education.

The lack of funding and opportunities for African researchers has been a significant obstacle to the advancement of education research. Programmes such as Africa Fellows in Education aim to bridge this gap by investing in the talent and potential of young African researchers.

The Africa Fellows in Education Programme 2025/2026: An Overview

Africa Fellows in Education is a scholarship programme that offers young African researchers the opportunity to carry out advanced research at internationally renowned institutions. The programme aims to strengthen education research capacity in Africa by supporting the professional development of young talent and promoting collaboration between African researchers and global research institutions.

Main Objectives

• Supporting the professional development of young African researchers.
• Strengthen research capacity in education in Africa.
• Promote collaboration between African researchers and global research institutions.
• Contribute to the development of innovative solutions to the challenges of education in Africa.

Benefits of the Programme

Fellows selected for the Africa Fellows in Education programme receive a range of benefits, including:

• Full funding to cover research expenses, including travel, accommodation and materials.
• Mentoring by experienced researchers at internationally renowned institutions.
• Access to cutting-edge research resources and facilities.
• Opportunities to take part in international conferences and workshops.
• Support for the publication of research results in high-impact scientific journals.

Eligibility and Application Process

To be eligible for the Africa Fellows in Education programme, candidates must:

• Be citizens of an African country.
• Have a master's degree or doctorate in education or related fields.
• Have a strong interest in educational research.
• Demonstrate the potential to become leaders in the field of education research.
• Present an original research proposal that is relevant to the challenges of education in Africa.

The application process usually involves submitting a curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation, a detailed research proposal and a statement of objectives. Applications are assessed by a panel of education experts, who select fellows based on academic merit, research potential and the relevance of the research proposal.

Potential Impact in Cape Verde

For Cape Verde, the Africa Fellows in Education programme represents a valuable opportunity to strengthen research capacity in education and promote the development of innovative solutions to the specific challenges faced by the country. For example, a Cape Verdean researcher could investigate:

• The effectiveness of bilingual education programmes (Cape Verdean Creole and Portuguese) on students' academic performance.
• The impact of technology on education in rural areas of Cape Verde.
• Strategies to improve teacher training and teaching quality.
• The relationship between education and economic development in Cape Verde.

By supporting young Cape Verdean researchers to carry out high-quality research, the Africa Fellows in Education programme can contribute to the development of more effective educational policies and to improving the quality of education in Cape Verde.

Examples of success

Although the 2025/2026 programme has not yet started, similar programmes have demonstrated a significant impact. For example, the African Research Leaders (ARL) programme at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa has supported the development of research leaders in various fields, including education. ARL fellows have published articles in high-impact scientific journals, presented their research findings at international conferences and contributed to the development of evidence-based public policies.

These examples demonstrate the potential of scholarship programmes to boost research in Africa and to train a new generation of research leaders.

The Africa Fellows in Education 2025/2026 programme is a promising initiative that offers a unique opportunity for young African researchers to contribute to the advancement of education in Africa. By investing in the talent and potential of young researchers, the programme can help strengthen education research capacity, promote collaboration between African researchers and global research institutions and develop innovative solutions to Africa's education challenges. For Cape Verde, this programme represents a valuable opportunity to strengthen education research capacity and promote the development of more effective education policies.

Early career African candidates: Boost your education research! Apply for the Africa Fellows in Education Programme 2025/2026. Find out more and apply here: Apply now!

Deadline: 30-04-2025