Masters
African Thesis Award from the African Studies Centre Leiden
The African Thesis Award hosted by the African Studies Centre Leiden (ASCL) presents researchers with the chance to win €500., Post a Comment
- Provider
- Various
- Host country
- Netherlands
- Region
- Europe
About this scholarship
[starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/)
[July 27, 2021August 20, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/07/27/)
The African Thesis Award hosted by the African Studies Centre Leiden (ASCL) presents researchers with the chance to win €500. In addition, the award winner’s thesis will be published in the ASCL’s African Studies Collection.
Presented annually, the opportunity is given to a student whose masters thesis has been accomplished through research conducted on Africa.
**Application Deadline: August 31, 2021**
## Table of contents
- [African Thesis Award Details](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/african-thesis-award-from-the-african-studies-centre-leiden/#h-african-thesis-award-details)
- [Eligibility Requirements of the ASCL](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/african-thesis-award-from-the-african-studies-centre-leiden/#h-eligibility-requirements-of-the-ascl)
- [How to Apply](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/african-thesis-award-from-the-african-studies-centre-leiden/#h-how-to-apply)
[African Studies Centre Leiden](https://www.ascleiden.nl/)
## African Thesis Award Details
The African Studies Centre Leiden is a scientific institute in the Netherlands. It is an interfaculty institute of Leiden University that undertakes social-science research on Africa.
Furthermore, the institution champions promoting a better understanding of historical, current and future social developments in Sub-Saharan Africa.
At its core, the African Thesis Award intends to inspire student research and writing regarding Africa. It also aims to promote the study of African cultures and societies.
All submitted theses, regardless if they win or not, will be made available in full text online via the ASCL’s library catalogue.
## Eligibility Requirements of the ASCL
In order to enter the African Thesis Awards, interested researchers must first make sure that they meet the eligibility criteria posted by the African Studies Centre Leiden. First and foremost, only final-year students who have accomplished their masters thesis at a university in Africa or the Netherlands can join.
Additionally, the aspiring awardees must have graduated with distinction or at least an 8 Dutch rating. Meanwhile, applicants from non-Dutch universities may also apply, provided that they have an A-grade or something similar. This must also be backed by a confirmation letter from their supervisor.
In terms of the thesis output, here are the following requirements that need to be met:
- The researcher’s thesis has to be grounded on independent empirical research with a geographical focus on an African country, region, or its migrant communities elsewhere in the world. Theses in the fields of social sciences or humanities can be submitted. These include geography, political science, anthropology, development studies, economics, history, religion, and literature.
- The ASCL jury highlights the importance of the thesis in relation to development-related issues, its style and readability and interest for the general public. For a higher chance of acceptance, it is recommended that the theses must stand out in terms of subject, theory, and methodology.
## How to Apply
If the researcher or a researcher’s supervisor deems the work original, socially-relevant, and impactful, then the thesis may be submitted.
In order to apply and submit the thesis for the African Thesis Awards, aspiring winners must include the following in their entry:
- An electronic version of the thesis to be sent via e-mail
- A summary of the thesis in 500 words or less
- A signed letter of recommendation from the student’s supervisor containing the grade and details of the quality of the thesis. The educational institution from which the student has graduated must also be included.
PLEASE NOTE: Incomplete submissions will not be considered valid, and shall therefore not be processed.
Once all the requirements have been accomplished, the documents must be sent to [asc@asc.leidenuniv.nl](mailto:asc@asc.leidenuniv.nl) for evaluation. Meanwhile, for further questions and queries, please visit the official [African Thesis Award webpage](https://www.ascleiden.nl/content/africa-thesis-award) by the ASCL.
* * *
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Eligibility criteria
Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.
- Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
- Currently applying to or enrolled at the Masters level
- Willing to study in Netherlands
- Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3
- English-language proficiency demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL or an MOI letter
- Two academic or professional references able to speak to your potential
Required documents
A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.
- Valid international passport (bio page scan)
- Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
- Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
- Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
- Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
- Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
- Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
- Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
- Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders
Deadline timeline
The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.
- 12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
- 6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
- 3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
- 1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
- Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the African Thesis Award from the African Studies Centre Leiden?+
Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Various, and be able to relocate to Netherlands for the duration of the programme.
Is the African Thesis Award from the African Studies Centre Leiden fully funded?+
Funding model: Funding type varies — check the official site. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.
When is the application deadline?+
The application deadline is varies by intake — see the official site. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
What documents do I need to apply?+
At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.
How can I improve my chance of winning?+
Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.