African Thesis Award from the African Studies Centre Leiden

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

• Prize (€500 + publication)

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

• To be eligible, the thesis must have been completed at a university in The Netherlands or at a university in an African country between 31 August 2025 and 31 August 2026. The thesis should be based on empirical research within the Social Sciences or Humanities, including (but not limited to) geography, political science, anthropology, development studies, economics, history, religion, and literature. The thesis must focus on an African country, region, or its diaspora. The thesis must have been graded at least an 8/10 grade following the Dutch grading system or an equivalent grade (A or higher) from non-Dutch universities. The thesis must be written in English, French, or Dutch. If submitted in Dutch, a five-page summary in English must be included.

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

1. 1
   Check the provider's process

   Consult https://www.ascleiden.nl/content/africa-thesis-award to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.

2. 2
   Check eligibility and any requested materials

   Listed eligibility: To be eligible, the thesis must have been completed at a university in The Netherlands or at a university in an African country between 31 August 2025 and 31 August 2026. The thesis should be based on empirical research within the Social Sciences or Humanities, including (but not limited to) geography, political science, anthropology, development studies, economics, history, religion, and literature. The thesis must focus on an African country, region, or its diaspora. The thesis must have been graded at least an 8/10 grade following the Dutch grading system or an equivalent grade (A or higher) from non-Dutch universities. The thesis must be written in English, French, or Dutch. If submitted in Dutch, a five-page summary in English must be included.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.

3. 3
   Check dates and next steps

   Listed deadline information: 30 September 2026. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

Working backwards from the sponsor's stated deadline (30 September 2026). Earlier dates are approximate planning suggestions, not provider milestones or requirements. No cutoff time or time zone is added.

1. Planning suggestion: 12 months out

   5 Oct 2025

   Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.

2. Planning suggestion: 6 months out

   3 Apr 2026

   If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.

3. Planning suggestion: 3 months out

   2 Jul 2026

   If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.

4. Planning suggestion: 1 month out

   31 Aug 2026

   If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.

5. Provider deadline

   30 September 2026

   Provider deadline information: 30 September 2026. Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.