Call for Applications: 2027–2028 International Fellowships
Bayreuth Academy of Advanced African Studies (BA)
Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence, University of Bayreuth, Germany
The Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bayreuth (Germany) invites scholars working in the field of African Studies to apply for fellowships in the Bayreuth Academy of Advanced African Studies (BA).
Funded through the Excellence Strategy of Germany’s federal and state governments since 1st January 2019, the aim of the Africa Multiple Cluster is to reconfigure African Studies at conceptual and structural levels. The Cluster is conceived as a transformative space for the systematic study of African and African diasporic ways of life, enabling new forms of inter- and transdisciplinary cooperation.
In the academic year 2027–2028, the BA offers fifteen Individual Fellowships. The fellowships are designed to enable scholars of African Studies, while immersed in a vibrant community of researchers from more than fifteen academic disciplines, to pursue projects significant to the Cluster’s theoretical and thematic agendas. Fellows will be in residence for periods ranging from one to five months, during which they will carry out their research in an efficiently managed environment with excellent working conditions. To create synergies between fellows and Cluster members, candidates can choose between the winter term (up to five months between 1st October and 29th February) and the summer term (up to four months between 1st April and 31st July).
Who Are the Bayreuth Academy Fellows?
The Bayreuth Academy Fellows are part of an international group of junior and senior scholars – professors, postdoctoral researchers, and doctoral students – affiliated with the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence to advance research and scholarly debates in African Studies. They will enjoy membership status in the Cluster for the duration of their fellowship. Apart from pursuing their research and engaging in informal exchanges with other Cluster members, Fellow activities include:
- participating in Cluster events while in residence; these include regular Thursday afternoon lectures, seminars, and discussion groups
- presenting a 45-minute talk based on the Fellow’s research within the BA
- attending occasional social events for Fellows
- submitting during or after the fellowship at least one publication on the fellowship project, preferably in a high-ranking journal or in a publication outlet of the Cluster of Excellence
- recording a podcast with their host: the conversation will focus on the connection between the Fellow’s project and the overarching Cluster themes, concepts, objectives, and the theme of the Research Section involved
- optional participation in one of the BA’s postdoctoral working groups
- offering discussion sessions for doctoral students
In addition, Fellows are expected to collaborate with Bayreuth-based scholars. One avenue for collaboration is to create synergies with one of the Cluster’s six Research Sections, which serve as umbrellas for the Cluster’s research projects and revolve around specific overarching themes: (a) Accumulation, (b) Digitalities, (c) Ecologies, (d) In/securities, (e) Re:membering, and (f) Translating. We encourage collaboration with individual Cluster members as well, and we also welcome proposals that contribute to the Cluster agenda in general without relating to a Research Section – particularly proposals that advance work on world (un)making and the relational co-constitution of worlds, and more generally the objective of reconfiguring African Studies in a broad sense.
Eligibility for Individual Fellowships
Scholars with a PhD and a proven track record in African Studies are eligible to apply. They may come from any discipline in the humanities and the social, technical and natural sciences. Africa-based scholars are particularly encouraged to apply. The duration of the fellowship may range from one to five months between 1st October 2027 and 29th February 2028, or from one to four months from 1st April to 31st July 2028; the exact duration will be determined based on the suggestion and availability of the successful applicants and in agreement with the respective academic hosts. Residence at the University of Bayreuth is mandatory during the fellowship period.
Fellows will be given workspace in the new African Studies research building on campus and access to the excellent African Studies library holdings at the University of Bayreuth. In terms of remuneration, fellowships include travel subsidies and a monthly living and mobility allowance. The amount of this allowance may vary according to the Fellow’s employment status and family situation; an increased mobility allowance is available for Fellows who travel with minor children. For Fellows whose fellowship term is longer than three months, the fellowship may come in the form of grants to be used for a “teaching buyout” at the Fellow’s home institution. Further information on financial provisions is available in the “Financial Regulations” section below.
How to Apply
Should you be interested in applying, please begin by reading the information about the Cluster’s theoretical and thematic agendas available here. All proposals must demonstrate the candidate’s commitment to the Cluster’s aims and objectives and detail the proposed contribution to the Cluster’s overarching research agenda and/or to one of the Cluster’s Research Sections. The application process is facilitated through an online form that also allows you to upload the required documents. As the fellowship program is an important part of the Cluster’s publication strategy, applicants should place special emphasis on publications resulting from the project pursued during the fellowship.
The application form together with instructions is available here; the closing date is 5th October 2026, 23:59 CEST.
For further information and questions, please contact the coordinator of the BA, Robert Debusmann: robert.debusmann@uni-bayreuth.de.
Bayreuth Academy Individual Fellowships – Academic Year 2027/2028
Instructions for Applicants
To apply for a fellowship, please use the online application form available here.
In addition to general information about your academic profile, you are asked to provide the following items:
- your complete list of academic publications (to be uploaded as one PDF file)
- your CV (to be uploaded as one PDF file)
- a letter of motivation in applying for a BA fellowship and indicating the envisaged period of the fellowship (max. 3,500 characters, roughly equivalent to 500–600 words)
- an outline (max. 6,500 characters, roughly equivalent to 1,000–1,100 words) of the research project you are proposing to undertake as a BA Fellow
- a brief statement (max. 3,500 characters, roughly equivalent to 500–600 words) sketching the contribution you offer to make to the Cluster’s research agenda and/or to one or several Research Section(s) (in theoretical, methodological, or thematic terms), and including the name(s) of the Bayreuth-based scholar(s) with whom you intend to collaborate
- a brief statement explaining how gender and diversity aspects feature in your project (max. 2,000 characters, roughly equivalent to 300–350 words)
- names and contact details of two referees
Closing date is 5th October 2026, 23:59 CET. Applicants will be informed of the selection decision by the end of December 2026.
Additional Information Available for Download:
- Financial provisions pertaining to Bayreuth Academy fellowships
Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence, University of Bayreuth
Fellowship Scheme
Target group: Senior and Junior Scholars of African Studies worldwide (minimum qualification: PhD)
Duration of Fellowship: 1–5 months
International Fellows of the Bayreuth Academy of Advanced African Studies receive the following payments (A + B + C per Fellow):
A. Living Allowance (reimbursement of living expenses):
Case 1:
2,500 EUR per month for Fellows who do not receive any remuneration from their home institution (a confirmation from the home institution or the last funding organisation is required)
Case 2:
1,000 EUR per month for Fellows who are on leave from their home institution with salary but without replacement (sabbatical)
Case 3:
Buy-out for Fellows who will continue to receive remuneration from their home institution. The University of Bayreuth agrees with the home university to reimburse the costs of a substitute lecturer. A formal agreement is not required, but (i) a scan of the contract or agreement regarding the substitution at the home university and (ii) proof of payment of the salary to the substitute lecturer must be provided. Upper limit: 7,000 EUR per month.
The Cluster covers (B.) the costs of arrival and departure and (C.) a mobility allowance for all Fellows.
Fellows travelling with minors: a Fellow who is accompanied by a minor child or children receives travel costs also for the children and an increased mobility allowance.
B. Travel Cost (reimbursement of travel expenses, against submission of receipts):
Reimbursement of travel expenses to and from Bayreuth for the Fellow and accompanying child(ren), if applicable.
C. Mobility Allowance (compensation for additional mobility costs):
750 EUR per month for individual Fellows.
For Fellows travelling with minors:
- + 250 EUR per month for one accompanying minor child, if applicable
- + 250 EUR per month for a second accompanying minor child, if applicable
- + 250 EUR per month for a third or more accompanying minor child(ren), if applicable
Fellows receive a certificate of payment they must submit to their tax authorities.
version 20/07/2026
Download the Call for Applications: Bayreuth Academy International Fellowships 2027-28