SAIIA Africa Youth Portal and Research Programme 2027: Fully Funded Research Training and Mentorship for Emerging African Researchers

Overview

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) Africa Youth Portal and Research Programme 2027 is an intensive research, policy training, and mentorship initiative. It is designed for emerging young researchers from across Africa and the African diaspora to help them bridge the gap between academic research and careers in think tanks, public policy, international affairs, development research, academia, and civil society.

Selected participants will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa, for a week-long training workshop scheduled provisionally for 22–26 February 2027. Following the residency, participants will receive ongoing mentorship to support their professional development and the production of research outputs for publication through the Africa Youth Portal.

Benefits

• Fully funded travel to and from Johannesburg.
• Accommodation provided for the duration of the residency.
• Meals covered throughout the training period.
• Intensive professional development, policy training, and media engagement workshops.
• Ongoing post-residency mentorship from experienced researchers and policy professionals.
• Opportunities to publish policy briefs, web articles, and blogs through the Africa Youth Portal.

Eligibility

• Open to young postgraduate researchers and emerging scholars from across the African continent and the African diaspora.
• Target age group is typically between 18 and 35 years old.
• Applicants must be currently enrolled in a postgraduate programme (such as Honours, Master's, or PhD) or have recently completed postgraduate study.
• Multidisciplinary background covering fields such as Political Science, International Relations, Journalism, Development Studies, Sociology, Law, Economics, Foresight Studies, Public Policy, and related areas.
• Must be fully available to attend the entire Johannesburg training residency and engage in subsequent mentorship activities.

How to Apply

Applicants must prepare their supporting materials in PDF format before starting the online application. Required documents typically include:

• Curriculum Vitae (highlighting research, policy, leadership, or academic experience).
• Copy of an ID or passport.
• Academic transcript or proof of enrolment.
• Recommendation letter from an academic supervisor, lecturer, or research manager.
• Proposed research topic aligned with core themes (Education, Climate Change, Gender, Peace and Security, or Youth Agency and Inclusion).
• A writing sample demonstrating research and analytical abilities.

Submissions must be completed through the online application portal linked below.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by 30 September 2026.