CODESRIA/ZASB 7th Summer School in African Studies 2026: Apply by May 1

The CODESRIA/ZASB 7th Summer School in African Studies and Area Studies in Africa 2026 offers a key chance for young scholars to deepen their work on Africa. Organized by the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) and the Centre for African Studies in Basel (ZASB), this program runs with support from the Oumou Dilly Foundation in Switzerland. It builds links between African researchers and those studying Africa from Switzerland. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2026.

Program Overview

This summer school focuses on African Studies as part of broader Area Studies. It looks at Africa from an African viewpoint and connects that to studies of other world regions. Participants explore theories, ideas, and methods that fit research on Africa. The event also checks how African knowledge adds to global learning and how those insights apply elsewhere.

Young social science and humanities researchers gather here to balance high academic standards with real-world effects in Africa. The program helps them improve skills for teamwork across fields and place their work in academic or policy settings from an African angle.

Main Goals

The summer school has clear aims to guide participants:

• Senior scholars lead sessions where PhD students and early career researchers discuss fresh theories, ideas, and methods in African Studies that match their projects.
• It pushes attendees to think about African ways of knowing and being, and how those can improve tools in their fields or across disciplines.
• Participants join a group of scholars focused on research shaped by African views.
• Emerging researchers learn to make space for African Studies in wider knowledge fields, both in Africa and worldwide.

Who Can Apply

This program targets doctoral students ready to tackle themes in African Studies, social sciences, and humanities. It stresses conceptual, knowledge-based, and method frameworks.

Key requirements include:

• PhD students and early career scholars from higher education spots on the African continent.
• PhD students from Swiss universities are welcome too.
• Focus on social sciences and humanities. Early PhD years (first or second) get priority.

Costs and Support

For those from African institutions, the program covers travel, lodging, and meals. Organizers will consider a small number of self-funded applicants who can pay their own way.

Application Steps

Submit these items to apply:

• A motivation letter up to 500 words. Explain how the summer school will help your work.
• A concept paper up to 2500 words. Cover your research topic, its ties to African or Global South ideas (especially Mudimbe’s work), what you hope to gain, and one book on the theme for discussion.
• Full CV.
• One recommendation letter from your school or PhD advisor.
• Passport copy.
• Proof of PhD enrollment (for students) from an African or Swiss university, or doctoral certificate (for early career scholars).

Apply online through the official form. For full details, check the CODESRIA/ZASB page.

Frequently Asked Questions