Fellowship Opportunity: Restitution and Reparation – Africa and the Post-Colonial Condition 2025-2026 Presented by The Africa Institute at Global Studies University in collaboration with the Open Society Foundations

The Africa Institute at Global Studies University, in partnership with the Open Society Foundations, proudly announces its annual fellowship program under the theme “Restitution and Reparation: Africa and the Post-Colonial Condition.” This prestigious opportunity seeks to support scholars and practitioners engaged in groundbreaking research and advocacy related to the restitution, repatriation, and broader reparative justice of African cultural heritage. The fellowship provides an intellectual platform for critical reflection on Africa’s colonial past and the global campaign to return looted artifacts and human remains to their rightful homes.

This fellowship is not only a timely initiative but a meaningful contribution to a growing international discourse around historical accountability, cultural sovereignty, and the ethics of museum and academic collections. The program will span three academic semesters, welcoming three fellows per cycle, with placements scheduled for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Fall 2026. Each fellow will be engaged over the course of a semester, beginning September 1, 2025, and concluding December 31, 2026.

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Fellowship Objectives

The fellowship is rooted in the commitment to deepen understanding and promote restitution and reparation practices related to African cultural property, stolen during colonial occupation. Participants will benefit from:

• An immersive academic environment within The Africa Institute, a leading center for African and African diaspora studies.

• A platform to contribute original research and publish scholarly work on topics of cultural heritage, restitution, and post-colonial justice.

• Participation in lecture series, residential fellowships, and a concluding conference with peer scholars and international stakeholders.

Each fellow is expected to produce a publishable academic paper or chapter, to be included in the final collective publication from the fellowship initiative.

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Fellowship Themes

Applicants are invited to explore a wide array of topics related to the program’s core theme, such as:

• Historical and contemporary debates on cultural restitution and reparation

• Case studies of looted artifacts, stolen cultural property, or human remains

• The role of Western institutions (e.g., museums, archives, and universities) in perpetuating or addressing colonial legacies

• Grassroots and governmental campaigns advocating for repatriation and restitution

• The intersection of racial reparations with cultural and historical restitution

This program welcomes interdisciplinary approaches and encourages applications from scholars who combine archival research, legal analysis, anthropology, museology, history, and post-colonial theory.

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Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must:

• Hold a master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant field.

• Demonstrate a scholarly focus on restitution, repatriation, or reparative justice as related to African and African diaspora contexts.

• Align their work with the Open Society Foundations’ goals of justice, democratic governance, and human rights.

• Be available to participate in the full duration of the fellowship semester.

• Be prepared to contribute to public programming such as lectures and conferences hosted by The Africa Institute.

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Application Submission Guidelines

Applicants must submit the following in a single PDF file titled using the format: Open Society_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME and emailed to applications@theafricainstitute.org. Use the same format in the subject line.

Required documents include:

1. Research Proposal/Letter of Interest (1,500–2,000 words): Include an abstract, project goals, research questions, methodology, intended outcomes, and relevance to the fellowship’s core themes.

2. Curriculum Vitae

3. Two Writing Samples: Preferably published articles or book chapters relevant to the applicant’s area of research.

4. Two Reference Letters from academic or professional experts familiar with the candidate’s work.

Applicants must also indicate the semester they are applying for—Spring 2026 or Fall 2026.

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Important Deadlines

• October 1, 2025: Deadline for applications for Spring Semester 2026 (commences January 10, 2026)

• April 1, 2026: Deadline for applications for Fall Semester 2026 (commences September 1, 2026)

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About the Open Society Foundations

Founded by philanthropist George Soros, the Open Society Foundations is the world’s largest private supporter of independent organizations working to advance justice, human rights, and open societies globally. Their partnership with The Africa Institute underscores a shared commitment to address the legacy of colonialism and promote cultural and historical redress.

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For more information about the fellowship and submission requirements, please visit The Africa Institute or contact the fellowship administration at applications@theafricainstitute.org.

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