Global Research & Conference Opportunities 2026: ISA Midyear Conference, Danida Call for Applications, and SG-NAPI Grants

This comprehensive 2026 call highlights three major international opportunities for scholars, researchers, and early-career academics:
• The ISA Midyear Conference 2026 in Pretoria
• Danida Research Call for Applications 2026 – Phase 1
• UNESCO-TWAS Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI)

Below is a consolidated overview of all programs, deadlines, eligibility, and how to apply.

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1. ISA Midyear Conference 2026 – Call for Proposals (Pretoria, South Africa)

Theme: African States vs States in Africa: An Epistemological Interrogation of Africa and the World
Dates: June 29 – July 1, 2026
Location: University of Pretoria
Program Co-Chairs: Christopher Isike (University of Pretoria) & Nadine Machikou (University of Yaoundé II)
Deadline: February 27, 2026

ISA welcomes proposals in the following formats:
• Papers
• Panels
• Roundtables
• Book Roundtable / Author-Meets-Critics
• Early Career Scholar Panels
• Specialty Topic Panels & Roundtables
• Specialty Language Panels (Portuguese or French)

Conference Focus
The event interrogates tensions within the concept of the African state, exploring governance challenges, global marginalization, and Africa’s role in world politics.

Apply Here

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2. Danida Research: Call for Applications 2026 – Phase 1

Eligible applicants: Universities & research institutions in Denmark
Funding: Up to 10 million DKK per project
Project duration: Up to 5 years
Program themes:
Aligned with Denmark’s development cooperation strategies:
• A Changing World – Partnerships in Development
• Africa’s Century

Prequalified applicants in Phase 1 will be invited to submit full proposals in Phase 2. Funded projects will begin April 2027.

Diversity Commitment
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs encourages applicants from all ethnicities, genders, religions, abilities, and backgrounds to apply.

Contact: Research Management Team – ffu@dfcentre.dk
Full Call: Call for Applications 2026 – Phase 1
Note: As of 18 December 2025, Palestine is no longer eligible for this cycle.

Apply Here

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3. Spencer Foundation – Small Research Grants on Education (Up to $50,000)

Applications Open: January 26, 2026
Deadline: April 15, 2026 (12:00 noon CT)
Focus: Education research with strong methodological rigor
Funding: Up to $50,000
Project length: 1–5 years
Eligibility:
• Must be research-focused (not program development)
• PI & Co-PI must hold a doctorate
• PI must be affiliated with a nonprofit or public institution
• Open to U.S. and international applicants
• Only one active Spencer grant allowed at a time

Not eligible:
• Program evaluations without research
• Tool/curriculum development without research
• Non-education topics

Apply Here

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4. UNESCO-TWAS Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI)

Deadline: March 31, 2026
Funding: Up to USD 67,700
Duration: ~30 months
Target applicants: Early-career African researchers (age limit: 40) who recently returned from PhD abroad.

Fields supported:
Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering, ICT, Mathematics, Medical Sciences, Physics

• Projects aligned with Germany’s High-Tech Agenda:
  • AI
  • Quantum tech
  • Microelectronics
  • Biotechnology
  • Fusion/climate-neutral energy
  • Climate-neutral mobility technologies

Eligibility Requirements:
• National of an SG-NAPI eligible African country
• PhD obtained abroad within past 5 years
• Returned (or will return) to home country by end of 2026
• Holding or offered a research/academic position
• No active TWAS or OWSD Early-Career grants
• Strong research proposal (AuthorAID recommended)

Additional benefits include:
• MSc student support
• International conference grant
• Industrial link grant (Germany)
• Mobility grant (Germany)
• Open access publication support
• Scientist-after-child grant for women returning from maternity leave

Apply via: SG-NAPI online portal
Contact: sgnapi@twas.org

Apply Here