Apply for the Shaping AI from African Contexts Fellowship 2026: 10-Week AI and Social Sciences Research Program in Nigeria

The Shaping AI from African Contexts Fellowship 2026—also known as the LUNE 3 Fellowship—is a groundbreaking initiative designed to redefine how artificial intelligence (AI) is understood, developed, and governed through African perspectives. This intensive 10-week research fellowship brings together graduate and doctoral researchers to critically engage with AI at the intersection of humanities and social sciences.

As global conversations around AI continue to evolve, there is an increasing need for diverse perspectives that reflect local realities, cultural histories, and social contexts. This fellowship addresses that need by equipping African researchers with the intellectual, technical, and collaborative tools required to shape AI systems that are inclusive, ethical, and contextually grounded.

About the Fellowship

The LUNE 3: Shaping AI from African Contexts Fellowship is specifically tailored for Nigerian graduate and doctoral researchers who are interested in exploring how AI intersects with disciplines such as history, sociology, philosophy, linguistics, political science, and other humanities and social sciences fields.

The program is not just about understanding AI technologies—it is about interrogating them. Fellows are encouraged to question dominant narratives around AI innovation and instead examine how these technologies are shaped by power structures, labor dynamics, and cultural influences.

Participants will develop:

• Critical analytical skills to assess AI systems and their societal impacts
• Foundational technical literacy to understand how AI systems function
• Practice-based research experience grounded in real-world contexts

Ultimately, the fellowship aims to produce scholar-practitioners—individuals who can bridge theory and practice to influence AI development within African institutions and communities.

Fellowship Objectives

The core mission of the fellowship is to reshape AI discourse by centering African epistemologies and lived experiences. Key objectives include:

• Encouraging interdisciplinary research that integrates AI with humanities and social sciences
• Supporting locally grounded yet globally relevant scholarship
• Building a community of researchers engaged in AI critique and development
• Expanding access to AI research opportunities in low-resource academic settings

The program also seeks to establish a long-term network of researchers who will continue to collaborate and contribute to global AI conversations beyond the fellowship period.

Fellowship Roles and Participation Tracks

The program offers multiple entry points for participants with different expertise and interests. Each role is designed to foster collaboration across disciplines.

1. Fellows

Fellows are individuals with a background in humanities or social sciences who are exploring how AI intersects with their field. They bring domain-specific knowledge and collaborate with technically skilled participants to enrich interdisciplinary research.

2. Navigators

Navigators are participants with technical expertise in AI, computer science, or related fields. They support fellows by providing technical insights while gaining exposure to humanistic and social science perspectives.

This dual structure ensures a mutual exchange of knowledge, where both fellows and navigators benefit from each other’s expertise.

3. Facilitators

Facilitators are experienced researchers or professionals who lead sessions within the program. Each facilitator conducts at least one 90-minute session focused on topics such as:

• Digital humanities
• AI systems and applications
• Ethics and governance of AI

Their role is to deepen participants’ understanding and stimulate critical discussions.

4. Mentors

Mentors provide personalized guidance to participants throughout the fellowship. Each mentor commits 2–4 hours per month to support one or two fellows in developing their research projects.

Mentors are expected to have experience conducting research at global standards and play a crucial role in helping participants produce high-quality outputs.

Fellowship Timeline

The 2026 fellowship follows a structured timeline designed to guide participants from application to final project presentation:

• April 20, 2026 – Application Deadline
• Mid to Late May 2026 – Finalists Announced
• Late May to Early June 2026 – Fellowship Begins
• Late July to Early August 2026 – Final Presentations and Closing

This timeline ensures a focused and immersive experience within a relatively short duration.

Program Curriculum and Learning Modules

The fellowship curriculum is carefully designed to provide both theoretical grounding and practical research experience.

Module 0: Introduction to AI, Humanities, and Social Sciences

This foundational module introduces participants to the interdisciplinary landscape of AI. Key focus areas include:

• Understanding AI as a socio-technical system
• Exploring how power, labor, and culture shape AI technologies
• Examining dominant narratives versus critical Global South perspectives
• Mapping individual research interests to AI-related questions

Participants also begin to reflect on their positionality, which is essential for conducting meaningful and context-aware research.

Additional Modules and Workshops

Subsequent modules (Modules 1–3) and additional workshops expand on these themes, offering deeper engagement with specialized topics. While specific details may vary, these sessions are designed to:

• Enhance interdisciplinary methodologies
• Introduce practical tools for AI research
• Encourage collaborative problem-solving

Program Structure

The fellowship is delivered remotely, making it accessible to participants across different locations. To support engagement, the program provides data stipends for all participants.

Key components of the program include:

Weekly Classes

Participants attend 90-minute sessions led by faculty members, covering various AI-related topics.

Targeted Mentoring

Mentors work closely with participants to refine their research ideas and methodologies.

Collaborative Assignments

Participants engage in group work, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and peer learning.

Exploratory Projects

Each participant develops a research project with guidance from mentors, navigators, and the program team.

Faculty and Mentorship Network

The fellowship boasts a diverse and experienced faculty composed of researchers, academics, and industry professionals working at the forefront of AI and interdisciplinary studies.

The faculty includes experts in:

• AI governance
• Computational linguistics
• Political communication and emerging media
• Ethnographic research
• Digital humanities
• AI policy and law

This broad expertise ensures that participants receive well-rounded guidance and exposure to multiple perspectives.

Research Output and Resources

Participants contribute to a growing body of research that reflects African perspectives on AI. Outputs from previous cohorts, such as the LUNE TWO fellowship, include compilations of ongoing research by fellows and navigators.

These resources serve as valuable references for future participants and contribute to the broader academic and policy discourse on AI.

Sponsorship and Support

The fellowship is supported by a range of organizations committed to advancing AI research and policy in Africa. These partnerships enable the program to provide high-quality training, mentorship, and resources to participants.

Why You Should Apply

The Shaping AI from African Contexts Fellowship is more than just a training program—it is an opportunity to become part of a transformative movement shaping the future of AI from within Africa.

By participating, you will:

• Gain interdisciplinary expertise at the intersection of AI and social sciences
• Work with leading researchers and practitioners
• Develop a research project with real-world impact
• Join a network of scholars influencing global AI debates

How to Apply

Interested candidates can apply under the role that best matches their background—

Fellow,

Navigator,

Facilitator, or

Mentor.

Each role has specific expectations, but all contribute to a collaborative and intellectually rich environment.

Applicants are encouraged to prepare strong submissions that highlight their interest in AI and its intersection with their field, as well as their commitment to contributing to African-centered AI research.

Conclusion

The Shaping AI from African Contexts Fellowship 2026 represents a critical step toward diversifying global AI discourse. By centering African perspectives and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the program empowers researchers to challenge existing paradigms and build more inclusive, ethical, and context-aware AI systems.

For graduate and doctoral researchers passionate about the intersection of technology, society, and culture, this fellowship offers a unique and impactful opportunity to shape the future of AI.