CODESRIA/ZASB Summer School 2026 in African Studies: Fully Funded Opportunity for PhD Students and Early Career Scholars in Africa
The 7th CODESRIA/ZASB Summer School in African Studies and Area Studies in Africa 2026 is now open for applications, offering a prestigious and intellectually transformative opportunity for PhD students and early career scholars across Africa.
Scheduled to take place from 20–24 July 2026 in Dakar, Senegal, this Summer School is organized by the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) in collaboration with the Centre for African Studies in Basel (ZASB). The programme is supported by the Oumou Dilly Foundation and aims to strengthen interdisciplinary scholarship rooted in African perspectives.
This year’s theme, “Honouring Mudimbe: Rethinking Research through African Thought,” invites participants to critically engage with African epistemologies and reimagine the frameworks through which knowledge about Africa is produced.
About the Summer School
The CODESRIA/ZASB Summer School is a high-level academic programme designed to foster critical thinking, interdisciplinary engagement, and intellectual innovation among emerging scholars in the social sciences and humanities.
The programme emphasizes the importance of African-centered knowledge production, encouraging participants to move beyond traditional frameworks and engage deeply with African intellectual traditions, philosophies, and methodologies.
Participants will explore how African Studies can serve not only as a field of inquiry but also as a source of theoretical and conceptual innovation with global relevance.
Theme: Honouring Mudimbe – Rethinking Research through African Thought
The 2026 Summer School pays tribute to the late Valentin-Yves Mudimbe, one of Africa’s most influential thinkers. His work challenged colonial knowledge systems and introduced new ways of understanding Africa through concepts such as:
- The “Colonial Library”
- The “Invention of Africa”
The programme invites participants to reflect on and respond to Mudimbe’s intellectual legacy by addressing key questions such as:
- How do existing academic frameworks shape our understanding of Africa?
- How can African epistemologies reshape global knowledge systems?
- What does it mean to produce knowledge from an African perspective?
- How can African Studies contribute to global theoretical innovation?
This approach encourages scholars to move from critique to conceptual reconstruction, positioning African thought at the center of global academic discourse.
Objectives of the Summer School
The programme is designed to achieve the following goals:
- Provide a platform for PhD students and early career scholars to engage with advanced theoretical and methodological debates
- Promote interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research approaches
- Strengthen African-centered scholarship and intellectual identity
- Foster a community of scholars committed to critical inquiry and innovation
- Encourage participants to link academic research with societal impact
What the Programme Offers
Participants selected for the Summer School will benefit from:
1. Academic and Intellectual Development
- Engagement with leading African and international scholars
- Exposure to cutting-edge debates in African Studies
- Opportunities to refine research concepts and methodologies
2. Networking Opportunities
- Interaction with peers and experts from across Africa and beyond
- Inclusion in a vibrant scholarly community
- Opportunities for long-term academic collaboration
3. Fully Funded Support (for African Participants)
- Travel costs
- Accommodation
- Meals during the programme
A limited number of self-funded participants may also be accepted.
Who Can Apply
The programme is open to:
- PhD students in Social Sciences and Humanities
- Early career researchers affiliated with higher education institutions
- Applicants based in African institutions (priority given)
- PhD students from Swiss universities
Preference is given to candidates in the first or second year of their PhD programme.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a complete application package including:
- Motivation letter (maximum 500 words)
- Concept paper (maximum 2,500 words), including:
- Research focus
- Relevance to African epistemologies and Mudimbe’s work
- Expectations from the Summer School
- Suggested reading for discussion
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- One letter of recommendation
- Passport copy
- Proof of PhD registration or doctoral certificate
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Important Guidelines
- All submissions will undergo plagiarism and AI-content detection checks
- Applications must demonstrate originality and academic integrity
- Candidates are encouraged to present innovative and critical perspectives
Application Timeline
- Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
- Programme Dates: July 20–24, 2026
Applicants are advised to prepare their documents early and submit complete applications before the deadline.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their applications through the official portal:
Apply for the CODESRIA Summer School 2026
For inquiries, contact:
- Email: tgf@codesria.org
Why You Should Apply
The CODESRIA/ZASB Summer School offers a unique opportunity to:
- Deepen your understanding of African-centered research methodologies
- Engage with leading thinkers in African Studies
- Strengthen your academic and research skills
- Build a strong scholarly network
- Contribute to shaping the future of global knowledge production
Click HERE to learn more about the 7th CODESRIA/ZASB Summer School in African Studies and Area Studies in Africa 2026.
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