AIReKEMA Research Fellowship 2026 | $11,000 Funded Migration & Refugee Research Opportunity in Africa

AIReKEMA Research Fellowship 2026 | $11,000 Funded Migration & Refugee Research Opportunity in Africa

The Advancing Indigenous and Refugee Knowledge and Engagement on Migration in Africa (AIReKEMA) project, in partnership with Carleton University and regional hubs across East, West, and Southern Africa, has officially opened applications for the AIReKEMA Research Fellowship 2026.

The programme aims to support outstanding researchers, postgraduate students, and community leaders conducting impactful research on:

• Migration governance
• Refugee dynamics
• Border governance
• Indigenous knowledge systems
• Peacebuilding and conflict prevention
• Humanitarian policy solutions

AIReKEMA plans to select 12 Research Fellows annually to contribute to innovative migration and governance research across Africa.

The fellowship provides financial support, academic mentorship, and policy engagement opportunities for emerging scholars and practitioners working on migration-related challenges within African border regions and communities.

About the AIReKEMA Research Fellowship

The AIReKEMA Fellowship is designed to amplify traditionally excluded perspectives and lived experiences in migration governance discussions across Africa.

The programme focuses on understanding how:

• Indigenous communities
• Refugee-led initiatives
• Local governance systems
• Community-based approaches

can contribute to:

• Managing migration flows
• Reducing border conflicts
• Strengthening cooperation
• Supporting peacebuilding initiatives

Selected fellows will have opportunities to transform research findings into practical policy recommendations that can influence governments, regional organizations, and humanitarian actors.

Research Areas and Focus Themes

The fellowship supports research related to:

• Migration management
• Refugee governance
• Border security and cooperation
• Indigenous knowledge systems
• Conflict prevention
• Peacebuilding
• Community-led migration solutions
• Local governance structures
• Refugee inclusion and participation
• Humanitarian policy innovation

Projects that center community experiences and local knowledge systems are strongly encouraged.

Responsibilities of Research Fellows

Selected fellows will engage in original and policy-relevant research activities.

Research Fellows Will:

• Design and conduct migration-related research
• Explore Indigenous and refugee-led approaches to governance
• Translate research into practical policy recommendations
• Collaborate with regional hubs and Carleton University
• Participate in project activities and knowledge-sharing sessions
• Meet research ethics requirements within Canada and their home countries

The fellowship emphasizes collaborative and interdisciplinary engagement.

Fellowship Benefits

The AIReKEMA Fellowship offers substantial academic and financial support.

Selected Fellows Will Receive:

The programme helps fellows strengthen research capacity while building professional and policy networks across Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

AIReKEMA welcomes applications from highly motivated candidates with strong interests in migration and refugee issues.

Applicants Should:

• Be MA or PhD students, early-career researchers, or community leaders
• Demonstrate experience in migration, refugee studies, governance, conflict resolution, or Indigenous knowledge systems
• Show interest in policy engagement and border governance
• Demonstrate commitment to peacebuilding and migration solutions
• Have research or applied experience in related fields

Priority is given to:

• Indigenous community members
• Refugee community leaders
• Applicants from East, West, and Southern Africa
• Candidates contributing to diversity and inclusion within the fellowship cohort

Fellowship Duration

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following documents.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Research Proposal (maximum 3 pages)
• Three Academic or Professional References

Research Proposal Must Include

Applicants should clearly explain:

• Research problem or focus area
• Relevance to AIReKEMA goals
• Literature review
• Research question
• Methodology
• Timeline for completion

The proposal should demonstrate both academic quality and practical policy relevance.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee involving:

• Carleton University representatives
• Regional hub representatives

Selection Timeline

Interviews will be conducted virtually through Zoom.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Migration and refugee governance continue to shape social, political, and humanitarian realities across Africa.

The AIReKEMA Fellowship seeks to ensure that:

• Indigenous voices
• Refugee experiences
• Community knowledge systems

play a central role in designing sustainable migration and peacebuilding solutions.

The programme empowers researchers and practitioners to contribute directly to:

• Policy innovation
• Humanitarian governance
• Conflict prevention
• Regional cooperation

while strengthening inclusive approaches to migration governance across Africa.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit all application materials before the deadline.

Application Email

AIReKEMA@carleton.ca

Official Links

Why This Fellowship Stands Out

The AIReKEMA Research Fellowship 2026 offers a unique opportunity for researchers, postgraduate students, and community leaders to contribute to transformative migration and refugee research across Africa.

Through:

• Policy-focused research
• Academic mentorship
• Community engagement
• Peacebuilding initiatives
• Indigenous knowledge integration

fellows will gain valuable international research experience while helping shape more inclusive and sustainable migration governance systems across the African continent.