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Grants, Fellowships and Residencies in Africa

Currently 10 active paid grants, fellowships and residencies open to applicants in Africa, across AI, arts, film, research, tech and cross-disciplinary practice. Hand-curated and updated weekly. Every entry is funded, no exposure-only calls. Browse the list below, or use the interactive desk for filtering and shortlisting.

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Open calls

  1. Goethe-Institut: Africa-Europe Mobility Grants (15 June 2026 Cut-Off)

    Goethe-Institut (with Expertise France and Institut francais) · Mobility within Sub-Saharan Africa (primary focus) and between Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe · Deadline: 15 Jun 2026 · Award: Up to EUR 4,000 per mobility. Eligible costs: travel (including visa and insurance), accommodation, subsistence, digital costs, and top-up support for family, disability, and green mobility. No application fee.

    Sub-Saharan Component (Connect & Create) of the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme, an EUR 8 million 42-month initiative (2025-2028) implemented by the Goethe-Institut in partnership with Expertise France and Institut francais. PRIMARY FOCUS: transcontinental Africa-Africa short-term mobility for artists and culture professionals. European artists and organisations may also apply, provided they have an existing partnership with an African artist, institution or organisation. ACTIVITIES: artistic and professional development (research, co-creation/co-development, non-formal learning, building international professional relationships); cultural exchange and networking (residencies, exhibitions, conferences, workshops, training, collaborative international projects). Mobility may be physical, digital/virtual or hybrid. ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES: all Sub-Saharan Africa countries and all EU Member States. DISCIPLINES: visual arts, performing arts, music, literature, film, media arts, cultural heritage, design, architecture, fashion design. SCHEME TOTALS: up to 195 grants across the programme period; rolling intake with quarterly cut-offs. DEADLINE: this card is for the 15 June 2026 cut-off (other cut-offs each have their own card). APPLY via the Goethe-Institut Africa-Europe Partnerships page.

  2. EUNIC: Spaces of Culture 2026 (Call for Proposals)

    EUNIC (European Union National Institutes for Culture) · Sub-Saharan Africa; requires a triangular partnership of at least three local cultural/civil-society organisations, full EUNIC members, and EU Delegation participation · Deadline: 21 Jun 2026 · Award: Up to EUR 50,000 per project; minimum 5 percent co-funding required from partners. Projects implemented 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027.

    The second Spaces of Culture call supports new, contemporary and innovative cultural relations projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, co-created through equitable partnership and mutual dialogue. THEMES: arts, creative industries, digitalisation, education, gender, heritage, human rights, social inclusion, sports, sustainability, tourism, youth and more. STRUCTURE: each project must be jointly defined and co-developed by a triangular partnership comprising at least three local cultural/civil-society organisations, at least three full EUNIC members (or two if no local cluster exists), and EU Delegation participation. FUNDING: up to EUR 50,000 per project, with a minimum 5 percent co-funding contribution from partners; projects implemented between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027. APPLY: submit the application form template, an estimated budget (in EUR) and partner support letters, in English, to spacesofculture@eunicglobal.eu by 21 June 2026 (23:59 CAT). Queries: robert.kieft@eunicglobal.eu or thoriso.moseneke@eunicglobal.eu.

  3. Connect and Create: Professional Mobilities for Performing Arts (Africa-Europe) - 30 June 2026 Cut-Off

    Goethe-Institut and Expertise France, in collaboration with Institut francais (Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture consortium) · Hosting events in one of the 48 Sub-Saharan African countries or one of the 27 EU Member States · Deadline: 30 Jun 2026 · Award: EUR 15,000 to EUR 25,000 per hosting organisation, covering travel, visa and insurance costs for delegation members. No application fee.

    Connect and Create Professional Mobilities call supports organisations and international events in Africa or Europe to host delegations of NON-ARTIST performing arts professionals from both continents. Part of the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme (EUR 8M, implemented by the Goethe-Institut and Expertise France with Institut francais). HOSTING CONTEXTS: festivals, biennials and major international events; fairs, markets and conventions; summits, seminars, symposiums and workshops. DELEGATES MAY INCLUDE: event organisers; programmers, producers and agents; network managers; representatives of companies and festivals; technical, communications and PR managers. DELEGATION COMPOSITION: at least 8 cultural professionals (18+) from one of the 48 sub-Saharan African countries or one of the 27 EU countries; strong international dimension required (5+ different nationalities for delegations of 8-10, or 8+ nationalities for delegations larger than 10). APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY: associations, foundations, cultural institutions, private companies, etc. with proven experience in performing arts, based in one of the 48 sub-Saharan African countries or the 27 EU Member States. INDIVIDUALS CANNOT APPLY. SELECTION: two committees (January and September 2026). DEADLINE: this card is for the 30 June 2026 cut-off (the earlier 30 November 2025 cut-off has passed). APPLY via the Institut francais emundus portal.

  4. ARUA: Early-Career Research Fellowships 2026 (Option 2)

    African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), with the Mastercard Foundation and Carnegie Corporation of New York · Host and affiliated institutions of ARUA's Centres of Excellence and Africa-Europe Clusters of Excellence; for African early-career researchers · Deadline: 15 Jul 2026 · Award: Monthly stipend of USD 2,000, a modest accommodation payment, and travel support (return ticket to host institution). 6-month fellowship.

    An Early-Career Research Fellowship program funding up to 42 early-career researchers to conduct globally competitive research at the host and affiliated institutions of ARUA's 13 Centres of Excellence and the 22 Africa-Europe Clusters of Excellence. ELIGIBILITY: early-career researchers no older than 35 at the time of application; at least 70 percent of fellowships are reserved for female candidates. STRUCTURE: each fellowship lasts six months; Option 2 runs September 2026 to February 2027 (Option 1, March to August 2026, has closed). SUPPORT: monthly stipend of USD 2,000, a modest accommodation payment, and travel support (return ticket to the host institution); successful candidates are contracted by ARUA for six months. Deadline for Option 2: 15 July 2026.

  5. Cambridge-Africa: ALBORADA Research Fund 2026

    Cambridge-Africa Programme, University of Cambridge (supported by The ALBORADA Trust) · Pairs of researchers: one at the University of Cambridge or an allied institute (Wellcome Sanger Institute, NIAB, British Antarctic Survey), one at an African university or research institution · Deadline: 03 Sep 2026 · Award: Competitive grants of GBP 1,000 to 25,000. Covers research costs such as reagents, fieldwork, equipment and research-training activities in Africa (e.g. setting up courses/workshops). No application fee.

    The Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund competitively awards grants to pairs of researchers, one from an African university or research institution and one from the University of Cambridge or an allied research institute, across all disciplines, to initiate and/or strengthen research collaborations. ELIGIBILITY: both applicants must be at post-doctoral level or above, with employment contracts extending beyond the award end date, and apply with the support of their Head of Department or equivalent; the Cambridge applicant must work at the University of Cambridge or an affiliated institute (Wellcome Sanger Institute, NIAB, British Antarctic Survey); the African applicant must be based at an African university or equivalent. Limited student support is considered where it enhances the Cambridge-Africa relationship. FUNDING: GBP 1,000 to 25,000, covering research costs including reagents, fieldwork, equipment and research-training activities in Africa. APPLY: the Cambridge-based applicant registers using an institutional email (cam.ac.uk, sanger.ac.uk, babraham.ac.uk, bas.ac.uk or niab.com) and invites the Africa-based applicant via the online form. Deadline: 3 September 2026. Queries: alboradafund@cambridge-africa.cam.ac.uk.

  6. Goethe-Institut: Africa-Europe Mobility Grants (15 September 2026 Cut-Off)

    Goethe-Institut (with Expertise France and Institut francais) · Mobility within Sub-Saharan Africa (primary focus) and between Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe · Deadline: 15 Sep 2026 · Award: Up to EUR 4,000 per mobility. Eligible costs: travel (including visa and insurance), accommodation, subsistence, digital costs, and top-up support for family, disability, and green mobility. No application fee.

    Sub-Saharan Component (Connect & Create) of the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme, an EUR 8 million 42-month initiative (2025-2028) implemented by the Goethe-Institut in partnership with Expertise France and Institut francais. PRIMARY FOCUS: transcontinental Africa-Africa short-term mobility for artists and culture professionals. European artists and organisations may also apply, provided they have an existing partnership with an African artist, institution or organisation. ACTIVITIES: artistic and professional development (research, co-creation/co-development, non-formal learning, building international professional relationships); cultural exchange and networking (residencies, exhibitions, conferences, workshops, training, collaborative international projects). Mobility may be physical, digital/virtual or hybrid. ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES: all Sub-Saharan Africa countries and all EU Member States. DISCIPLINES: visual arts, performing arts, music, literature, film, media arts, cultural heritage, design, architecture, fashion design. SCHEME TOTALS: up to 195 grants across the programme period; rolling intake with quarterly cut-offs. DEADLINE: this card is for the 15 September 2026 cut-off (other cut-offs each have their own card). APPLY via the Goethe-Institut Africa-Europe Partnerships page.

  7. Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship 2027

    Miles Morland Foundation · Worldwide (writers born in Africa, or with both parents born in Africa, writing in English) · Deadline: 22 Sep 2026 · Award: GBP 18,000 paid monthly over 12 months (GBP 1,500/month) plus mentorship support throughout the scholarship year. No application fee.

    Annual writing scholarship from the Miles Morland Foundation for African-born writers working in English on a full-length book project (80,000+ words for fiction; equivalent for nonfiction). One of the largest single-author African writing grants. Application window opens 1 July 2026 and closes 22 September 2026; applications outside that window are not read. ELIGIBILITY: writers born in Africa, or with both parents born in Africa, writing in English; nationality is not the criterion. Existing publication record is helpful but not strictly required.

  8. Goethe-Institut: Africa-Europe Mobility Grants (15 December 2026 Cut-Off)

    Goethe-Institut (with Expertise France and Institut francais) · Mobility within Sub-Saharan Africa (primary focus) and between Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe · Deadline: 15 Dec 2026 · Award: Up to EUR 4,000 per mobility. Eligible costs: travel (including visa and insurance), accommodation, subsistence, digital costs, and top-up support for family, disability, and green mobility. No application fee.

    Sub-Saharan Component (Connect & Create) of the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme, an EUR 8 million 42-month initiative (2025-2028) implemented by the Goethe-Institut in partnership with Expertise France and Institut francais. PRIMARY FOCUS: transcontinental Africa-Africa short-term mobility for artists and culture professionals. European artists and organisations may also apply, provided they have an existing partnership with an African artist, institution or organisation. ACTIVITIES: artistic and professional development (research, co-creation/co-development, non-formal learning, building international professional relationships); cultural exchange and networking (residencies, exhibitions, conferences, workshops, training, collaborative international projects). Mobility may be physical, digital/virtual or hybrid. ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES: all Sub-Saharan Africa countries and all EU Member States. DISCIPLINES: visual arts, performing arts, music, literature, film, media arts, cultural heritage, design, architecture, fashion design. SCHEME TOTALS: up to 195 grants across the programme period; rolling intake with quarterly cut-offs. DEADLINE: this card is for the 15 December 2026 cut-off (other cut-offs each have their own card). APPLY via the Goethe-Institut Africa-Europe Partnerships page.

  9. Goethe-Institut: Africa-Europe Mobility Grants (15 March 2027 Cut-Off)

    Goethe-Institut (with Expertise France and Institut francais) · Mobility within Sub-Saharan Africa (primary focus) and between Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe · Deadline: 15 Mar 2027 · Award: Up to EUR 4,000 per mobility. Eligible costs: travel (including visa and insurance), accommodation, subsistence, digital costs, and top-up support for family, disability, and green mobility. No application fee.

    Sub-Saharan Component (Connect & Create) of the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme, an EUR 8 million 42-month initiative (2025-2028) implemented by the Goethe-Institut in partnership with Expertise France and Institut francais. PRIMARY FOCUS: transcontinental Africa-Africa short-term mobility for artists and culture professionals. European artists and organisations may also apply, provided they have an existing partnership with an African artist, institution or organisation. ACTIVITIES: artistic and professional development (research, co-creation/co-development, non-formal learning, building international professional relationships); cultural exchange and networking (residencies, exhibitions, conferences, workshops, training, collaborative international projects). Mobility may be physical, digital/virtual or hybrid. ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES: all Sub-Saharan Africa countries and all EU Member States. DISCIPLINES: visual arts, performing arts, music, literature, film, media arts, cultural heritage, design, architecture, fashion design. SCHEME TOTALS: up to 195 grants across the programme period; rolling intake with quarterly cut-offs. DEADLINE: this card is for the 15 March 2027 cut-off (other cut-offs each have their own card). APPLY via the Goethe-Institut Africa-Europe Partnerships page.

  10. Goethe-Institut: Africa-Europe Mobility Grants (15 June 2027 Cut-Off)

    Goethe-Institut (with Expertise France and Institut francais) · Mobility within Sub-Saharan Africa (primary focus) and between Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe · Deadline: 15 Jun 2027 · Award: Up to EUR 4,000 per mobility. Eligible costs: travel (including visa and insurance), accommodation, subsistence, digital costs, and top-up support for family, disability, and green mobility. No application fee.

    Sub-Saharan Component (Connect & Create) of the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme, an EUR 8 million 42-month initiative (2025-2028) implemented by the Goethe-Institut in partnership with Expertise France and Institut francais. PRIMARY FOCUS: transcontinental Africa-Africa short-term mobility for artists and culture professionals. European artists and organisations may also apply, provided they have an existing partnership with an African artist, institution or organisation. ACTIVITIES: artistic and professional development (research, co-creation/co-development, non-formal learning, building international professional relationships); cultural exchange and networking (residencies, exhibitions, conferences, workshops, training, collaborative international projects). Mobility may be physical, digital/virtual or hybrid. ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES: all Sub-Saharan Africa countries and all EU Member States. DISCIPLINES: visual arts, performing arts, music, literature, film, media arts, cultural heritage, design, architecture, fashion design. SCHEME TOTALS: up to 195 grants across the programme period; rolling intake with quarterly cut-offs. DEADLINE: this card is for the 15 June 2027 cut-off (final cut-off for this programme). APPLY via the Goethe-Institut Africa-Europe Partnerships page.

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