The British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) has officially opened applications for its prestigious annual grant programme for 2025-2026, providing a range of funding opportunities for scholars, researchers, and postgraduate students working in humanities and social sciences related to Eastern Africa.
Applications are now open for Writing Fellowships, Thematic Grants, Dissemination Grants, Workshop Grants, Impact Grants, and the Graduate Attachment Scheme (GAS).
Grant Categories
1# Postdoctoral Writing Fellowships
This three-month fellowship supports postdoctoral scholars in producing publication-ready research articles based on PhD research completed within the last two years. The research must be relevant to humanities and social sciences in Eastern Africa and will be submitted to either Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa or the Journal of Eastern African Studies.
-
- Funding: £1,200 per month (for three months)
- Eligibility: PhD holders (within two years of completion)
- Commitments: Submission of a journal article, blog, social media posts, and a public presentation.
2# Thematic Grants
These grants support original research projects related to Eastern Africa across multiple disciplines within humanities and social sciences. Proposals should align with at least one of the BIEA’s research themes: Africa in the World, Retelling the Past, Changing Environments, Urban Lives, Technologies of Knowledge, and Next Generations.
-
- Funding: Between £500 and £1,500
- Eligibility: Postgraduates, early-career researchers, and collaborative projects
- Commitments: Research completion, blog, social media posts, and public presentation
3# Dissemination Grants
This opportunity allows postdoctoral scholars to return to their PhD research site (within three years of completion) to share their findings with participants, stakeholders, and local institutions.
-
- Funding: Up to £3,000 per scholar
- Eligibility: Postdoctoral scholars (up to three years post-PhD)
- Commitments: Research dissemination, blog, social media posts, and public presentation
4# Workshop Grants
These grants fund international research workshops that bring together scholars from Africa and the UK to collaborate on research related to Eastern Africa.
-
- Funding: Up to £2,000 (exceptionally up to £4,000)
- Eligibility: Workshop organizers in humanities or social sciences
- Commitments: Workshop completion, blog, report, and acknowledgment of BIEA
5# Impact Grants
Impact Grants support scholars in translating their research into practical policy or social impact initiatives benefiting Eastern Africa. Proposals should demonstrate collaboration with policymakers, cultural institutions, or civil society groups.
-
- Funding: Standard grants up to £2,000 (exceptionally up to £4,000)
- Eligibility: Postdoctoral scholars at any stage
- Commitments: Impact delivery, blog, report, and public presentation.
Graduate Attachment Scheme (GAS)
This three-month scheme is open to recent graduates interested in gaining research experience in Eastern Africa. Attachés will engage in literature reviews, field visits, archival research, networking, and administrative activities at BIEA in Nairobi.
- Funding: Travel, visa support, and a monthly stipend
- Eligibility: Recent graduates in humanities or social sciences
- Commitments: Research work, social media engagement, and contribution to BIEA’s Annual Review
- Cohorts: July–September and September–November 2025
Apply: https://biea.ac.uk/call-for-applications-biea-grant-opportunities-2025-2026/.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the BIEA Grant Opportunities 2025-2026 is Friday, 11 April 2025, at 5 PM (BST) / 7 PM (EAT).
DATE . Mar /9/2025