The Nordic Africa Institute’s Nordic Scholarship Programme is designed to nurture research on Africa in the social sciences and humanities. The programme gives its scholars a one-month stay at NAI in Uppsala, enabling access to the institute’s rich resources: its library collections (books, periodicals, newspapers, government publications), workspace, and connections with NAI’s research hosts. The goal is twofold: to strengthen knowledge production on contemporary Africa and to build bridges between Nordic research communities.
Program Snapshot
- Program: Nordic Scholarship Programme
- Coverage: Fully funded (travel, stay, subsistence)
- Nationality: Any citizenship, provided applicants are affiliated with a university or research centre in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, or Iceland
- Degree Level: Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral researcher
- Duration: 1 month
- Host Institution: Nordic Africa Institute (NAI)
- Host Country: Sweden
Coverage & Benefits
Here are the main benefits you’ll get if selected:
- Travel expenses covered: the least expensive fare from your address (in Sweden, Finland, Denmark or Iceland) to Uppsala and back.
- Free, centrally located accommodation in Uppsala during your stay.
- A daily subsistence allowance of SEK 400 per day.
- Desk and computer in a shared office at NAI.
- Free photocopying up to a maximum of 1,000 copies.
What’s not included:
- Health care insurance or other personal insurances.
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Eligibility Criteria
To apply, you must meet all these requirements:
- Be a master’s student, PhD candidate, or postdoctoral researcher in the social sciences or humanities.
- Be pursuing research or studies focused on Africa.
- Be affiliated with a university or research centre in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, or Iceland.
- Citizenship is not a restriction—you may apply whether you are a citizen of one of the Nordic countries or not.
Available Fields of Study
As long as your research falls under the social sciences or humanities and is “Africa-oriented,” it is eligible. This includes (but isn’t necessarily limited to) fields such as:
- Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science
- History, Cultural Studies
- Development Studies, Economics with focus on Africa
- Media Studies, Language and Literature relevant to Africa
- Other humanities/social science disciplines where Africa is central in the study
Application Deadline
Mark your calendars: the closing date for applications is 12 October 2025. This is for applications to the 2026 scholarships.
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How to Apply
Here’s what you need to do (based on the official page): nai.uu.se
- Visit the official application link for the Nordic Scholarship Programme.
- Prepare your application materials, which will likely include:
- A research proposal or description of what you will do during your one-month stay.
- Affiliation documentation confirming your connection to a Nordic university or research centre.
- Any CV or list of publications, as relevant to your level (Master’s / PhD / Postdoc).
- Submit the completed application before the deadline of 12 October 2025.
- Be prepared to receive decisions some time after the deadline. The selection process is competitive, so make your proposal clear, focused, and compelling.
Selection Process
While the website does not give full detail on every step of selection, here’s what we do know and can reasonably infer:
- A committee at NAI reviews all eligible applications.
- Applications are judged on the basis of: relevance of the proposed Africa-oriented research, the quality of the research proposal, and how well the applicant is placed to benefit from the stay at the Institute.
- Because the programme supports only one month stays, proposals that are well scoped and realistic are likely to stand out.
If more detailed guidance is published (e.g. selection criteria weights, interviews), keep an eye on the NAI website.
Why Apply / Program Highlights
There are several reasons why this opportunity is special:
- Focused Environment & Resources: Uppsala’s NAI has collections specific to Africa like government publications, newspapers, periodicals not easily accessible elsewhere.
- Networking & Collaboration: You’ll meet other scholars interested in similar topics; there is potential to build lasting academic relationships.
- Low Barrier, Big Impact: Though stay is short (one month), the resources and support make for concentrated productivity—whether you need library archives, mentorship, or simply time with fewer distractions.
- Financial Support: Having travel, living, and work space covered lets you focus on research rather than logistics.
Conclusion
If you’re someone deeply interested in Africa’s past, present, or future—whether through sociology, history, politics, economics, or the arts—this Nordic Scholarship Programme is a brilliant chance. The combination of access, financial support, and scholarly community in Sweden makes it rare and rewarding.
Don’t wait: polish your proposal, check your affiliations, and get those materials ready. The deadline of 12 October 2025 will arrive faster than you think. I warmly encourage you to apply—this is the kind of opportunity that can really fuel your research and widen your horizons.
Official program website:
https://nai.uu.se/opportunities/scholarships/nordic-scholarship-programme.html
Best wishes — you’ve got what it takes to make your application stand out.