Wadsworth African Fellowship 2027 – $20,000 Annual Funding for PhD Students
The Wadsworth African Fellowship provides financial support to African students pursuing doctoral degrees in anthropology at South African universities. The fellowship supports students who are undertaking PhD or equivalent doctoral-level training in anthropology, including archaeology and biological anthropology.
The programme is designed to help promising African scholars access high-quality doctoral training and pursue advanced research at South African institutions offering international-level training in anthropology.
About the Wadsworth African Fellowship
The fellowship is supported by the Wenner-Gren Foundation, which provides funding for research and training in anthropology.
The Wadsworth African Fellowships are intended specifically for African students pursuing doctoral-level anthropology training at South African universities.
Successful applicants receive substantial financial support that can be used for a wide range of costs associated with their doctoral studies.
Fellowship Benefits
Each successful fellow receives an award of US$20,000 per year.
The funding is flexible and may be used toward eligible expenses incurred during the doctoral programme, including:
- Tuition fees
- Living expenses
- Travel costs
- Student fees
- Insurance
- Books and academic materials
- Research expenses
- Income taxes
- Other relevant doctoral programme expenses
The fellowship can be renewed for up to two additional years, subject to successful completion of each preceding year of training.
Fellows may also apply separately for an additional year of support for dissertation writing.
The fellowship does not provide funding for institutional overhead costs or fees associated with the administration of grants and fellowships.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is intended for African doctoral students in anthropology.
Applicants must be pursuing a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree at a South African university where they can receive international-level training in anthropology.
The fellowship covers anthropology broadly and includes areas such as:
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Biological anthropology
This makes the programme particularly relevant to African researchers seeking advanced academic training and financial support for doctoral research in these fields.
Funding Duration
The standard fellowship provides US$20,000 annually and may be renewed for up to two additional years.
Renewal is dependent on the successful completion of the preceding year of doctoral training.
Students approaching the dissertation-writing stage may also seek an additional year of support specifically for completing their dissertation.
This multi-year structure can provide significant financial stability for doctoral students as they progress through their programmes.
Application Deadline
The application portal opens on November 1 each year.
The application deadline is December 15 for fellowships beginning in the following academic year.
Applicants should therefore begin preparing their applications well before the deadline to ensure they have sufficient time to gather the required academic and supporting materials.
According to the fellowship information, final decisions are made by January 15.
Key Fellowship Dates
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | Wadsworth African Fellowship |
| Study level | Doctoral / PhD |
| Field | Anthropology |
| Eligible institution | South African universities |
| Annual award | US$20,000 |
| Renewal | Up to 2 additional years |
| Dissertation support | Additional year may be available |
| Application opens | November 1 |
| Deadline | December 15 |
| Decision | January 15 |
Why Apply?
The Wadsworth African Fellowship offers an important opportunity for African scholars pursuing doctoral research in anthropology to obtain substantial financial support while studying at South African universities.
The flexible funding can help cover both academic and living costs, allowing fellows to focus on their doctoral training and research.
The opportunity may be particularly valuable for researchers working in archaeology, biological anthropology and related areas of anthropological scholarship.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should consult the official Wenner-Gren Foundation fellowship resources and application guidance before submitting their applications.
Applicants should ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements and prepare their application materials well ahead of the December 15 deadline.
The online application portal opens on November 1.
For additional information, applicants can also consult the foundation’s resources on grants and fellowships, application procedures, proposal guidance and frequently asked questions.
