The African Studies Centre Leiden (ASCL) in the Netherlands is offering one of the most prestigious academic opportunities for African scholars through its 2025 Visiting Fellowship Program. This fully funded research program is specifically designed to bring talented early-career and mid-career researchers from Africa to the Netherlands to conduct advanced academic research, collaborate with European scholars, and contribute to global knowledge production about Africa. Held at the renowned Leiden University, this fellowship offers not only full financial support but also access to world-class academic resources, networking opportunities, and platforms to publish and present your work to international audiences. Whether you are a political scientist, sociologist, economist, historian, anthropologist, or work in a multidisciplinary field related to African studies, this program offers you the chance to deepen your research, connect with global scholars, and contribute to shaping the scholarly narrative on Africa from an African perspective
About the African Studies Centre Leiden (ASCL)
The African Studies Centre Leiden is an interfaculty institute of Leiden University and one of Europe’s oldest and most respected academic institutions dedicated to the study of Africa. Since its establishment in 1947, the ASCL has produced groundbreaking research on African history, development, politics, and culture. It is also home to the largest library on Africa in the Netherlands and serves as a hub for both Dutch and international researchers. The ASCL promotes a truly interdisciplinary approach to studying the African continent, engaging with diverse themes such as migration, urbanization, youth, governance, peacebuilding, gender dynamics, and economic development. The center’s goal is to foster high-quality academic work that is both scholarly and policy-relevant, with a strong commitment to inclusivity and research partnerships with African scholars. The Visiting Fellowship Program is a cornerstone of this mission, providing scholars from Africa the opportunity to engage in mutual knowledge exchange, refine their research, and strengthen academic ties across borders
What the ASCL Visiting Fellowship Program Offers
The ASCL Visiting Fellowship Program is a fully funded academic residency in the Netherlands lasting between 6 to 10 weeks, depending on the research proposal and availability. The fellowship is highly competitive and provides the following benefits:
- A monthly stipend to cover living expenses in the Netherlands for the full duration of the fellowship
- Full coverage of travel costs including roundtrip airfare from the scholar’s home country to the Netherlands
- Free accommodation or housing allowance provided in Leiden or nearby cities
- Access to Leiden University’s research facilities, libraries, archives, and academic databases
- Participation in academic seminars, workshops, and conferences at the ASCL and across Europe
- Opportunities to publish in the ASCL’s working paper series or peer-reviewed journals
- Personalized academic mentoring and collaboration with researchers at Leiden University
- Visa assistance and orientation support for all selected fellows
This support is designed to help visiting scholars focus entirely on their research during the fellowship, enabling them to make substantial progress on ongoing projects or develop new research outputs that can influence both academic and policy conversations
Areas of Research Supported
The ASCL is committed to promoting interdisciplinary and policy-relevant research focused on Africa. Fellows are expected to conduct original research that contributes to one or more of the following thematic areas:
- Governance, democracy, and political institutions in Africa
- Youth, education, and employment dynamics
- Gender and development studies
- Urbanization, cities, and social transformation
- Conflict, peacebuilding, and post-conflict reconstruction
- Migration, mobility, and diaspora engagement
- Agricultural innovation, land rights, and rural development
- Digital technologies, media, and society
- Climate change, natural resources, and environmental governance
- Health systems, pandemics, and public policy in African contexts
While the program is open to scholars from all disciplines, applications with clear theoretical frameworks, strong empirical methodologies, and relevance to contemporary African realities are prioritized. Applicants should also demonstrate how their work aligns with the ASCL’s strategic research agenda
Who Can Apply for the ASCL Visiting Fellowship
The program is open to citizens of African countries who are based in Africa and working in research, academia, or public policy. Ideal candidates include:
- PhD holders in the social sciences, humanities, or related disciplines
- Early-career or mid-career researchers affiliated with African universities or research institutes
- Lecturers or faculty members working on academic publications or advanced projects
- Independent scholars with a proven record of publications and impact
- Policy experts or practitioners engaged in evidence-based research
While having a PhD is preferred, exceptional candidates with strong research experience and publication history may be considered. Priority is given to candidates who have not previously participated in the fellowship and who can demonstrate the potential for long-term academic collaboration
Application Requirements and Selection Criteria
Applicants must submit a complete online application through the official ASCL portal. The application typically requires the following documents:
- A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) including publications and current institutional affiliation
- A two-page research proposal outlining the purpose, methodology, and expected outcomes of the fellowship
- A motivation letter explaining how the fellowship fits into the applicant’s academic trajectory and benefits African scholarship
- One letter of recommendation from an academic supervisor, senior colleague, or research director
- A scanned copy of passport or national ID
- A writing sample (optional but recommended), such as a published article or research paper
Applicants are evaluated based on academic merit, originality of the proposed research, relevance to African studies, and potential for contribution to the ASCL’s research community. Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate critical engagement with African issues from African perspectives
Timeline and Important Dates
For the 2025 fellowship cycle, the following timeline is expected (subject to minor changes):
- Call for applications opens: November 2024
- Application deadline: January 15, 2025
- Selection results announced: March 2025
- Fellowship period begins: May to November 2025 (flexible dates based on availability and program schedule)
Applicants are advised to check the ASCL website regularly for updated deadlines and official application links
Life as a Visiting Fellow in Leiden
Leiden is a historic Dutch city known for its academic tradition, cultural vibrancy, and international outlook. As the oldest university town in the Netherlands, it offers a stimulating environment for scholars. Visiting fellows will be immersed in a scholarly community that includes students, researchers, and faculty from across the world. While in Leiden, fellows can:
- Present their work at ASCL’s regular Wednesday Seminar Series
- Collaborate with researchers from Leiden University and other Dutch institutions
- Explore one of Europe’s richest academic libraries on African studies
- Visit nearby academic cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague
- Enjoy the rich history, canals, museums, and cafes of Leiden’s vibrant downtown
The ASCL also facilitates interaction with other visiting scholars from around the world, allowing fellows to form cross-continental partnerships and interdisciplinary research teams
Research Output and Expectations
Fellows are expected to produce tangible research output during or shortly after their stay in Leiden. These outputs can include:
- A working paper to be published in the ASCL’s series
- A draft of a peer-reviewed journal article
- A research presentation or public lecture delivered during the residency
- A policy brief or report targeting development practitioners or policymakers
Fellows are encouraged to use the resources at ASCL to refine and finalize manuscripts for submission to top journals. Long-term collaborations may also result in joint publications, conference panels, or co-authored research proposals
Networking and Career Development
The ASCL Visiting Fellowship Program is not just about academic work—it’s a unique opportunity to build a global academic profile. Fellows benefit from:
- Academic mentoring from leading scholars in their field
- Access to career development resources including publishing workshops, grant writing sessions, and research design clinics
- Invitations to international conferences and academic events hosted by Leiden University and its partners
- Opportunities to build collaborative networks with Dutch, European, and global scholars
- Membership in the ASCL alumni network, which opens doors to future fellowships, PhD programs, and postdoctoral research opportunities
This makes the fellowship a long-term investment in each fellow’s career, academic growth, and institutional visibility
Visa and Travel Support
The ASCL provides full administrative support for the visa application process and covers the cost of the visa as part of the fellowship. Fellows will receive an official invitation letter, which can be used to apply for a short-stay or research visa at the Dutch embassy in their home country. Roundtrip airfare, airport transfers, and local travel arrangements are also covered or reimbursed. Fellows are advised to begin the visa process as soon as they are selected to allow sufficient time for paperwork and embassy appointments
How the ASCL Fellowship Impacts African Scholarship
One of the key goals of the ASCL Fellowship is to support African-led research that addresses real-world challenges facing the continent. By providing African scholars with time, funding, and access to global academic infrastructure, the program empowers them to:
- Advance knowledge production on African topics from African perspectives
- Strengthen institutional ties between African and European research institutions
- Promote cross-regional collaboration and academic inclusion
- Contribute to global debates with grounded, empirically rich African scholarship
- Train the next generation of African academics and researchers
Fellows often return home to share their knowledge, launch new projects, supervise student theses, and even establish research centers using the insights and skills gained in Leiden
Testimonials from Former Fellows
Past fellows of the ASCL Visiting Fellowship Program often speak highly of their experience. Many highlight the quality of academic mentorship, the impact of having uninterrupted research time, and the exposure to international academic communities. Alumni of the program have gone on to secure faculty promotions, publish extensively, join editorial boards, and initiate cross-border collaborations. The program’s emphasis on academic freedom, intellectual exchange, and African ownership of research is often cited as a key strength
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Apply for the ASCL Visiting Fellowship
The ASCL Visiting Fellowship Program 2025 offers African researchers a rare and valuable opportunity to engage in high-level research in a supportive and globally recognized academic environment. With full financial support, access to leading experts and resources, and a clear commitment to promoting African scholarship, the program is more than a residency—it is a launching pad for long-term academic and professional success. If you are an African scholar passionate about producing impactful research, building global networks, and shaping the academic discourse on Africa, this fellowship could be a career-defining opportunity. Apply boldly, prepare well, and take your place at the forefront of African knowledge production in the heart of Europe