CODESRIA/ZASB 7th Summer School 2026: Boost Your African Studies Research
Are you a PhD student or early career scholar interested in African Studies? The CODESRIA/ZASB 7th Summer School in African Studies and Area Studies in Africa 2026 offers a great chance to build skills and connect with experts. This program brings together young researchers from Africa and Switzerland to explore new ideas about Africa and the world.
Program Overview
The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) and the Centre for African Studies in Basel (ZASB) run this summer school. It receives support from the Oumou Dilly Foundation in Switzerland. The event works to link African scholars with those studying Africa from Switzerland.
The main focus is on research about Africa and other areas from an African viewpoint. It treats African Studies as part of Area Studies. Organizers pick topics that matter for theory, ideas, and methods when studying Africa. They also look at how Africa adds to global knowledge and how those ideas apply to other places from an African angle.
Key Goals
This summer school has clear aims to help participants grow. First, senior scholars guide PhD students and early career researchers. They discuss fresh theory, concepts, and methods in African Studies that fit the participants’ work.
Second, it pushes people to think about African ways of knowing and being. These can improve tools in their fields and across disciplines. Third, it builds a community feel among scholars who focus on Africa-led research.
Finally, it helps new scholars find their spot in African Studies. This way, African Studies can take a main role in knowledge creation in Africa and worldwide.
Participants also tackle how to mix high research standards with real-world change in Africa. They learn to boost their skills for work across fields and teams. Plus, they practice placing their research in academic and policy settings from an African view.
Who Can Apply
The program targets doctoral students ready to dive into themes on concepts, knowledge bases, and methods in African Studies. It fits social sciences and humanities fields.
You must be a PhD student or early career scholar at a higher education spot in Africa. PhD students from Swiss universities can apply too. Preference goes to those in year one or two of their PhD.
Costs Covered
For those from African institutions, the program pays for travel, lodging, and meals. Organizers will consider a small number of self-funded applicants who can cover their own costs.
Application Steps
To apply, gather these items:
- A motivation letter up to 500 words. Explain how the summer school will help your work.
- A concept paper up to 2500 words. Cover your research topic, how it links to African or Global South ideas (especially Mudimbe’s work), what you hope to gain, and one book tied to the theme for discussion.
- A full CV.
- One recommendation letter from your school or PhD advisor.
- Passport copy.
- Proof of PhD enrollment (for students) from an African or Swiss university, or doctoral certificate (for early career scholars).
Submit via the online application form. For full details, check the official page.
The deadline is May 1, 2026. Act soon to join this network of African-focused scholars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to the CODESRIA/ZASB Summer School?
PhD students in their first or second year and early career scholars from African universities, plus PhD students from Swiss universities, in social sciences or humanities.
What costs does the program cover?
For applicants from African institutions, it covers travel, lodging, and meals; a small number of self-funded spots are available.
What should the application include?
Submit a 500-word motivation letter, 2500-word concept paper, CV, recommendation letter, passport copy, and proof of PhD enrollment or doctoral certificate.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is May 1, 2026; use the online form on the CODESRIA website for submission.