Are you a social scientist passionate about food systems in East Africa? The IFRA-Nairobi Food Circulations in Africa Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 offers a fully funded chance to dive into groundbreaking research. This program supports early-career researchers with grants and resources to study how food moves through societies, economies, and cultures.
About the IFRA-Nairobi Food Circulations in Africa Programme
The “Food Circulations in Africa” initiative looks at food not just as food to eat or sell. It treats food as a key part of culture, history, politics, and social life. Food objects have stories that change with trade, migration, identity, and global links.
IFRA-Nairobi wants to map out these stories in East Africa. Fellows will help build knowledge on food networks, histories, farming, trade, eating habits, politics, and cultural roles of food. This work aids scholars and leaders in grasping Africa’s food systems.
Fellowship Duration and Support
The fellowship runs for 3 to 6 months. It provides 800 Euros each month for fieldwork costs. IFRA-Nairobi also offers research help and chances to join talks on food studies and African topics.
This setup lets you focus on hands-on research in East Africa without money worries.
Key Research Areas
Projects should link to the lives and paths of food objects in East Africa. Here are main themes:
Food Mobility and Circulation
Track how foods travel across borders, from farms to markets and homes.
Food and Identity
Explore how food shapes culture, heritage, and community bonds.
Political and Economic Sides of Food
Study rules, trade, security, and farming economies around food.
Historical and Anthropological Views
Document old food routes, traditions, and changes over time.
“Follow the Thing” Methods
Use ways to trace one food item through people, places, and changes.
Eligible Countries and Research Sites
Focus your work in East Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, or eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. You must live in one of these countries now.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Rules
Check these basics to qualify:
- Defended your PhD in social sciences or humanities after January 1, 2020.
- Research ties to East Africa in fields like geography, anthropology, political science, history, or similar.
- Live in an East African country.
- Under 45 years old.
What to Submit in Your Application
Prepare these files carefully:
Cover Letter
Make it 2 pages. Add a short project summary (15-20 lines), your background, food research experience, supervisor contacts, and other funding. Send as PDF.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
List your education, research, publications, talks, and achievements. Send as PDF.
Research Proposal
Keep it to 3 pages max. Cover background, questions, methods, sources, site, and timeline. Send as PDF and Word.
Application Deadline and Process
Submit by June 26, 2026. Email everything to [email protected]. Late entries might get skipped.
Benefits of This Fellowship
This chance gives money for field trips, boosts your profile, connects you to networks, and sparks teamwork in food and African studies. As food issues grow in talks on green living, culture, and growth, your work can shape real change in East Africa’s food world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duration of the IFRA-Nairobi Food Circulations fellowship?
The fellowship lasts 3 to 6 months and provides 800 Euros per month for fieldwork costs.
Who is eligible to apply for this fellowship?
You need a PhD defended after January 1, 2020, in social sciences or humanities, research ties to East Africa, live in an East African country, and be under 45 years old.
What countries can the research focus on?
Research must focus on East Africa, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, or eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
What is the application deadline and how to apply?
Submit by June 26, 2026, via email to [email protected] with a cover letter, CV, and research proposal as PDFs.
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