Lisa Maskell Fellowships
The Lisa Maskell Fellowships support PhD and select postdoctoral research in the humanities for scholars from Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia at partner universities.
Funder: Gerda Henkel Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): November 2026
Funding Amounts: Covers full-time PhD stipends (typically 3 years) at partner institutions; postdoctoral support available in select cycles; no tuition/overhead coverage.
Summary: Fellowships supporting PhD students (and select postdocs) in the humanities from Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, enabling research and academic training at partner universities.
Key Information: Applications must be submitted directly to partner institutions, not to the Foundation.
Description
The Lisa Maskell Fellowships are the Gerda Henkel Foundation’s largest international funding initiative for young humanities researchers from Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Established in 2014, the program offers financial support for full-time PhD studies at partner institutions—Stellenbosch University (South Africa), Makerere University (Uganda), and the University of Ghana—along with academic workshops and infrastructure development. The fellowships aim to strengthen academic capacity in these regions, counteract brain drain, and foster excellent academic education. The program primarily supports disciplines such as Archaeology, History, Historical Islamic Studies, Art History, History of Law, Prehistory and Early History, and History of Science, with some consideration for topics from special Gerda Henkel Foundation programs.
From 2019 to 2025, select postdoctoral researchers were also supported through the Pilot African Postgraduate Academy (PAPA) in Mali. The program has also provided opportunities for Southeast Asian scholars to engage in research exchanges with German institutions.
