[Wenner-Gren Foundation](https://wennergren.org)

December 15, 2026: Full application submission deadline | December 15, 2026: Host and home sponsors' letters of support deadline

Up to $20,000 per year for up to 3 years (plus possible write-up year); one fellowship awarded annually.

Supports African students pursuing a PhD in anthropology at South African universities, with funding for training and research expenses.

--- ## Description This fellowship supports African scholars who wish to pursue doctoral training in anthropology—including archaeology and biological anthropology—at South African universities. The goal is to provide opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds to receive international-level training, advance anthropological knowledge, and foster inclusivity within the discipline. The program emphasizes strong academic preparation, clear research and training objectives, and a good match between the applicant, their host institution, and their sponsors. --- ## Due Dates - **December 15, 2026:** Full application submission deadline (all application materials must be submitted online) - **December 15, 2026:** Host and home sponsors' letters of support deadline (must be emailed to internationalprograms@wennergren.org by this date) *All application materials and letters must be received by the deadline; late or incomplete applications will not be considered.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Annual award:** Up to $20,000 per year - Can be used for travel, living expenses, tuition, student fees, insurance, books, research costs, and other relevant expenditures - **Duration:** Renewable for up to two additional years (maximum of 3 years total for training) - **Dissertation write-up:** Eligible fellows may apply separately for an additional year of support for dissertation write-up - **Research costs:** Up to $20,000 in research expenses may be included over the 3-year period - **Overhead:** Institutional overhead and administrative fees are not covered --- ## Eligibility - **Citizenship/Residency:** Must be a citizen and resident of an African country at the time of application - **Academic status:** Must be applying to, or in the first year of, a doctoral program in anthropology at a South African university - Students beyond their first year of doctoral training are not eligible - **Underrepresented groups:** Priority given to applicants from groups underrepresented in academic anthropology and archaeology - **Sponsors:** - **Host sponsor:** Must be a faculty member at the South African university where the applicant will study; may sponsor only one active fellow per funding season - **Home sponsor:** Must be a member of the institution where the applicant received a prior degree (if the host and home institutions are the same, the home sponsor must be different from the host sponsor) - **Other requirements:** - Must have a pending application or admission to a South African doctoral program at the time of applying - Must demonstrate financial need and sufficient additional funding to complete their training - Applicants seeking only fieldwork or dissertation write-up support are not eligible - Only one application per funding season is permitted; may not apply through multiple departments or institutions --- ## Application Process - **Application portal:** Opens November 1; submit online by December 15 ([application portal link](https://wennergren.tfaforms.net/4938400)) - **Required materials:** - Applicant and sponsor information - Answers to three essay questions (background and training plans, research interests, professional goals) - Detailed budget (in USD) - Official transcripts (with English translation if needed) - Evidence of language competence (if applicable) - Curriculum vitae for both applicant and host sponsor (max 5 pages, in English) - **Letters of support:** Both host and home sponsors must email letters to [internationalprograms@wennergren.org](mailto:internationalprograms@wennergren.org) by December 15 - [Host sponsor letter instructions (PDF)](https://wennergren.org/app/uploads/2023/01/Wadsworth-African-Host-Sponsor-Info-JKs-edits.pdf) - [Home sponsor letter instructions (PDF)](https://wennergren.org/app/uploads/2023/01/Wadsworth-African-Home-Sponsor-Info-JKs-edits.pdf) - **Language:** All application materials must be in English - **Decision notification:** Typically by January 15 following the application deadline --- ## Additional Information - Only one Wadsworth African Fellowship is awarded per year - Fellows are encouraged to seek additional funding for dissertation research - Recipients are expected to return to their home countries after completing the fellowship and pursue careers related to academic anthropology - The use of Generative AI in preparing the application must be disclosed (see [AI policy](https://wennergren.org/ai-policy/)) - Institutional overhead is not funded - Fellows must comply with U.S. legal restrictions regarding sanctioned countries (see [OFAC Guidelines](https://wennergren.org/ofac-guidelines/)) --- ## External Links - [Program page and full details](https://wennergren.org/program/wadsworth-african-fellowship/) - [Application portal](https://wennergren.tfaforms.net/4938400) - [Application guide](https://wennergren.org/application-guide/wadsworth-african-fellowship/) - [Host sponsor letter instructions (PDF)](https://wennergren.org/app/uploads/2023/01/Wadsworth-African-Host-Sponsor-Info-JKs-edits.pdf) - [Home sponsor letter instructions (PDF)](https://wennergren.org/app/uploads/2023/01/Wadsworth-African-Home-Sponsor-Info-JKs-edits.pdf) - [Wenner-Gren Foundation grants & fellowships overview](https://wennergren.org/grants-fellowships/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | General inquiries | [inquiries@wennergren.org](mailto:inquiries@wennergren.org) | | Application questions | [applications@wennergren.org](mailto:applications@wennergren.org) | | Program administrator | Judy Kreid – [jkreid@wennergren.org](mailto:jkreid@wennergren.org) | | Phone | (+1) 212.683.5000 |

Wadsworth African Fellowship

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