Are you a young researcher passionate about how food moves through societies in East Africa? The IFRA-Nairobi Food Circulations in Africa Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 offers a fully funded chance to explore these topics. This program supports social scientists studying food systems, culture, and mobility in the region.
About the IFRA-Nairobi Food Circulations in Africa Programme
The Institut Français de Recherche en Afrique (IFRA-Nairobi) runs this fellowship as part of a larger effort called “Food Circulations in Africa.” The goal is to track the life stories of food items as they travel through social, economic, and geographic spaces. Food here is more than just something to eat; it carries history, politics, culture, and identity.
Researchers look at networks of food trade, migration patterns, consumption habits, and how food shapes communities. The program builds new ways to study these connections, helping scholars understand Africa’s changing food landscapes.
Fellowship Duration and Financial Support
Fellows get a stay of three to six months for fieldwork in East Africa. Each month, they receive 800 Euros to cover research costs. IFRA-Nairobi also provides support like access to resources and chances to share findings at academic events.
This funding lets researchers focus on their projects without money worries. It targets hands-on work in the field.
Key Research Areas
The fellowship welcomes projects on the social and spatial lives of food in East Africa. Here are main themes:
Food Mobility and Circulation
Study how foods travel across borders, from farms to markets. Look at local trade routes and regional supply chains.
Food and Identity
Examine how food builds cultural ties, heritage, and community bonds. Explore traditions passed down through meals.
Political and Economic Dimensions of Food
Analyze government policies, trade rules, food security, and farming economies. See how power affects what people eat.
Historical and Anthropological Perspectives
Trace old food paths and changing practices over time. Use stories and artifacts to map food histories.
“Follow the Thing” Methodologies
Track a single food item from source to table. Note how it changes through human actions and environments.
Eligible Countries and Research Regions
Research must happen in East Africa, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Applicants need to live in one of these countries now.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, meet these rules:
Academic Qualifications
You must have defended your PhD thesis in social sciences or humanities after January 1, 2020.
Research Fields
Work in geography, anthropology, political science, history, or similar areas. Focus must link to East Africa.
Residency and Age
Live in East Africa and be under 45 years old.
Required Application Documents
Prepare these files carefully:
Cover Letter
Write two pages. Include a short project summary (15-20 lines), your background, food research experience, supervisor contacts, and any other funding. Save as PDF.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
List your education, research, publications, and achievements. Submit as PDF.
Research Proposal
Keep it to three pages max. Cover context, questions, methods, bibliography, fieldwork sites, and timeline. Send in PDF and Word formats.
How to Apply and Deadline
Email all documents to [email protected]. The deadline is June 26, 2026. Late applications might not count. Check the IFRA-Nairobi site for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IFRA-Nairobi Food Circulations in Africa Postdoctoral Fellowship?
It is a fully funded program for social scientists to study food systems, culture, mobility, and trade in East Africa. The fellowship lasts 3 to 6 months and supports fieldwork.
How much funding does the fellowship offer?
Fellows receive 800 Euros per month to cover research costs. IFRA-Nairobi also provides access to resources and events to share findings.
Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
You need a PhD defended after January 1, 2020, in social sciences or humanities, live in East Africa, be under 45 years old, and focus on food research in the region.
How and when do I apply for the fellowship?
Email your cover letter, CV, and research proposal as PDFs (proposal also in Word) to [email protected]. The deadline is June 26, 2026.
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