Apply now for the 2025 Ivan Karp Doctoral Research Awards! African Ph.D. students in South Africa can receive up to ZAR 50,000 to support on-site dissertation research in the humanities and humanistic social sciences. Apply below:
When is the Application Deadline?
The application deadline is Thursday, 1 May 2025.
Tell Me About The Ivan Karp Doctoral Research Awards:
The African Critical Inquiry Programme is pleased to announce the 2025 Ivan Karp Doctoral Research Awards to support African doctoral students in the humanities and humanistic social sciences who are enrolled at South African universities and conducting dissertation research on relevant topics. Grant amounts vary depending on research plans, with a maximum award of ZAR 50,000.
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Which Fields are Eligible?
Humanities and social science
Type:
Research award
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Who can Apply for the Ivan Karp Doctoral Research Awards?
Also, the eligibility criteria include:
- Applicants must be African postgraduate students (regardless of citizenship).
- Must be currently enrolled in a Ph.D. programme at a South African university.
- Must be conducting research in the humanities or humanistic social sciences.
- Applicants must submit an approved dissertation proposal before starting ACIP-supported research or by December 2025, whichever comes first.
- Students who have already received significant dissertation research funding may not be eligible.
How are Applicants Selected?
- Applications will be reviewed by the ACIP Selection Committee, an interdisciplinary group of scholars and practitioners drawn from a range of universities and cultural institutions. Selection will be based on the merit and strength of the application. Award amounts will vary according to project needs; the maximum award is ZAR 50,000.
- Awards will be made only if applications of high quality are received. Notification of awards will be made by late July. Successful applicants will be required to attend the African Critical Inquiry Workshop in the following year and will have opportunities to consult with scholars associated with the Workshop. They will be expected to attend subsequent ACIP Workshops while completing their dissertations, if possible.
- After completing their research, applicants must submit a final research report and a financial report. Students who receive an Ivan Karp Doctoral Research Award from ACIP must acknowledge the support in their dissertation and in any publications resulting from the research. When the dissertation is completed, they must deposit a copy with the African Critical Inquiry Programme at the Centre for Humanities Research.
Required Documents:
Applicants are also to submit the following:
- An abstract of the proposed research project (250 words maximum)
- A research proposal no longer than 1800 words, double-spaced, with 2.5 cm margins and font no smaller than 11 point. Applications that do not follow these format guidelines will not be considered.
- A bibliography of up to two additional pages
- A project budget lists project expenses to be supported. Your budget should justify both items listed and amounts requested (i.e., indicate what amounts are based on)
- Your curriculum vitae
- Current academic transcript and proof of registration at your current institution,
- Two referee letters should be submitted directly to the Selection Committee by email to acip.uwc@gmail.com. One must be from your supervisor.
Which Countries Are Eligible?
All countries
Where will the Award be Taken?
Research must be conducted on-site (not at the applicant’s home institution unless it holds unique, essential research resources).
How Many Awards?
Not specified
What is the Benefit of the Ivan Karp Doctoral Research Awards?
The award benefits include:
- Funding up to ZAR 50,000 to support on-site dissertation research.
- Opportunity to attend the African Critical Inquiry Workshop.
- Consultation with ACIP-affiliated scholars.
- Continued participation in ACIP Workshops.
- Recognition and support that enhances research visibility and impact.
How Long Will the Award Last?
Duration of research
How to Apply:
- Prepare all required documents in the specified format and order.
- Combine them into one file attachment.
- Submit the application by email to: acip.uwc@gmail.com
- Subject line: “ACIP 2025 Research Award Application”
- Ensure referees send their letters directly to the same email by the deadline.
Resources and application forms are available at:
http://www.graduateschool.emory.edu/about/special/acip.html
Visit the application webpage.
