Apply Now: BIEA 2025–2026 Research Grants – Fellowships, Workshops & More

April 9, 2025

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Apply Now: BIEA 2025–2026 Research Grants – Fellowships, Workshops & More. The British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) is now accepting applications for its 2025–2026 research grant programme, offering up to £4,000 for scholars, early-career researchers, and postgraduate students working in humanities and social sciences across Eastern Africa. Apply by April 11, 2025.

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Background & Grant Overview

The British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) has officially opened its call for the 2025–2026 grant cycle, offering a variety of funding opportunities for researchers focusing on Eastern Africa. These grants aim to support original research, postdoctoral publishing, collaborative workshops, impact-driven projects, and practical placements for graduates.

From postdoctoral writing fellowships to workshop and impact grants, BIEA’s portfolio caters to both early-career and established researchers in the humanities and social sciences, emphasizing regional collaboration, dissemination, and public engagement.

All applications must be submitted by Friday, 11 April 2025 at 5pm BST / 7pm EAT.

Grant Categories & Funding Opportunities

📝 Postdoctoral Writing Fellowships

Designed to support early-career researchers in transforming their PhD findings into peer-reviewed articles.

Stipend: £1,200/month for 3 months
Work Mode: Remote or based at the BIEA library (Nairobi)
Output: Journal article submission, public blog, social media posts, and presentations
Requirement: PhD completed within the last 2 years

🔬 Thematic Research Grants

Supports original research under BIEA’s priority themes, including:

Africa in the World
Retelling the Past
Urban Lives
Changing Environments
Next Generations
Technologies of Knowledge
Funding Range: £500–£1,500
Open to: Postgraduates, independent researchers, and teams
Deadline for project completion: 31 January 2026

Apply Now: BIEA 2025–2026 Research Grants – Fellowships, Workshops & More

📢 Dissemination Grants

For postdoctoral researchers returning to their field sites to present findings and build local collaborations.

Funding: Up to £3,000
Eligibility: PhD completed within the last 3 years
Purpose: Community engagement, policy dialogue, and future project development
Outputs: Public presentations, blogs, and reports

🧩 Workshop Grants

Promotes collaborative workshops on Eastern Africa-focused research in the humanities and social sciences.

Standard Funding: Up to £2,000
Exceptional Funding: Up to £4,000
Criteria: Minimum one-day duration, include UK and African researchers
Outputs: Collaborative outputs like proposals, publications, or special journal issues

🌍 Impact Grants

Designed to translate research into real-world change via engagement with policymakers, civil society, artists, and local institutions.

Standard Support: Up to £2,000
Exceptional Funding: Up to £4,000 for high-impact potential
Focus: Policy influence, social or environmental innovation, or public awareness
Deadline for implementation: 31 January 2026

🎓 Graduate Attachment Scheme (GAS)

Practical three-month placements at BIEA in Nairobi for recent graduates considering advanced studies in African social sciences or humanities.

Cohorts: July–Sept 2025 | Sept–Nov 2025
Support:
- Travel covered by BIEA
- Monthly stipend provided
- Kiswahili language classes available
- Visa support and accommodation assistance
Activities: Literature reviews, research assistance, event coordination

Application Process & Deadline

📅 Deadline: Friday, 11 April 2025
🕔 Time: 5 PM BST / 7 PM EAT
📧 Submission: All applications must be emailed to grants@biea.ac.uk

Steps to Apply:

Download the relevant application form from the official BIEA website.
Complete the form with detailed information on your project, timeline, and expected outputs.
Submit by the deadline with supporting documentation, if required.

Key Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

Alignment with BIEA’s core themes
Research originality and clarity
Feasibility and proposed outputs
Potential for scholarly and real-world impact

Why Apply to the BIEA 2025–2026 Grants?

Boost your academic career through research funding and peer-reviewed publications.
Engage with regional stakeholders and build impactful collaborations in Eastern Africa.
Strengthen your professional network with UK- and Africa-based scholars.
Access to funding for real-world change, not just academic work.

Whether you’re preparing your first article post-PhD, convening a scholarly workshop, or seeking support for an impact project, BIEA’s funding schemes are designed to move your research from theory to impact.