For other funding opportunities, please see similar programs for students and faculty administered by the African Studies Center, including the U-M African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS).
Outside Fellowships and Grants
Research funding for work in Africa comes mainly from the Fulbright Scholar Program, Social Science Research Council (SSRC), and the National Science Foundation. In addition, individual faculty members and students have recently held grants from the following foundations and organizations:
Wenner-Gren Foundation
The W. L. S. Spencer Foundation
The John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Institute for Individual and World Peace
United States Institute of Peace
University of Michigan students and scholars also receive the major part of their research funding from national sources. There are several useful general guides for learning about resources. Below are some useful sources of information.
National Endowment for the Humanities
National Endowment for the Arts
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Mental Health
Funding for Incoming Graduate Students
South African Initiative Office Fellowship: A Fellowship for an incoming U-M Ph.D. student interested in African Studies. Must be submitted by a U-M department or unit.
Funding for Current U-M Graduate Students
South African Initiative Office Grant: Small grants to support current U-M graduate students to travel, study, and conduct research in Southern Africa and conversely to fund students from South African institutions to study and do research at the University of Michigan. These grants support graduate research by students enrolled either in a Masters or Ph.D. program. These funds are supported by the South African Initiatives Office, a fund established by Lester Monts in honor of Charles and Christella Moody.
DAAS Individual Research Funding Request: Students can also apply for funding directly from DAAS for an individual research project. Requests must be made using the linked form and received by the department at least six weeks prior to the date funding is needed. Applicants are encouraged to supply as much supporting documentation and information as possible for the department to fully consider the request.
