Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Emerging Scholars Research Program 2025-2026

Omran Aburayya
Sep 7
3 min read

Updated: Sep 8

If you're an early-career scholar passionate about philanthropy and higher education in sub-Saharan Africa, the Emerging Scholars Research Program at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is now accepting applications for the 2025–2026 cohort. Seize this rare chance to receive mentorship, join a close-knit scholarly community, secure research funding, and expand your academic horizons. Details in this article.

🎓 Program Summary

Location: Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (primarily virtual, with in-person gatherings in Indianapolis, IN and Lisbon, Portugal)
Level: Early career postdoctoral/academic researchers
Target Group: Early-career scholars (Ph.D. earned between 2020–2025) currently at higher education institutions in sub-Saharan Africa; citizens of sub-Saharan African countries.
Fields of Study: Any academic discipline related to philanthropy—nonprofit management, sociology, political science, economics, public administration, business administration, religious studies, history, social work, etc.
Theme: “Philanthropy and Higher Education in sub-Saharan Africa” — with suggested topics such as:
- Alumni philanthropy in African higher education
- Digital fundraising and African universities
- Corporate social investment and African higher education
- Diaspora philanthropy
- Informal philanthropy
- Fundraising profession in African higher education
Value & Coverage: $4,500 research grant
Duration: Program runs from November 2025 through August 2026 (culminating in journal submission)
Application Deadline: September 28, 2025
Start Date: November 2025
Paper Submission Deadline: August 2026 (to an academic journal)

🌐 Program Overview

The Emerging Scholars Research Program is an initiative by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy—today the world’s first school devoted exclusively to the study and teaching of philanthropy—designed to elevate African scholarship in philanthropic studies via research, mentorship, and community building .

Cohort Structure: Limited to 12 emerging scholars for an intimate, feedback-rich environment.
Components:
- Research Grant: $4,500 to support your proposed study.
- Mentorship: One-on-one guidance from senior scholars in the field.
- Virtual Workshops: Present research proposals and engage in peer review within a series of virtual research workshops.
- ARNOVA Conference Gathering: Attend an invite-only session in Indianapolis during the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) conference in November 2025.
- International Exposure: Opportunity for partial travel funding and peer meetings at the International Society for Third Sector Research (ISTR) conference in Lisbon, July 2026.
- Publication Opportunities: After completion, scholars may publish short articles via IU’s network and — of course — submit a full academic paper to a journal.

🎁 Benefits

Financial Support: $4,500 grant for your research
Mentorship: Receive direct, constructive feedback from established scholars
Scholarly Development: Sharpen your research, writing, and presentation skills through interactive workshops
Networking: Build connections with peers and experts at major conferences and through IU’s global philanthropy network
Visibility & Publication: Showcase your research in IU channels and prepare a full academic submission

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must meet all the following:

Citizen of a sub-Saharan African country
Early-career scholar: Strong preference for applicants whose Ph.D. was earned between 2020 and 2025
Currently employed at a higher education institution in sub-Saharan Africa
Academic grounding in philanthropy or related fields (e.g. nonprofit studies, civil society, voluntary sector, etc.)
Commitment to give back to your community or institution through the knowledge and skills gained.
Able to fully participate in virtual workshops, peer feedback, and complete an academic journal submission by August 2026

📝 Application Procedure

To submit a complete application, prepare the following:

Completed Application Form (Apply here)
CV (maximum 3 pages, list publications—most recent first)
Doctoral Diploma (copy)
Statement of Purpose (≤ 500 words): Academic & professional goals, research interests, motivation for applying
Research Proposal (≤ 500 words): Include main research question(s), literature grounding, methodology, contribution potential, and 2–3 key citations
References Information: Names, affiliations, and emails of two referees (you’ll be notified before they are contacted)
One Recommendation Letter: From an academic mentor or supervisor
Submit all materials by September 28, 2025 via the online form.
Direct queries to Matt Griffith, Research Associate (magriff@iu.edu)