IFRA-Nigeria Research Grant 2026 for Master's, PhD, Postdoctoral Students, and Researchers
- Omran Aburayya
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
If you are a master's, PhD, or postdoctoral researcher passionate about advancing the humanities and social sciences in West Africa, the applications are now open for the IFRA-Nigeria Research Grant 2026. This highly competitive grant supports innovative research projects carried out in one or more countries under IFRA-Nigeria’s geographical mandate, offering financial aid for fieldwork or archival research. The grant is administered by the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA-Nigeria), based at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Here's everything you need to know.
💲 Grant Summary
Location: University of Ibadan, Nigeria (projects based across West Africa)
Sponsor: French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA-Nigeria)
Study Level: Master’s (2nd year), Doctoral, Postdoctoral, and Research Fellows
Target Group: Researchers focusing on humanities and social sciences within West Africa
Geographical Focus: Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Niger, Chad, and Togo
Fields of Research: Humanities and Social Sciences only
Grant Value: Up to €1,000 per research project
Duration: January 2026 – October 2026
Application Deadline: 30 November 2025
Start Date: January 2026
Eligible To: Applicants of any nationality
🌐 Grant Overview
The IFRA-Nigeria Research Grant is designed to strengthen scholarly inquiry in West Africa by supporting approximately ten research projects in 2026. The grants target individual and collective projects that involve field missions, data collection, or archival research.
Projects must align with at least one of the four research axes defined by IFRA-Nigeria:
Beliefs, Bodies, and Health
Citizenship, Gender, and Mobilisation
Heritage Dynamics and Environment
Digital Humanities (Transversal Axis)
All proposed research should incorporate a valorisation component—such as publications, conferences, or knowledge dissemination—linking back to IFRA-Nigeria’s editorial and academic initiatives. The institute encourages applicants to build sustainable collaborations with regional institutions and researchers, fostering long-term academic networks across West Africa.
Successful applicants will be notified by December 2025, and project implementation will run from January to October 2026.
🎁 Grant Benefits
Recipients of the IFRA-Nigeria Research Grant 2026 will receive the following benefits:
Financial support up to €1,000 based on project needs and budget justification.
Funding for fieldwork missions, archival stays, or data collection activities.
Opportunity to collaborate with regional institutions and IFRA-affiliated researchers.
Recognition and publication opportunities within IFRA-Nigeria’s editorial outputs.
A structured reporting framework to enhance academic accountability and dissemination of findings.
💲 Payment Structure:
First installment (50%) at the project start in January 2026.
Final installment (50%) after submission of the final report, due by 15 November 2026.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the IFRA-Nigeria Research Grant 2026, applicants must:
Be a Master’s (2nd year), PhD, postdoctoral student, or active researcher.
Conduct research within humanities and social sciences.
Propose research related to IFRA-Nigeria’s geographical mandate (West African countries).
Align their project with at least one of the four IFRA-Nigeria research axes.
Submit a clear valorisation strategy (publications, conferences, public dissemination, etc.).
Provide a well-defined work plan including objectives, methodology, and partnerships.
There are no nationality restrictions, and both individual and collaborative projects are accepted. However, in collaborative proposals, the contribution and role of each participant must be clearly defined.
📝 Application Procedure
Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file via the official online form:
🗂️ Required Documents:
Motivation Letter (maximum 1 page, Arial 12).
Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum 3 pages).
Detailed Budget (using IFRA template) with full explanation of fund use and other funding sources.
Research Project Description (maximum 4 pages excluding bibliography and budget), including:
Project summary and objectives
Methodology and timeline
Fieldwork itinerary
Institutional collaborations
Valorisation strategy (publication, dissemination)
Bibliography
Important Notes:
Applications incomplete or not submitted in a single PDF file will be rejected.
Research must be personally conducted by the applicant (for individual projects).
Queries can be sent to:
🔍 Selection and Reporting
All applicants will receive feedback via email in December 2025.
Successful grantees must submit a final report by 15 November 2026 detailing research findings, methodology, and outcomes for publication or dissemination through IFRA platforms.
🗂️ Resources
ℹ️ About IFRA-Nigeria
Established within the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, IFRA-Nigeria is a leading French research institute promoting social sciences and humanities across West Africa. Through academic training, collaborative projects, and funding support, it fosters intellectual exchange and interdisciplinary dialogue among researchers, institutions, and communities in the region.
🚀 Conclusion
The IFRA-Nigeria Research Grant 2026 provides a unique opportunity for early-career and established researchers to explore complex social, cultural, and political issues across West Africa. With funding support, mentorship, and a collaborative research environment, this grant empowers scholars to produce impactful work that strengthens African humanities and social science research.
