AWHF Moses Mapesa Research Grant 2024 for Young Professionals

AWHF Moses Mapesa Research Grant 2024 is now open for applications. The AWHF is pleased to announce the Moses Mapesa 1Research Grant to support African Doctoral and Masters Students in the field of natural and cultural heritage. This research grant seeks to further research (particularly supporting fieldwork) on World Heritage and tentative listed sites in Africa.

Eligibility Requirements

The call is open to students who are:
a) Currently or will be registered in 2025 in a Doctoral or Masters programme (Masters 2 for Francophone countries) at an African university and conducting dissertation research in the field of either natural or cultural heritage at an African World Heritage Site,
b) Fluent in English, French or Portuguese,
c) Citizens of an African Union Member State which is party to the World Heritage Convention.

Grant Support

Grant amounts will vary depending on research proposals, with a maximum award of USD Five Thousand (5,000.00). The fieldwork research needs to be conducted in no longer than 9 months from the signature of the contract (May 2025 to February 2026). The award will support research projects focused on the following topics related to a World Heritage or a tentative listed site in Africa:

a) Traditional Management Systems,
b) Risk management and preparedness,
c) Heritage in Conflict and Post-conflict situations,
d) Heritage management and conservation,
e) Heritage and Climate Change,
f) Heritage and Economics/Entrepreneurship,
g) Heritage and Sustainable Development,
h) Heritage Promotion and Awareness,
i) Heritage and Digital Technologies,
j) Heritage and Law.

Grant Requirements

If a student is awarded a grant, they are required to submit a longer research description at the beginning of the grant (along with proof of registration for the degree) and, at the end, a final report with the research results or dissertation/thesis at the final stage as well as a financial report. All documents must be presented in either French, English or Portuguese.

The projects MUST be implemented between May 2025 and February 2026 (within 9 months). Please note that students who do not complete the research within the contractual timeframe will be required to reimburse the grant to the AWHF.

Application Procedure

a) The application form (English, French and Portuguese versions) can be requested by sending an email to bridgetd@dbsa.org
b) Completed applications should be submitted via email (as attachment) to info@awhf.net (with copy to bridgetd@dbsa.org) before the deadline. Hard copies and supporting documents can be submitted to the following address: The African World Heritage Fund, 1258 Lever Road, Headway Hill, Midrand 1685, South Africa.

Submission Deadline:

• The deadline for submission is 17.00 (GMT) on 31 July 2024. However, applicants are highly encouraged to submit their proposals prior to the deadline. 
• Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the AWHF Moses Mapesa Research Grant