AFRICA OXFORD INITIATIVE (AFOX), UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
AfOx Visiting Fellowship Programme
full · phd
- 12 months totalFellowship duration
- 10 virtual + 2 residencyFormat (months)
- ~£1,000–£2,000/mo (est.)Maintenance allowance
- Return airfare + visaTravel covered
- African nationalsEligibility
- Fully fundedFunding type
At a glance
full
Funding
€15k
Max amount
Jun 5, 2027
Deadline
All African countries (applicants must be nationals of an African country)
Country
Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx), University of Oxford
Provider
The AfOx Visiting Fellowship Programme is run by the Africa Oxford Initiative at the University of Oxford and supports African researchers with advanced degrees who are affiliated with African academic or research institutions. The 2026/2027 cycle focuses on forced migration studies, and researchers with lived experience of displacement — including refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and those under temporary protection — are strongly encouraged to apply. The fellowship lasts 12 months in total: 10 months of virtual engagement followed by a 2-month residency at Oxford during Trinity Term (April to June 2026). It is fully funded, covering economy-class return airfare, visa fees, accommodation, a monthly maintenance allowance, and full access to the University of Oxford's academic resources. Fellows work closely with experts at the Refugee Studies Centre, build international research networks, and advance scholarship in refugee and forced-migration studies. To be eligible, applicants must be nationals of an African country, hold an advanced academic degree such as a PhD or equivalent, and be currently affiliated with an African university or research institution. Support is available throughout the application process, including help identifying potential research collaborators. Because allowance rates and the closing date are set each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures and deadline on the official AfOx page before you apply.
What's covered
- Return airfare — Economy-class return airfare covering arrival in and departure from the United Kingdom for the residency period.
- Visa fees — Coverage of UK visa fees required for the 2-month residency at Oxford.
- Accommodation — Accommodation in Oxford during the 2-month residency in Trinity Term (April to June 2026).
- Monthly maintenance allowance — A monthly maintenance allowance to cover living costs during the fellowship (an estimated ~£1,000–£2,000 (est.) per month; confirm the current figure with AfOx).
- Academic resource access — Full access to the University of Oxford's academic resources, including the Refugee Studies Centre and Bodleian Libraries.
How to apply
Applications are submitted via the AfOx Visiting Fellowship Programme webpage, with support available throughout the process.
- Review the call and theme — Read the AfOx Visiting Fellowship Programme webpage for the 2026/2027 forced-migration-studies theme, eligibility, and detailed guidelines.
- Identify research collaborators — Identify potential research collaborators at Oxford, such as experts at the Refugee Studies Centre; application support is available to help with this step.
- Prepare your application — Prepare your research proposal, CV, evidence of your advanced degree, and proof of affiliation with an African institution.
- Submit by the deadline — Submit your full application via the AfOx webpage by the closing date, around Friday 5 June 2026 (est.).
- Await the outcome — Wait for the selection outcome; for general inquiries contact the AfOx team at afox@ndm.ox.ac.uk.
Eligibility
NationalityMust be a national of an African country.
QualificationMust hold an advanced academic degree, such as a PhD or equivalent.
AffiliationMust be currently affiliated with an African university or research institution.
Research focusResearch should align with the 2026/2027 theme of forced migration studies; applicants with lived experience of displacement are strongly encouraged.
Researchers with lived experience of displacement — refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, or those under temporary protection — are particularly welcomed. Application support, including help identifying research collaborators, is available; contact the RLRH Director of Academic Programmes or the AfOx team.
Eligible countries
All African countries (applicants must be nationals of an African country)
Deadlines
2026/2027 cycle~5 June 2026 (est.)
Selection
AfOx selects fellows on the strength of their research proposal and its fit with the 2026/2027 forced-migration-studies theme, their academic standing, and their affiliation with an African institution. Researchers with lived experience of displacement are strongly encouraged and supported during the process. The programme prioritises building research links with the Refugee Studies Centre and advancing scholarship in refugee and forced-migration studies.
Verified sources
- AfOx Visiting Fellowship Programmeafox.ox.ac.ukofficial
About the provider
The Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) is a cross-university platform at the University of Oxford that fosters equitable research partnerships between Oxford and African institutions. It runs visiting fellowships, grants, and networks to support African researchers and connect them with Oxford's academic community, including the Refugee Studies Centre.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the AfOx Visiting Fellowship?
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Nationals of an African country who hold an advanced academic degree (such as a PhD) and are currently affiliated with an African university or research institution.
Who runs the fellowship?
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It is run by the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) at the University of Oxford, in connection with the Refugee Studies Centre.
What is the focus of the 2026/2027 cycle?
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The cycle focuses on forced migration studies, and researchers with lived experience of displacement are strongly encouraged to apply.
How long is the fellowship?
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It lasts 12 months in total: 10 months of virtual engagement plus a 2-month residency at Oxford during Trinity Term (April to June 2026).
What does the fellowship cover?
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Economy-class return airfare, visa fees, accommodation, a monthly maintenance allowance (around ~£1,000–£2,000 (est.) per month), and full access to Oxford's academic resources.
Do I need a PhD to apply?
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You must hold an advanced academic degree such as a PhD or equivalent.
Must I be affiliated with an African institution?
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Yes; you must be currently affiliated with an African university or research institution.
Is support available for applicants with displacement experience?
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Yes; the programme values their perspectives and offers support throughout the application, including help identifying research collaborators.
Where will the residency take place?
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At the University of Oxford during Trinity Term (April to June 2026), working with experts at the Refugee Studies Centre.
What documents do I need?
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An application form, a research proposal, a CV, evidence of your advanced degree, and proof of affiliation with an African institution.
When is the deadline?
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The deadline falls around Friday 5 June 2026 (est.); confirm the exact current-cycle date on the official AfOx page.
Where can I verify the latest details?
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On the official AfOx Visiting Fellowship webpage linked in the sources section, or by emailing afox@ndm.ox.ac.uk.