Are you a postgraduate student passionate about shaping Africa’s future through research and policy?
The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) invites applications for the Africa Youth Portal and Research Programme, a transformative initiative designed to empower young researchers across the continent. This training programme serves the capacity building function of the Africa Youth Portal – a dynamic platform dedicated to youth-led research and policy engagement.
About the Programme
The Africa Youth Portal and Research Programme consists of week-long in-person training workshop titled ‘From Academia to the Think Tank: A Young Researcher’s Journey’, followed by a period of mentorship to assist participants in their professional and personal growth as an aspiring researcher. The training will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 22 – 26 February 2027 (TBC). The project will cover the costs of travel to and from Johannesburg, as well as meals and accommodation during the training programme.
It aims to equip 20 carefully selected postgraduate youth researchers with the skills, tools, and networks to transition from academic research into impactful policy work. Participants will receive training, mentorship, and the opportunity to publish on the Africa Youth Portal.
Training Focus Areas
- Think tank vs academic research
- Writing short, impactful policy pieces
- Research dissemination and media engagement
- AI and digital tools for researchers
- Personal branding and career mapping
Application Requirements
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be aged between 18 and 35 years
- Be enrolled in or have recently completed (within the past 12 months) a postgraduate programme (Honours, Masters or PhD)
- Be studying or have studies one of the following fields: Political Science, International Relations, Journalism, Development Studies, Sociology, Law, Economics, Foresight Studies, or Public Policy.
- Demonstrate a strong interest in policy research and youth development
- Be fluent in English
- Be available to participate for the full duration of the training workshop and in subsequent engagements and programmes
- Commit to producing a publishable research piece (800 – 1000 words) by the end of the programme
Benefits
- Mentorship from experienced researchers
- Training in research writing, media engagement and digital tools
- Opportunity to publish on the Africa Youth Portal
- Networking with peers, experts, and potential employers
- Eligibility to join the Youth Advisory Committee
How to Apply
Applications must include:
- A completed application form (Submitted via Google Form)
- A recent Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages)
- An academic transcript or proof of enrolment
- A brief research proposal (guidelines available below)
- A writing sample (an excerpt of a dissertation, journal article, or essay, no more than 1000 words)
Guidelines for research proposals:
The purpose of the proposal is to demonstrate your ability to identify a relevant policy issue, develop a clear research question or argument, and communicate how your proposed article would contribute to evidence-informed policy discussions on Africa.
Your proposal should present an original idea for an article that aligns with one of the Africa Youth Portal’s thematic areas.
Please do not submit a formal or academic research proposal you have used for your postgraduate studies.
- 800 – 1000 words
- References may be included, preferably in Chicago or Harvard style
- Submitted as a PDF file
- Provide a working title for the proposed article
- Briefly introduce the issue you wish to examine (Why is this issue important? Why should policymakers care?)
- Clearly state the question your article will address or the central argument you wish to make
- Clarify what your article hopes to contribute (A new perspective, a policy recommendation, highlighting an under-researched issue, identifying lessons from another African context)
- Explain how your proposed article aligns with one of the Africa Youth Portal’s thematic areas
Applications close on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. No late or incomplete applications will be considered.
Applications are now open for the upcoming programme.
Apply Now