Deadline: September 30, 2025
Applications are open for the African Studies Centre Leiden Africa Thesis Award 2025. The Africa Thesis Award is an annual initiative by the African Studies Centre Leiden that recognises outstanding master’s theses on African topics. Established more than 20 years ago, the award aims to encourage research and writing on Africa and to promote African Studies worldwide.
The African Studies Centre Leiden is the only multidisciplinary academic knowledge institute in the Netherlands devoted entirely to the study of Africa. It has an excellent library that is open to the general public. The ASCL is an interfaculty institute of Leiden University.
Award
- The winner receives a prize of €500 and has their thesis published in the African Studies Collection.
Eligibility
To be eligible, the thesis must meet the following criteria:
- Completion date and institution: The thesis must have been completed at a university in The Netherlands or at a university in an African country between August 31, 2024 and August 31, 2025.
- The thesis should be based on empirical research within the Social Sciences or Humanities, including (but not limited to) geography, political science, anthropology, development studies, economics, history, religion, and literature.
- The thesis must focus on an African country, region, or its diaspora.
- The thesis must have been graded at least an 8/10 grade following the Dutch grading system or an equivalent grade (A or higher) from non-Dutch universities.
- The thesis must be written in English, French, or Dutch. If submitted in Dutch, a five-page summary in English must be included.
Selection Criteria
- The jury will evaluate the theses based on the originality of the research, theoretical framework and methodology, and scientific and societal relevance. Special consideration will be given to style and readability, with a well-written and engaging text that appeals to a broader audience considered an asset.
Application
A complete submission must include:
- a digital version of the thesis in PDF
- a summary (maximum 300 words)
- a signed letter of recommendation from the student’s supervisor, detailing the thesis’ quality, the awarded grade, and institutional details
For theses written in Dutch, also include a five-page summary in English.
Only complete applications will be processed. All documents should be submitted via email to [email protected]
For more information, visit Africa Thesis Award.
