Researchers and scholars interested in food systems, social sciences, and African studies now have an exciting opportunity to advance their academic careers through the IFRA-Nairobi Food Circulations in Africa Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026. The programme is designed to support innovative research on the social and spatial biographies of food objects across East Africa while contributing to a growing body of interdisciplinary scholarship on food circulation, mobility, culture, and society.

The Institut Français de Recherche en Afrique (IFRA-Nairobi) is offering postdoctoral fellowships ranging from three to six months for qualified researchers conducting studies connected to food circulation and food object biographies in East Africa. Selected fellows will receive fieldwork support valued at 800 Euros per month to facilitate their research activities.

This fellowship is part of the broader “Food Circulations in Africa” programme, which seeks to document the social life of food objects in Africa and develop methodologies for analysing how food moves through social, economic, political, and geographical spaces.

About the IFRA-Nairobi Food Circulations in Africa Programme

The “Food Circulations in Africa” programme focuses on understanding the movement, transformation, and social significance of food objects across African societies. Rather than examining food solely as nutrition or commerce, the programme explores food as a cultural, historical, political, and social object with evolving biographies shaped by human interactions, migration, trade, identity, and globalization.

The initiative aims to produce contextualized social and spatial biographies of food objects, helping scholars and policymakers better understand the interconnected dynamics of food systems in Africa.

Through this postdoctoral fellowship, IFRA-Nairobi supports researchers who can contribute fresh insights into:

• Food circulation networks
• Food histories and identities
• Agricultural and trade systems
• Migration and food mobility
• Consumption practices
• Political economies of food
• Cultural meanings attached to food objects
• Social transformation through food systems

Fellowship Duration and Financial Support

Successful applicants will receive:

• A postdoctoral fellowship lasting between 3 and 6 months
• A fieldwork grant of 800 Euros per month
• Research support from IFRA-Nairobi
• Opportunities to contribute to regional and international academic discussions on food studies and African research

The fellowship is specifically intended to support field-based research activities in East Africa.

Research Areas and Academic Focus

The programme welcomes interdisciplinary research projects connected to the social and spatial biographies of food objects in East Africa.

Applicants are encouraged to explore themes such as:

1. Food Mobility and Circulation

Research examining how food products move across local, national, and regional boundaries.

2. Food and Identity

Studies exploring cultural identity, heritage, and community relationships linked to food.

3. Political and Economic Dimensions of Food

Projects analysing food governance, trade systems, food security, and agricultural economies.

4. Historical and Anthropological Perspectives

Research documenting historical food pathways, traditions, and evolving food practices.

5. “Follow the Thing” Methodologies

Projects inspired by methodologies that trace the movement and transformation of objects through social systems.

Eligible Countries and Research Regions

The fellowship targets researchers conducting studies in East Africa, specifically in:

• Kenya
• Uganda
• Tanzania
• Rwanda
• Burundi
• Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Applicants must currently reside in a country within the East African region.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the IFRA-Nairobi Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Academic Qualifications

Applicants must:

• Have defended a PhD thesis in the social sciences or humanities after January 1, 2020

Research Areas

Candidates should conduct research related to East Africa in one or more of the following disciplines:

• Geography
• Anthropology
• Political Science
• History
• Related social science and humanities fields

Residency Requirement

Applicants must reside in an East African country.

Age Requirement

Applicants must be under 45 years old.

Required Application Documents

Applicants are expected to prepare and submit the following materials:

1. Cover Letter

The cover letter should:

• Be approximately 2 pages long
• Include a 15–20 line summary of the research project
• Explain the applicant’s profile and research interests
• Highlight experience in food studies or related research fields
• Include contact information for Master’s or PhD supervisors
• Mention any additional institutional support or funding received

The document must be submitted in PDF format.

2. Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)

The CV should include:

• Academic background
• Research experience
• Relevant publications
• Professional achievements
• Conferences and academic contributions

The CV must be submitted in PDF format.

3. Research Proposal

The proposal should be a maximum of 3 pages and must contain:

• Research context
• Research questions
• Methodology
• Bibliography
• Fieldwork location details
• Research timeline and planning

Applicants are required to submit the proposal in both PDF and Word formats.

Application Deadline

The deadline for submitting applications is:

26 June 2026

Late submissions may not be considered.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted via email to:

📧 info@ifra-nairobi.net

Additional Information:
IFRA-Nairobi Fellowship Information

Why This Fellowship Matters

The IFRA-Nairobi Food Circulations in Africa Fellowship represents an important opportunity for emerging scholars interested in food systems, African studies, and interdisciplinary social science research.

The programme provides:

• Financial support for fieldwork
• Academic visibility
• Regional research engagement
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration
• Access to networks in African food studies and humanities research

As food systems continue to shape debates around sustainability, culture, mobility, and economic development, this fellowship supports research that contributes to understanding Africa’s rapidly changing food landscapes.

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