[Research Funding – 31 July 2025] AWHF- Moses Mapesa Research Grant

Application deadline: 31 July, 2025

( 🇫🇷 Version française téléchargeable ci-dessous) – ( 🇵🇹 Versão em português para download abaixo)

The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an intergovernmental organization established in 2006 by the African Union and UNESCO to promote the effective conservation of Africa’s cultural and natural heritage of Outstanding Universal Value. Hosted by the Government of South Africa at the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the AWHF addresses the underrepresentation of African sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List and supports their management and protection. The Fund became a UNESCO Category II Centre in 2010.

Objectives

The Moses Mapesa Research Grant supports Master’s and Doctoral students at African universities conducting dissertation research on cultural or natural heritage in Africa. The goal is to build a new generation of African experts in heritage conservation by funding fieldwork-related activities at UNESCO World Heritage Sites or on sites listed on national Tentative Lists.

Key selection criteria

Eligible applicants must:

• Be enrolled or planning to register in 2026 in a Master’s (M2 for Francophone countries) or Doctoral programme at an African university;
• Be conducting research related to an African World Heritage or tentative listed site;
• Be citizens of a member state of the African Union that is party to the 1972 World Heritage Convention;
• Be fluent in English, French, or Portuguese.

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Eligibility of applicant;
• Completeness of the application package;
• Quality and relevance of the research topic;
• Contribution to World Heritage issues;
• Geographic, linguistic, and gender balance.

Thematic Priorities 

Research projects should focus on the following themes (applied to World Heritage or tentative sites in Africa):

• Traditional management systems
• Heritage risk management
• Heritage in (post-)conflict settings
• Conservation and management practices
• Heritage and climate change
• Presentation and interpretation
• Heritage and sustainable development
• Heritage and entrepreneurship
• Heritage law, police, and human rights
• Digital heritage, AI and technologies
• Authenticity and values
• Youth, memory, and intergenerational transmission

Related sites: UNESCO World Heritage List – UNESCO Tentative Lists

How to apply

Applicants must submit the following documents:

• Completed application form (co-signed by the academic supervisor)
• Motivation letter (1 page max)
• Curriculum vitae (2 pages max)
• Proof of course registration or admission letter
• Research proposal (2 pages max) including:
  • Research title, university, degree level, and associated heritage site
  • Objectives, research questions, methodology, timeframe
  • Expected results and relevance
  • Annotated bibliography
  • Budget and justification of fieldwork costs (Maximum grant: USD 5,000) 

The deadline for submitting applications is July 31, 2025.

Please use the online submission system via the following link :

• Application Form – English (Click Here)
• Application Form – French (Click Here)
• Formulário de inscrição – Portuguese (Click Here)

NB:

• Projects must be conducted between May 2026 and February 2027 (max 9 months).
• Reports (progress and final) will be required in English, French or Portuguese.
• An interdisciplinary committee will evaluate the applications. Final results will be announced by 31 January 2026.
• For queries, please contact: African World Heritage Fund, 1258 Lever Road, Headway

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About the organization

The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an intergovernmental organization established in 2006 by the African Union and UNESCO to promote the effective conservation of Africa’s cultural and natural heritage of Outstanding Universal Value. Hosted by the Government of South Africa at the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the AWHF addresses the underrepresentation of African sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List and supports their management and protection. The Fund became a UNESCO Category II Centre in 2010. Reach AWHF website.