Deadline: July 31, 2025
Are you a Master’s or PhD student passionate about Africa’s rich cultural and natural heritage? The AWHF Moses Mapesa Education and Research Grant 2025 is now open for applications! This prestigious opportunity, provided by the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), supports African students conducting field-based research at UNESCO World Heritage Sites or national Tentative List sites across the continent.
This blog post provides all the details you need to apply, including eligibility, required documents, deadlines, and expert advice from Grant Database to help you submit a strong proposal.
About the AWHF Moses Mapesa Education and Research Grant 2025
The AWHF Moses Mapesa Education and Research Grant 2025 supports African postgraduate students conducting fieldwork that contributes to the conservation, enhancement, and understanding of World Heritage in Africa. The grant honors the legacy of Dr. Moses Mapesa, a leading figure in African heritage conservation.
Funded research must take place at a UNESCO World Heritage Site or a site on the Tentative List in Africa and should address one or more key heritage themes.
Key Research Themes
Eligible research topics include, but are not limited to:
- Traditional management systems and custodianship
- Climate change and risk resilience at heritage sites
- Heritage conservation and site sustainability
- Heritage economics and community benefit
- Legal frameworks, digital technologies, and intergenerational knowledge
- Post-conflict site recovery and reconstruction
Grant Value and Duration
- Amount: Up to USD 5,000 per successful applicant
- Fieldwork Period: Approximately May 2026 to February 2027 (9 months total)
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a citizen of an African Union member state that is party to the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention
- Be enrolled (or to be enrolled) in 2026 in a Master’s (M2 for Francophone students) or PhD program at an African university
- Be fluent in English, French, or Portuguese
- Have a research project tied to a World Heritage or Tentative List site in Africa
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following:
- Completed application form, signed by your academic supervisor
- A 1-page motivation letter
- A 2-page CV
- Proof of enrolment or admission at a university in Africa
- A 2-page research proposal including:
- Title and summary
- Research context, objectives, and methodology
- Timeline and key activities
- Bibliography
- Detailed budget outlining all funding sources and how the grant will be used for fieldwork
Note: Incomplete or incorrectly formatted applications will not be considered.
Deadline and Notification
- Application Deadline: July 31, 2025 (Midnight, SAST)
- Results Notification: January 31, 2026
Reporting Requirements
If awarded, grantees must:
- Submit a refined project summary and proof of academic registration
- Submit a final research/thesis report and financial report upon completion
- Complete all research within the 9-month fieldwork period (May 2026–February 2027). Failure to meet this may result in repayment of the grant.
How to Apply
- To apply now, visit: Apply for AWHF Moses Mapesa Grant 2025
- To read more about the program, visit: AWHF Moses Mapesa 2025 Overview
🧠 Expert Advice from Grant Database
According to the GrantsDatabase.org expert panel:
“A compelling proposal should directly address a conservation challenge or knowledge gap at the selected heritage site. Your methodology must be clearly aligned with the site context, and your budget should reflect realistic, justifiable costs. Strong letters of support from academic supervisors and site custodians can significantly strengthen your application.”
📬 Need Help with Your Proposal?
To maximize your chances of success, contact grantsdatabase.org for proposal drafting, refining, and review. Their team of experts offers tailored support to help you build a strong and competitive application that meets the AWHF’s expectations.
