Are you a visionary changemaker committed to decolonial praxis, racial justice, and reparatory advocacy in Africa or Europe? The AfaRise Fellowship 2025-2027 is now accepting applications! This groundbreaking virtual program by the African Futures Lab (AfaLab) is designed to equip a new generation of leaders with the tools, networks, and platform to advance systemic change across the continent and its diaspora.
In this post, we break down all you need to know about the AfaRise Fellowship 2025-2027, including program structure, eligibility, benefits, and how to apply.
About the AfaRise Fellowship 2025–2027
Launched by Black scholars Liliane Umubyeyi and Amah Edoh, the AfaRise Fellowship 2025-2027 is a fully virtual, two-year leadership journey that centers on decolonial knowledge, Afro-feminist leadership, and reparatory justice.
The fellowship was born in response to the global reckoning on racial injustice, particularly following the Black Lives Matter movement. Through AfaRise, AfaLab aims to nurture the next generation of transformative actors leading the charge for equity, systemic reform, and cultural renewal across Africa and Europe.
Vision and Objectives
At its core, the AfaRise Fellowship seeks to:
- Dismantle systems of racial injustice through decolonial and reparatory approaches.
- Support leaders in reshaping public narratives, influencing policy, and initiating lasting change.
- Build a global community of scholars, activists, and creatives working toward racial justice.
This vision is deeply rooted in AfaLab’s wider mobilisation strategy, which combines research, advocacy, and creative mobilisation to drive structural reforms and social healing.
Fellowship Structure and Format
The AfaRise Fellowship 2025-2027 is:
- Fully virtual, ensuring accessibility for participants across Africa and Europe.
- Two years long, running from 2025 through 2027.
- Composed of bi-monthly online sessions, which include:
- Peer-to-peer learning circles
- Mentorship by expert practitioners
- Workshops and collaborative labs
- Access to AfaLab’s global strategic network
- Opportunities to showcase your work (e.g., podcasts, community campaigns, research publications)
Fellows are also supported in developing their own initiatives, such as exhibitions, podcasts, books, and other forms of public scholarship rooted in racial justice and reparations.
Fellowship Support and Benefits
AfaRise provides:
- A €200 stipend for every working session attended.
- Ongoing mentorship and co-creation opportunities with AfaLab’s research and advocacy teams.
- Access to platforms for sharing your work, including digital publications, online events, and media partnerships.
The fellowship is designed not only to empower but also to sustain the intellectual and creative labor of decolonial and reparatory leaders.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the AfaRise Fellowship 2025-2027, applicants must:
- Be based in Africa or Europe.
- Be actively involved in work around racial justice, decoloniality, or reparations—whether through research, activism, media, or community engagement.
- Be ready to commit to a virtual, bi-monthly program across two years.
- Propose a project or idea that aligns with the fellowship’s core values and transformative goals.
Application Deadline
- Deadline to Apply: 31 July 2025
This is a highly competitive and meaningful opportunity to be part of a dynamic cohort of decolonial thinkers and doers across the globe. Early applications are encouraged!
How to Apply for the AfaRise Fellowship 2025-2027
Submit your application via the official link below:
🔗 Apply Here
🔗 Read More About the Program
Be sure to review the full eligibility criteria and prepare a compelling project idea that speaks to the themes of reparatory justice and decoloniality.
✍🏾 Final Tips from the GrantsDatabase.org Team
To stand out in your AfaRise Fellowship 2025-2027 application:
- Ground your project in local and global decolonial struggles.
- Highlight prior engagement in racial justice or Afro-feminist work.
- Be clear about the impact, innovation, and community reach of your proposed initiative.
If you need expert help to refine or review your application, contact grantsdatabase.org for proposal drafting, refinning and review.
Apply now and take your decolonial and racial justice work to the next level with the AfaRise Fellowship 2025-2027.
