About the Fellowship

The IFRA Research Fellowship is an academic extension of IFRA-Nigeria. It is comprised of a group of volunteer researchers (Junior and Senior scholars) drawn from various universities and research institutions in Nigeria and beyond. The primary aim of the Fellowship is to create a network of researchers for the advancement of scholarship in the humanities and social sciences. The Fellowship also seeks to achieve the following cardinal objectives:
a) Bring academics and researchers together for the purpose of generating and developing new research frontiers.
b) Encourage Junior scholars to report field research, in the form of scientific presentations at conferences and seminars, and to make scientific contributions to edited volumes, working papers and reputable journals.
c) Organise seminars, training, workshops and personality lectures for the capacity development of Fellows.
d) Provide small grants to Research Fellows to undertake scientific projects in line with IFRA-Nigeria’s research agenda.
e) Encourage the exchange of information and research materials among researchers.

Who is qualified to be a Fellow

The Fellowship is open to individuals who meet the following criteria:
a) Applicants must be post-graduate students, lecturers, or researchers from universities and research institutions, particularly in the humanities and social sciences, with a direct interest in Nigeria, Ghana, Niger or West African transnational issues.
b) Applicants to the Junior fellowship must have authored, within the last 12 months, at least one published academic paper, or one unpublished working paper, or one paper presented at a scholarly conference/seminar.
c) Applicants to Senior fellowship must have a PhD in the relevant discipline and must have also published, within the last 18 months, at least one scholarly book, or have authored two academic papers (either published or accepted for publication in a reputable journal or in a scholarly edited volume).
d) Applicants must show interest in scholarship, team work, personal development, and peer training.

How to apply

Application is FREE and can be made online from 15 April to 15 June each year. To apply, please follow these instructions:
 Log on to the home page of IFRA-Nigeria’s official website (www.ifra-nigeria.org)
 Click the IFRA Research Fellows link (on the right side of the screen or at the bottom of the page, depending on your browser)
 Click on Application Form
 Complete the Application Form and submit online using the SUBMIT button on the lower end of the application.
 Your application will be reviewed by our Board of Admissions, and an official answer sent to you.
 Application must be renewed annually.

Structure of the Fellowship

The Headquarters of IFRA Research Fellowship is situated within the serene environment of the University of Ibadan (Institute of African Studies). The Fellowship also has regional offices in Ahmadu Bellow University, Zaria (North); University of Nigeria, Nsukka (East and South-South); and University of Ibadan (South-West). The Obafemi Awolowo University branch is under the University of Ibadan regional office.
Each of the regions is supervised by a Regional Coordinator and an Assistant Coordinator. A National Coordinator and an Assistant Coordinator manage the Headquarters in Ibadan. Coordination is gender-balanced and all officers volunteer their time, knowledge and energy.
Activities of the Fellowship are under the monitoring and supervision of the IFRA-Nigeria directorate, which should be kept informed of all local and regional initiatives.

For further enquiries:
fellows@ifra-nigeria.org
Ph: 08056683323 or 07067422226

IFRA Research Fellows - April 2012