Description
The Africa-China Initiative (ACI) at the Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS) at Georgetown University is pleased to partner with The Center for African Studies (CAS) at Howard University to offer an 18-month (3 semester) Africa-China Post-Doctoral Fellowship. The purpose of the ACI Fellowship is to expand African scholarship, expertise, and perspectives on the study of Africa-China relations (and more broadly, Africa-Asia and Global South) by supporting research by an early-career scholar, and to elevate the teaching at Georgetown University and Howard University and across the Washington, DC area.
The ACI Post-Doctoral Fellowship is open to non-tenured and tenured holders of PhDs. We are particularly interested in early- and mid-career scholars with a broad range of international experience, and a strong Africa-China research record.
The ACI Post-Doctoral Fellow must be in residence in the Washington, DC area for at least 18 months, and will spend approximately half their time at Georgetown and half at Howard. These terms must be consecutive. The ACI Post-Doctoral Fellowship is funded through the ACI – Henry Luce Foundation grant and will be administered by Georgetown University. It will begin Spring Semester 2027 (January 2027) and end at the end of Spring Semester 2028 (June 2028).
Remuneration is at the rate of $72,000 a year, plus benefits. One round-trip domestic or international flight for the entirety of the fellowship period will also be provided. There may be opportunities for domestic travel (within the US) to at least one academic conference or workshop or other opportunities, if funds are available.
During the fellowship period, the ACI Post-Doctoral Fellow will split their time supporting the work of Georgetown University’s Africa-China Initiative (ACI) and African Studies Program at GU, and the Africa-China activities of Howard University’s Center for African Studies and African Studies Department. The ACI Post-Doctoral Fellow will be expected to deliver one public lecture at each of the two institutions, guest lecture on the Fellow’s areas of expertise in relevant courses, and speak with and mentor students, as possible. ACI Post-Doctoral Fellow is encouraged to take advantage of the Washington, DC location including, The Library of Congress, The National Archives, and meetings with experts and leaders in government, diplomatic missions, and at research centers and think tanks.
Qualifications
The fellowship will be awarded to a doctoral graduate (Ph.D.) from an accredited university. Applicants must have a record of relevant research in the disciplines of history, political science, international relations/affairs, global studies, sociology, economics, anthropology or related disciplines. Applicants will be assessed on the originality and quality of their scholarship, and their interest and research record on Africa-China issues. We are especially keen to hear from applicants with an interest in human mobility and its impacts; climate change, natural resource extraction/exploitation, and environmental issues; trade and debt; changing global power dynamics and influences; OR transregional (and inter-regional) engagements as they relate to Africa-China.
Application Instructions
Application Requirements:
– Cover letter
– Curriculum Vitae (CV)
– Two reference letters (must be received by October 31, 2026)
– 500 -word research / publication proposal for the fellowship
– Writing sample (dissertation chapter, book chapter, or article)
All applications and supporting materials must be submitted through the following link: apply.interfolio.com/194969.
Applications for the 2027-2028 ACI Fellowship will be reviewed beginning October 25, 2026. Questions about the fellowship may be directed to Dr. Lahra Smith, PI, at ls356@georgetown.edu
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse faculty and staff. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or other categories protected by law.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please click here: (https://ideaa.georgetown.edu/accommodations/procedures/applicants) for more information, or contact the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance (OEOC) at (202) 687-4798.
Apply here: https://apply.interfolio.com/194969
Africa-China Post-Doctoral Fellowship – Georgetown University and Howard University
