Are you a young, passionate changemaker from West Africa eager to build a career in governance, security, or public policy? Applications are now open for the prestigious Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Junior Fellowship Programme 2025/26, hosted in Dakar, Senegal and fully funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
This 10-month immersive fellowship offers a transformative experience for emerging leaders across West Africa—particularly young women—to work directly on the region’s most pressing governance and human security challenges.
About the Fellowship
- Host Institution: Institute for Security Studies (ISS)
- Location: Dakar, Senegal
- Duration: 10 Months
- Start Date: 2025/2026 Cohort
- Funding: Fully Funded (includes monthly stipend, housing, airfare, insurance)
- Deadline: Rolling (Apply early!)
Fellowship Highlights
Fellows will:
- Work alongside leading African researchers and policy experts
- Explore complex topics in gender, geopolitics, and human security
- Engage in real-time policy development and advocacy
- Build an expansive network of professionals across Africa
- Receive personal mentorship and career development support
Fellowship Benefits (Fully Funded Package)
All selected fellows will receive:
- A monthly stipend to cover living expenses
- Full health insurance throughout the program
- Free accommodation in Dakar, Senegal
- Round-trip airfare from your home country
- One-on-one mentorship with ISS researchers
- Access to a continent-wide professional network
Who Should Apply?
This fellowship is designed for young West African professionals who are:
- Under 30 years of age
- Citizens of a West African country
- Holders of a Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. political science, law, international studies, sociology, anthropology, etc.)
- Proficient in English or French (knowledge of local languages is a plus)
- Passionate about human rights, governance, security, and global affairs
- Team-oriented, proactive, and eager to learn
Eligible Countries
Open to applicants from all West African countries, including but not limited to:
Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Benin, Togo, Niger, The Gambia, and Cape Verde.
How to Apply
Ready to kickstart your career in African policy and leadership?
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