Restitution and Reparation: Africa and the Post-Colonial Condition Fellowship

By fostering dialogue and research, the program aims to shed light on this critical issue and contribute to meaningful progress in returning looted artifacts to their rightful homes in Africa. This fellowship program aligns with The Africa Institute’s broader mission to foster critical thinking and dialogue around African and African diaspora studies. By bringing diverse voices and perspectives together, the program promises to advance crucial conversations about cultural heritage, historical accountability, and the path toward a more just future.

The program will run over the course of three academic semesters, beginning September 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2026. The fellowship program aims to host three expert fellows at different stages in their careers over a year-and-half period (Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Fall 2026).

Topics

• Research Project topics may include, but are not limited to:
  • The historical and contemporary debates on cultural restitution and reparation
  • Case studies of looted artifacts, human remains, or cultural heritage
  • The role of Western institutions (museums, archives, universities, etc.) in perpetuating or addressing colonial legacies
  • Neo-nationalist policies and campaigns for repatriation and restitution
  • The impact of racial reparations and lessons for cultural restitution

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must demonstrate a clear scholarly focus on restitution, repatriation, and reparation of cultural heritage, particularly in the context of Africa and African diaspora, and the post-colonial condition. Preference will be given to scholars whose work bridges multiple disciplines or engages diverse methodologies to explore the theme. The research must be original, feasible within the fellowship duration, and impactful for ongoing and future debates around restitution and reparations. Awarded fellows are required to submit a publishable paper or chapter based on their fellowship research as part of the final publication by the end of the fellowship program.
• Candidates must have a minimum of a master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant specialization and/or area of research.
• Candidates must demonstrate how their research aligns with and contributes to the broader objectives of the Open Society-funded project, including the lecture series, residential fellowships, conference, and final publication.
• Fellows are expected to present their work as part of The Africa Institute’s lecture series and participate in the final conference and publication of its proceedings.

Application Requirements

• All files must be submitted in PDF format, combined into one file, to streamline the review process. The required documents should be submitted in the below order:
  • Candidates must submit a detailed research proposal/letter of interest (1,500–2,000 words) outlining the abstract for the publishable paper, project goals, research questions, methodology, and intended outcomes. The proposal must articulate how their work contributes to the larger conversation on restitution, repatriation, and reparations, as framed by the synopsis
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Two sample writings (e.g., articles and book chapters)
  • Two reference letters from a specialist in an area relevant to the fellowship themes and objectives.

For more information, visit The Africa Institute.