Call for Proposals: Graduate Attachment Scheme – Africa and UK

The scheme also provides applicants with the opportunity to gain practical research experience and develop their networks in a three-month enrolment at the BIEA in Nairobi, Kenya.

Benefits

• The BIEA will cover the cost of travel to and from Nairobi, and a visa if required for the period of the attachment.
• Graduate attachés will also receive a monthly stipend for the duration of their attachment, and the BIEA will assist in identifying suitable accommodation if needed.

Program Specifications

• BIEA graduate attachés will:
  • Develop their research interests in the region using their well-stocked library to work on a literature review.
  • Gain practical experience of conducting research in Eastern Africa, including using archives, visiting potential research sites, and working as a research assistant for innovative historical, archaeological, anthropological, political science or legal projects.
  • Establish international networks with early career and established researchers.
  • Gain administrative skills and experience by assisting the BIEA in the organisation of events and in the day-to-day activities of the institute.
  • Enroll for beginner, intermediate or advanced Kiswahili classes (if needed).

Duration

• The GAS scheme will run in two cohorts:  July – September and September – November 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible, applicants must:
  • Have a strong academic record: at a minimum you must be a final year undergraduate student close to completion in humanities or social sciences, intending to proceed to a masters. They welcome applications from recent masters’ students who are intending to proceed to PhD.
  • Have some experience of studying/researching in or about Africa, and a clear interest in developing your own research and future academic career in this area.
  • Be able to show significant initiative and be ready to offer enthusiastic assistance for various research projects and subsequent data analysis.
  • Be based in either the UK or Eastern Africa (any of the 18 countries stretching from Sudan to Mozambique).
  • Should not have received any previous awards from the BIEA.

For more information, visit BIEA.