For Undergraduate Students:
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Awards are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the African Studies Program to assist students in acquiring African language and area studies competencies. Applications due 11:59PM on Feb 14 Learn more>>
The Farha Tahir Award in African History supports an outstanding undergraduate student studying African History at UW-Madison. This fund may be used at the department’s discretion for writing prizes or research awards, and up to two awards of $1,000 each will be made in the spring 2023 term. This award is given to both History and non-History majors/certificate students, and any student who has written about or is planning to do research in African history is encouraged to apply. Questions about this award can be directed to undergraduateprogram@history.wisc.edu.
Boren Scholarships ($8,000 – $20,000) fund undergraduate students to study abroad in world regions critical to US interests. Funding can be used to study abroad in Senegal, Mozambique, Tanzania, Ghana, and South Africa. This program was established by the National Security and Education Program and is administered by the Institute of International Education.
For Graduate Students
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Awards
Supports students to acquire African language and area studies competencies. Applications due 11:59PM CST on Feb 14. Learn more>>
IRIS Graduate Student Summer Fieldwork Award | $3,000
Supports UW-Madison graduate students planning to conduct 6-8 weeks of summer fieldwork outside of the United States. Any continuing graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison may apply for these awards. Students may also be eligible for the BLAC Foundation $1000 supplementary award. Applications due 11:59PM CST on Feb 14. Learn more>>
International Division Pre-Dissertation Travel Scholarships | $5000
Supports overseas travel to potential field research sites for doctoral students. Applications due 11:59PM CST on Feb 14. Learn more>>
The International Studies Teaching Fellow
Gives students the opportunity to develop and teach an International Studies special topics course to undergraduate students. Not currently accepting applications. Learn more>>
The Africa 277 Teaching Fellow
Gives students the opportunity to develop curriculum for the undergraduate survey course and serve as the lead summer instructor. Not currently accepting applications. Learn more>>
The Madison College Teaching Fellow
Gives students the opportunity to develop and teach an in-person African Studies course at Madison College. Not currently accepting applications. Learn more>>
The Laura Bassi Scholarship
Awards a total of $10,000 twice annually for editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study. Rolling deadlines. Learn more>>
African Studies Program Research Award | $4000
Supports international travel for graduate student research or creative/artistic endeavors related to the study of Africa and the diaspora. Graduate students in good standing from any department or program are eligible to apply. Applications due 11:59PM CST on Feb 14. Learn more>>
Crawford Young Fellowship Fund in African Politics
Supports graduate students to carry out research and writing on African politics. Preference will be given to international students and to students from underrepresented groups or populations. Applications are due Mar 1. Learn more>>
Tejumola Olaniyan International Student Travel Award | $4000
Supports travel for international students engaged in the study Global Black Cultures. International graduate students in good standing from any department or program who are engaged in research, archival work, and/or creative endeavors related to Global Black Cultures are eligible to apply. Students must hold a F, J, or M visas. Applications due 11:59PM CST on Feb 14. Learn more>>
William A. Brown Research Award | $4000
Supports international travel for research on Islam or West African history. Graduate students in good standing from any department or program who are engaged in the study of Islam or West African history. Applications due 11:59PM CST on Feb 14. Learn more>>
The Ebrahim Hussein Fellowship
Supports research in African expressive cultures. The award was established in the College of Letters and Science in 2003 thanks to the generosity of Robert M. Philipson, alumnus of the College of Letters and Science (PhD’89). The College will award up to $7500 each year to one or more full-time graduate students in L&S to carry out research on African expressive cultures in Africa and/or archives outside of the United States. The research must lead to a PhD dissertation, an MA thesis, or a publishable-quality paper. Doctoral students may receive up to $7500 each; MA level students may receive up to $3750 each. Learn more>>
The African Studies Jordan Prize | $1000
Awarded annually to a UW-Madison graduate student for the year’s best paper on Africa. To be considered for the prize, a paper must be nominated and submitted to the African Studies Program by a UW-Madison faculty member. Applications are due May 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM CST. Learn more>>
The Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad
Provides opportunities to doctoral candidates to engage in full-time dissertation research abroad in modern foreign languages and area studies. Learn more>>
Boren Fellowships
Funds graduate student research and intensive language study. Learn more>>
For Faculty and Staff:
The Fulbright Scholar Program
Offers U.S. faculty, administrators, and professionals grants to lecture, conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields, or to participate in seminars. Deadlines vary. Learn more >>
Complimentary African Studies Association Membership
Available to any UW-Madison African Studies affiliate. Requests due January 31. Learn more>>
Complimentary ASA Registration
Available to any affiliate wishing to attend the 2023 ASA annual meeting in San Francisco. Requests due September 1.
Nominate an Africa at Noon speaker. The nomination period is now open for the 2025-26 academic year. Support available for domestic and international speakers. Nominations due February 14. Learn more>>
Request co-sponsorship. The African Studies Program routinely provides letters of support and in-kind or financial contributions for Africa-related event and activities. Requests are considered on a rolling basis. Please email your request to aleia.mccord@wisc.edu