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Welcome to AOWS!

The Africa Online Workshop Series (AOWS) is a collaborative initiative co-organized by the �ǿմ�ý (IPSA) and the African Association of Political Science (AAPS). This inaugural program is designed to support the next generation of political scientists across the African continent. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the scholarly exchange—applications open on 8 June until 9 July 2026. Supported by generous funding from the Nippon Foundation, the event will take place from 1-3 September 2026.

Operating in two distinct linguistic tracks—English and French—the AOWS provides a unique bilingual platform for graduate students and junior scholars to refine their research methodologies, cultivate professional expertise, and foster international scholarly collaboration. 

The AOWS aim is to empower early-career scholars through four complimentary pillars. First, they strengthen research skills by offering detailed feedback on manuscripts and work-in-progress. Second, they support professional growth by developing key competencies in areas such as academic publishing, networking, and grant seeking. Third, participants receive mentorship from experienced workshop co-leaders. Finally, the program fosters networking by connecting scholars working on similar themes across the continent. These workshops are only available to accepted and registered workshop participants.

Workshop Format

The AOWS is a 12-hour online program conducted on 1-3 September 2026. To ensure high-quality experience and extensive commentary on participant writing, each language track is limited to 12-15 participants.

The program consists of an on-demand video resource regarding international study opportunities to be released on 30 August 2026, as well as a selective workshop for admitted participants featuring professional development sessions, thematic research discussions, and dedicated presentation sessions for peer and expert feedback.

2026 Theme | The Politics of Sustainable Development and Agrarian Governance

For each biennial edition, the AOWS focuses on a critical contemporary issue facing Africa. For the inaugural edition of 2026, the workshop will explore "The Politics of Sustainable Development and Agrarian Governance", examining the political, economic, and environmental drivers of food systems and rural transformation.

Benefits for Participants

• The workshop is completely free of charge.
• Participants who complete all sessions receive an official certificate.
• Completed participants are eligible to apply for small research grants to further their work.
• One complimentary registration for an �ǿմ�ýconference (either the World Congress or a Regional Conference).

Call for Applications | 8 JUN – 9 JUL 2026

AOWS Co-Chairs 

Kgothatso Shai
Full Professor of Political Science and Head of the Department of Cultural & Political Studies (University of Limpopo, South Africa)

Serge Granger
Full Professor and Director of the School of Applied Policy (Université de Sherbrooke, Canada)

Steering Committee 

• (Cairo University, Egypt)
• Boka Marie (Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d'Ivoire)
• (University of Malawi, Malawi)
• (University of Johannesburg, South Africa)
• (German Institute of Development and Sustainability, German)
• (University West, Sweden)

Important

Participants are expected to engage and participate in the discussion of all manuscripts / research projects in the workshops within their language track. Participants must hold an �ǿմ�ýmembership. Fees are tiered based on the Worls Bank’s country income classifications, with additional discounted rates available for students.

Learn more about the �ǿմ�ýAfrica Online Workshop Series by exploring the sections (tabs above) on Key Dates, Guidelines, Call for Proposals, and Registration.

Key Dates 

Guidelines

The IPSA-AAPS AOWS is a free, bilingual online workshop series. Organized around an annual theme—which for 2026 is “The Politics of Sustainable Development and Agrarian Governance”—the program is designed to foster collaboration and advance research excellence among young scholars across the African continent. The workshop runs two separate parallel language tracks: one entirely in English and one entirely in French. Participants must apply for the track that matches their primary language of research. 

The AOWS is facilitated by four co-leaders per language track (English and French), who are experts on the annual theme. They are responsible for selecting the participants, developing the curriculum, and leading thematic discussions via Zoom. These leaders provide direct mentorship and feedback to participants.

Who can apply?

This workshop is tailored for graduate students and early-career scholars (within ten years of Ph.D. completion) who currently hold an affiliation with an institution based in Africa.

What is the stage of research co-leaders are looking for?

One should apply with a manuscript or research project in progress. The work must not be co-authored and must not have been previously published or accepted for publication elsewhere.

Participant Responsibilities

If your application is accepted, participants are required to:

• Register from 31 July to 21 August 2026.
• Be available at all scheduled times of your language track from 1-3 September 2026.
• Participate and take an active role in discussing all papers presented within your language track.
• Assure a continuous internet connection throughout the AOWS.

Time Zone

Starting at 10:00 GMT. 

• Cape Verde: GMT-1 (9:00 local time). 
• West Africa: GMT+0 (10:00 local time). 
• Central and West Africa: GMT+1 (11:00 local time). 
• South and Central Africa: GMT+2 (12:00 local time). 
• East Africa: GMT+3 (13:00 local time). 
• Mauritius: GMT+4 (14:00 local time). 

Consult the  to lookup your time zone.

Who should I contact if I ever have a problem?

In case of any issues or questions regarding the application process, you should send an email to events@ipsa.org. Please do not contact the workshop co-leaders or the steering committee directly.

Will I receive an official certificate?

Yes. Participants who successfully complete the workshop will receive and official certificate of completion. However, please note that you must attend all scheduled sessions to be eligible for the certificate.

What is the total funding amount for the small research grant, and what specific criteria will the co-leaders take into consideration when evaluating applications?

For the 2026 series, the total funding for research grants is $2,000 USD. This is distributed as four individual grants for $500 USD each (two grants awarded per language track). To be eligible, you must first complete the workshop. The four co-leaders of each track will then collectively decide the recipients at the end of the workshop based on the quality and development of their work during the program. Awardees will be publicly announced on 14 September 2026.

Call for Proposals

The �ǿմ�ý (IPSA) and the African Association of Political Science (AAPS) are pleased to announce a call for applications for the inaugural Africa Online Workshop Series (AOWS). This biannual three-day online workshop offers a unique opportunity for early-career scholars and graduate students across the African continent to enhance their research, build professional skills, and engage in international scholarly exchange.

The theme for this year's workshop is “The Politics of Sustainable Development and Agrarian Governance”. Supported by generous funding from the Nippon Foundation, the event will take place from 1-3 September 2026. The AOWS seek for regional and gender balance and include younger scholars, in accordance with the diversity policy in IPSA's Mission Statement.

Participation in this workshop is free of charge. If selected, she/they/he must attend all sessions, upload her/their/his paper one week before the workshop, and be an active member of �ǿմ�ýto receive the certificate of participation (instructions will be send via email). For more information on how to become a member, please visit /membership/individual.

Workshop Topics

We welcome paper proposals addressing, but not limited to the following:

• The Political Economy of Land Governance
• Climate Justice and International Negotiations
• Conflict, Migration, and Resource Competition
• Democratization and Rural Voting Blocs
• Gender, Agency, and Agrarian Reform
• Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Adaptation
• Water governance
• Cultural transformation in agriculture
• Food security and geopolitics
• Development diplomacy, aid and the politics of food sovereignty
• Indigenous approaches to governing Agricultural commons

How to Apply

Applications for the 2026 IPSA-AAPS African Online Workshop Series must be submitted through the official online JotfForm application available below. The application period opens on 8 June 2026, and all materials must be received by 9 July 2026. Applications must be submitted in either English or French, corresponding to the language track for which you are applying.

A complete application includes:

1. The completed online Application form.
2. A detailed and recent Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume, highlighting your academic background, research experience, and current affiliation with an Africa-based institution
3. Statement of Interest/Research Statement (1,000 words max.) describing the work-in-progress you propose to develop and present at the workshop.
4. A letter of reference that should be on official letterhead and sent as an electronic file on your Application form.
5. An active �ǿմ�ýMembership. Applicants must be individual members of �ǿմ�ýor be prepared to join upon selection. Membership is typically free or discounted for students and scholars affiliated with institutions in many African countries.

The application form will be available on 8 June 2026. No emails with PDFs or Word documents will be accepted as submissions.

Before submitting your proposal, please ensure to be available from 1-3 September 2026 at 10:00 GMT:

• Consult the  to lookup your time zone.

Important Details

The �ǿմ�ýAOWS is an online event scheduled to happens on 1-3 September 2026. Participants are expected to be available at all times and actively engage in all sessions.

Participants who attend all sessions and comply to co-leaders will receive an official certificate for their involvement in the 2026 IPSA-AOWS, along with valuable feedback that can enhance their work-in-progress prior to presentation at a broader conference or for publication. AOWS stands as an excellent opportunity for building research networks with scholars in Africa and elsewhere.

Key Deadlines

You may also refer to all Key Dates. 

Registration

�ǿմ�ýAOWS is an online event for active �ǿմ�ýindividual members, based in African institutes. 

While all AOWS participants are required to hold a current �ǿմ�ýmembership, registration is provided free of charge, thanks to the generous support of the Nippon Foundation.

Non-members will have to become �ǿմ�ýmembers before registering as AOWS participants. Most of the candidates can benefit from discounts either by country of residence and/or by proving a student status. Refer to the list of countries by group.

Become a Member

Key Dates

You may also refer to all Key Dates.