Call for Applications: ALC Peace, Security and Development Fellowships for 2026/2027
The African Leadership Centre (ALC) is pleased to announce a call for applications for its Peace, Security & Development Fellowships and Associate Fellowships for the academic year 2026/2027.
About the ALC
Established in 2010, the African Leadership Centre (ALC) seeks to build an inter-generational community of transformative leaders producing cutting-edge knowledge that serves as a catalyst for a new peace, security and development agenda in Africa. To this effect, the Centre produces and deploys multi-dimensional forms of knowledge, builds a mass of inter-generational community of value driven leaders, facilitates a catalytic ‘public square’ to set a new agenda for Africa, and enhances the ALC Hub to produce and manage knowledge(s). The Centre pursues its vision of building an inter-generational community of value driven transformative leaders from its bases in Nairobi, Kenya and King’s College, London.
Core Values: The ALC’s programmes are guided by a commitment to promoting African-led ideas and processes of change, pursuing excellence, encouraging independent thinking, respecting diversity in all its forms—including gender, religion, class, and beliefs—recognizing youth agency, and upholding integrity.
Learn more about our ALC institutions in Nairobi here and at King’s College London here
AFRICAN LEADERSHIP CENTRE FELLOWSHIPS
For the academic year 2026/ 2027, the ALC will offer four types of fellowships, namely:
Fellowships for African Scholars in Peace, Security and Development;
Peace and Security Fellowships for Sudanese Women (Non-Degree Awarding);
Associate Fellowship Bursaries for African Students in Peace, Security and Development (degree awarding); and
Bursaries for Associate Fellowships in Global Leadership and Peacebuilding for the Global South (degree awarding).
1. Fellowships for African Scholars in Peace, Security and Development (degree awarding):
About this fellowship
This award is designed for young African scholars passionate about a career in leadership, security, and development, to impact discourse and practice in these areas.
Spanning eighteen (18) months, this fellowship combines rigorous academic research, impactful writing, and policy analysis on leadership, security, and development issues, culminating in a six (6) month attachment at a leading African university, regional organization, or Centre of Excellence on the continent.
This program exposes fellows to the most pressing leadership, security, and development challenges of the continent, using modalities of learning that integrate a master’s program on Global Leadership and Peacebuilding at King’s College London with a uniquely tailored mentoring program—comprising numerous group mentoring sessions, simulation practices, one-on-one and peer-to-peer mentoring sessions, institutional visits, and attachment.
Upon completion, fellows emerge with academic knowledge, research skills, mentorship training, and practical experience, connected to a network of distinguished African experts in peace, security, and development to take part in setting a new peace, security and development agenda for Africa.
This is a fully funded opportunity, excluding visa application and processing costs. Funds will cover tuition, subsistence in the UK and Africa, accommodation, research-related costs, and all travel expenses related to the programme
Eligibility and Applications
An ideal candidate for this fellowship is someone committed to the values of the ALC, affiliated with an academic or research institution in Africa, and deeply interested in advancing academic and policy knowledge in peace, security, and development to shape security discourses and practices in Africa and beyond. Please refer to the attached document for eligibility requirements.
Learn more about the Fellowships for African Scholars in Peace Security and Development (degree-awarding) programme including the eligibility criteria, phases of the programme, terms and application process here. To apply for this programme, applicants will need to create an account on the King’s website here and complete all necessary steps until you submit your application successfully. When prompted to select your programme on the King’s application portal, choose Peace & Security Fellowship. Do not select MSc in Global Leadership and Peacebuilding. In addition to applying to the above Peace and Security Fellowship programme on the King's system, applicants need to make a separate application through the ALC-Nairobi portal for the fellowship programme here. This link will lead you to a registration portal where you need to first register an account and login to the ALC application system before you see all the information you need about the programme.
2. Peace and Security Fellowships for Sudanese Women (Non-Degree Awarding)
About this Fellowship
The Peace and Security Fellowships for Sudanese Women bring together Sudanese women who are actively responding to the crisis in Sudan and its wide-ranging impact on women and girls. The programme is for women who are already engaged in activism or leadership — whether through women’s groups, youth networks, or community initiatives — and who are working to influence conflict dynamics and advance peace efforts in Sudan. It is a postgraduate, non-degree residential programme based in Nairobi, exposing participants to the complexities of conflict, security, and development.
It comprises six months of intensive mentoring and participation in academic modules delivered by King’s College London and the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Nairobi, followed by a six-month professional placement at an African regional organisation or centre of excellence.
The fellowship aligns with key regional and international frameworks on youth and women’s participation, gender equality, and Women, Peace and Security—including UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 2250, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the African Union Agenda 2063.
Upon completion, Fellows emerge equipped with advanced knowledge, professional skills, mentoring experience, and practical expertise. Connected to a distinguished network of African experts and practitioners in peace, security, and development, they are empowered to play a pivotal role in shaping a new peace, security, and development agenda for Sudan.
The 2026–2027 ALC Sudanese Women's Fellowship is offered in collaboration with Africans for the Horn of Africa Initiatives (Af4HA).
Eligibility and Applications
Requirements include being female citizens of Sudan residing in the Horn of Africa, proven record of experience with women’s rights and gender issues in Sudan, adherence and commitment to ALC values, and demonstrable capacity to undertake research on issues relating to peace, security and development in Sudan. Please refer to the attached document for eligibility requirements.
Learn more about the Peace and Security Fellowships for Sudanese Women (Non-Degree Awarding) including the eligibility criteria, phases of the programme, terms and application process here. Applications to this programme will be accepted online here. This link will lead you to a registration portal where you need to first register an account and login to the ALC application system before you see all the information you need about the programme. The deadline for applications is 23:59 hrs EAT, 24 May 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be expected to attend face-to-face interviews at the ALC continental headquarters, in Nairobi, Kenya in mid-June.
3. Associate Fellowship Bursaries for African Students in Peace, Security and Development (degree awarding)
About this fellowship
This associate fellowship bursary is available to African students applying for the MSc Global Leadership and Peacebuilding at King's College London, for the 2026/27 academic year (beginning in September 2026). It is available to students studying full time only. The bursary is available to young Africans who are keen to pursue careers in leadership, security, and development to transform their society.
Successful applicants will receive 25 per cent of the MSc Global Leadership and Peacebuilding tuition fees at King’s College London for the 2026/27 academic year in addition to five thousand pounds (£5,000) as a contribution to their cost of living in London.
This fellowship combines rigorous academic research, impactful writing, and policy analysis on leadership, security, and development issues. This program exposes fellows to the most pressing leadership, security, and development challenges of the continent, using modalities of learning that integrate a master’s program on Global Leadership and Peacebuilding at King’s College London with a uniquely tailored mentoring program—comprising numerous group-mentoring sessions, simulation practices, one-on-one and peer-to-peer mentoring sessions, institutional visits, and attachment.
Immediately after the MSc programme, Associate Fellows will also have an option to undertake a paid six-month attachment to a leading African university, regional organization, or centre of excellence.
Upon completion, associate fellows emerge with academic knowledge, research skills, mentorship training, and practical experience, connected to a network of distinguished African experts in peace, security, and development to propel their careers forward.
Eligibility and Application
Requirements include being a student from Africa, adherence and commitment to ALC values, and a demonstrated interest in leadership, security, and develoment issues. Please refer to the attached document for eligibility requirements.
Learn more about the Associate Fellowships for African Students in Peace Security and Development (degree-awarding) programme including the eligibility criteria, phases of the programme, terms and application process here. To apply for this programme, applicants will need to create an account on the King’s website here and complete all necessary steps until you submit your application successfully. When prompted to select your programme on the King’s application portal, choose Peace & Security Fellowship. Do not select MSc in Global Leadership and Peacebuilding. In addition to applying to the above Peace and Security Fellowship programme on the King's system, applicants need to make a separate application through the ALC-Nairobi portal for the fellowship programme here. This link will lead you to a registration portal where you need to first register an account and login to the ALC application system before you see all the information you need about the programme.
4. Bursaries for Associate Fellowships in Global Leadership and Peacebuilding for the Global South (degree awarding):
About this fellowship
This associate fellowship bursary is available to students from the Global South applying for the MSc Global Leadership and Peacebuilding at King's College London, for the 2026/27 academic year (beginning in September 2026). It is available to students studying full time only. The bursary is for students from the Global South who want careers in leadership, security, and development. This program dives into issues of leadership, security and development through a master’s in Global Leadership and Peacebuilding at King’s College London, and several other mentoring sessions, simulations, and one-on-one guidance. Fellows will tackle big issues - like why global peace efforts fail, the challenges of leadership in global institutions and collaboration across the Global South - gaining skills, knowledge, and connections to make a difference.
Successful applicants will receive 25 per cent of the MSc Global Leadership and Peacebuilding tuition fees at King’s College London for the 2026/27 academic year in addition to five thousand pounds (£5,000) as a contribution to their cost of living in London.
This fellowship combines rigorous academic research, impactful writing, and policy analysis on leadership, security, and development issues. This program exposes fellows to the most pressing leadership, security, and development challenges of the continent, using modalities of learning that integrate a master’s program on Global Leadership and Peacebuilding at King’s College London with a uniquely tailored mentoring program—comprising numerous group-mentoring sessions, simulation practices, one-on-one and peer-to-peer mentoring sessions, institutional visits, and attachment.
Immediately after the MSc programme, Associate Fellows will also have an option to undertake a short internship at an international institution or regional centre of excellence.
Upon completion, associate fellows emerge with academic knowledge, research skills, mentorship training, and practical experience, connected to a network of distinguished African experts in peace, security, and development to propel their careers forward.
Eligibility and Application
Requirements include being a student from the Global South, adherence and commitment to ALC values, and a demonstrated interest in leadership, security, and development issues. Please refer to the attached document for eligibility requirements.
Learn more about the Associate Fellowships for Students of the Global South in Global Leadership and Peacebuilding (degree-awarding) programme including the eligibility criteria, terms and application process here. To apply for this programme, applicants will need to create an account on the King’s website here and complete all necessary steps until you submit your application successfully. When prompted to select your programme on the King’s application portal, choose Peace & Security Fellowship. Do not select MSc in Global Leadership and Peacebuilding. In addition to applying to the above Peace and Security Fellowship programme on the King's system, applicants need to make a separate application through the ALC-Nairobi portal for the fellowship programme here. This link will lead you to a registration portal where you need to first register an account and login to the ALC application system before you see all the information you need about the programme.
BELOW FIND THE CALL FOR APPLICATION