The British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) invites applications for funding for original research projects in any discipline in the humanities and social sciences in eastern Africa. They will not consider projects that fall outside of these disciplinary areas (and will not, for example, fund projects in STEM subjects), but may consider projects in Africa beyond eastern Africa.

They define eastern Africa as stretching from Sudan down to Mozambique, and Zambia across to Madagascar. They particularly welcome applications from researchers or research teams who have limited access to other sources of funds, and which engage with one or more of the following thematic areas. 

The BIEA’s small grant scheme particularly seeks to help researchers who have limited access to other sources of funds. In doing so, the BIEA seeks to support early career researchers and scholars in eastern Africa, and is keen to fund small projects that lay the ground for larger projects.  Researchers may include postgraduate students in eastern African or the UK; people who have not followed conventional research careers but whose local knowledge or contacts make them well-fitted to conduct high quality research; and/or collaborative projects which might involve more established scholars but where the resources are ring-fenced for early career or Africa-based project partners.

Focus Areas

Priority will be given to researchers based in the UK or eastern Africa.

• Epidemics, pandemics and epizootics
• Citizens and science
• Knowing environments
• Technologies of politics
• Urban lives
• Retelling the past

Funding Information

Grants are normally between £500 and £1,000, but up to £1,500 may be awarded. The grant should contribute towards actual research costs and not include institutional overheads, equipment, and applicant’s stipend or publication costs.

For more information, visit British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA).