09 April 2025
African Leadership Centre launches fellowships in peace, security and development
New fellowships, associate fellowships, and bursaries all announced
The African Leadership Centre (ALC) is inviting applications for Peace, Security & Development Fellowships and Associate Fellowships for the academic year 2025/2026.
Designed for African scholars residing in Africa, the 18-month, fully funded fellowships combine academic research, writing, and policy analysis, culminating in a six-month attachment at a leading African university, regional organization, or centre of excellence on the continent.
This programme integrates the MSc on Global Leadership and Peacebuilding 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.
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.
In addition, two associate fellowship bursaries are also available.
The Associate Fellowships Bursaries for African Students in Peace, Security and Development are for full time students from Africa applying for the MSc Global Leadership and Peacebuilding at King's College London, for the 2025/26 academic year, beginning in September.
The other bursary – for the Associate Fellowships in Global Leadership and Peacebuilding for the Global South - is available to students from the Global South also applying for the MSc programme in Global Leadership and Peacebuilding.
Successful applicants will receive a bursary that covers 25 per cent of the Masters’ tuition fees at King’s College London for the 2025/26 academic year, and an additional £5,000 as a contribution to their living expenses in London.
After the MSc programme, Associate Fellows of the Global South will also have an option to undertake a short internship at international institutions or regional centres of excellence. Meanwhile, participants in the Associate Fellowship for African Students program can choose a paid six-month attachment at a leading African university, regional organization, or center of excellence
The MSc Global Leadership & Peacebuilding looks at the mutually reinforcing links between global leadership, peace, and society, especially in developing nations. The course equips students to be next-generation leaders who can solve global problems and advance peacebuilding.
Upon completion, associate fellows emerge with academic knowledge, research skills, mentorship training, and practical experience, connected to a network of distinguished experts in peace, security, and development to propel their careers forward.
How to apply
Interested candidates 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.