Africa Youth Policy Research Workshop
- Organization: South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)
- Type: Workshop
- Location: Global
- Deadline: September 30, 2026
- Funding: Fully Funded
The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), a Johannesburg think tank, runs the Africa Youth Portal to publish policy research by young African scholars. Each year it picks 20 postgraduate researchers for a week of in-person training in Johannesburg, followed by mentorship. The workshop, called From Academia to the Think Tank: A Young Researcher's Journey, teaches you to turn academic research into policy writing that gets read. **What you get:** - Travel to and from Johannesburg, plus meals and accommodation during the training week, covered by the programme - A week of in-person training in Johannesburg, planned for 22 to 26 February 2027 - Mentorship from experienced researchers after the workshop - The chance to publish your work on the Africa Youth Portal - Networking with peers, experts and potential employers - Eligibility to join the Youth Advisory Committee **What you'll do:** - Train in think tank versus academic research, writing short policy pieces, research dissemination and media engagement, AI and digital tools, and personal branding and career mapping - Take part in follow-up engagements and programmes after the workshop - Produce a publishable research piece of 800 to 1,000 words by the end of the programme **Key dates:** - 30 September 2026: applications close (no time given on the call; treated as 23:59 Johannesburg time) - 22 to 26 February 2027: in-person training workshop in Johannesburg (dates marked TBC by SAIIA) **More information:** - Applications need a completed Google Form, a CV of up to 2 pages, an academic transcript or proof of enrolment, a research proposal and a writing sample of up to 1,000 words - The research proposal is 800 to 1,000 words, submitted as a PDF, with a working title, the policy issue, your question or argument, what it contributes and which Africa Youth Portal theme it fits - Do not submit a formal academic proposal you used for your postgraduate studies - Themes: youth inclusion and agency, gender, education, climate change, and peace and security - Late or incomplete applications are not considered - Enquiries: Kendra Connock, kendra.connock@saiia.org.za
