SAIIA invites applications for the Africa Youth Portal and Research Programme.
Are you a postgraduate student passionate about shaping Africa’s future through research and policy?
The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) invites applications for the Africa Youth Portal and Research Programme, a transformative initiative designed to empower emerging youth researchers across the continent.
This programme marks the soft launch of the revamped Africa Portal, now rebranded as the Africa Youth Portal – a dynamic platform dedicated to youth-led research and policy engagement.
About the Programme
The Africa Youth Portal and Research Programme consists of a week-long in-person training workshop titled ‘From Academia to the Think Tank: A Young Researcher’s Journey’, followed by continuous support from mentors to assist you in your professional and personal growth as an aspiring researcher. The training will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 20-25 April 2026 (TBC). The project will cover the relevant travelling and accommodation costs.
It aims to equip 20 selected postgraduate youth researchers with the skills, tools and networks to transition from academic research into impactful policy work. Participants will receive mentorship, training and the opportunity to publish on the Africa Youth Portal.
Training Focus Areas
- Think tank vs. academic research
- Writing short, impactful policy pieces
- Research dissemination and media engagement
- AI and digital tools for researchers
- Personal branding and career mapping
- Thematic research areas: Education, climate change, Gender, armed conflict, and youth inclusion and agency