The Africa Thesis Award

Eligibility Criteria

Who can apply

Any final-year student who has completed his/her Masters thesis with distinction (80% or higher or a Dutch rating of at least an 8) at a university in Africa or the Netherlands may apply.

The thesis

The thesis has to be based on independent empirical research related to Sub-Saharan Africa in one of the subjects listed in the following section and must have been examined in the twelve months prior to the deadline for submitting manuscripts (see below). The thesis can be submitted if it is written in English, French or Dutch. If the thesis is in Dutch, a five-page English or French summary should also be attached.

Subject of the thesis

Any thesis thematically related to socio-geographical, economic, political, juridical or anthropological issues or focusing on the humanities, such as history, religion and literature but with the exception of language and/or semiotic studies, can be submitted. Its geographical focus should be Sub-Saharan Africa or its migrant communities elsewhere in the world. The thesis must be socially relevant.

Quality of the thesis

The ASC seeks to attract theses that stand out in terms of subject matter and demonstrate a sound methodological approach. The jury attaches importance to an original approach and insight, and to the relevance of the research to a scientific understanding of the issues covered. In addition, the jury will consider the significance of the thesis in relation to development-related issues and its interest for the general public.

Offered Benefits

The award consists of a prize of € 500 and publication of the winning thesis in the ASC’s African Studies Collection.