Africa Thesis Award

Submit your Africa-related master’s thesis for the Africa Thesis Award, have it published and win € 500!

The Africa Thesis Award is an annual initiative by the African Studies Centre Leiden that recognises outstanding master’s theses on African topics. Established more than 20 years ago, the award aims to encourage research and writing on Africa and to promote African Studies worldwide.

The winner receives a prize of € 500 and has their thesis published in the African Studies Collection. Additionally, all submitted theses will be added to the ASCL’s library catalogue, making them accessible to a broader audience.

Eligibility and requirements

To be eligible, the thesis must meet the following criteria:

• Completion date and institution: The thesis must have been completed at a university in The Netherlands or at a university in an African country between 31 August 2024 and 31 August 2025.
• The thesis should be based on empirical research within the Social Sciences or Humanities, including (but not limited to) geography, political science, anthropology, development studies, economics, history, religion, and literature.
• The thesis must focus on an African country, region, or its diaspora.
• The thesis must have been graded at least an 8/10 grade following the Dutch grading system or an equivalent grade (A or higher) from non-Dutch universities.
• The thesis must be written in English, French, or Dutch. If submitted in Dutch, a five-page summary in English must be included.

Selection criteria

The jury will evaluate the theses based on the originality of the research, theoretical framework and methodology, and scientific and societal relevance. Special consideration will be given to style and readability, with a well-written and engaging text that appeals to a broader audience considered an asset.

How to apply

A complete submission must include: 

• a digital version of the thesis in PDF
• a summary (maximum 300 words)
• a signed letter of recommendation from the student’s supervisor, detailing the thesis’ quality, the awarded grade, and institutional details

For theses written in Dutch, please also include a five-page summary in English.

Only complete applications will be processed. All documents should be submitted via email to asc@asc.leidenuniv.nl.

Deadline for applications is 30 September 2025.

Award ceremony

The winner will be honoured at a special Africa Thesis Award Ceremony, where they will present their research.

Jury

The 2025 jury consists of the following experts:

1. Dr Tanja Hendriks (Chair, KU Leuven)
2. Dr Agnieszka Kazimierczuk (independent researcher and thinker)
3. Mandipa Ndlovu (PhD candidate, African Studies Centre Leiden)
4. Dr Jody Metcalfe (researcher, Utrecht University)
5. Joost Bastmeijer (Africa correspondent)

The jury's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

For more information, please contact asc@asc.leidenuniv.nl.