Date
1 October 2026
Time
The Afghanistan Research Initiative (ARI) is a programme of the University of Central Asia (UCA), jointly supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC). The programme is implemented by UCA through its Graduate School of Development Afghanistan Research Initiative (GSD ARI).
Established following the collapse of the Afghan government in August 2021, GSD ARI seeks to sustain research capacity on Afghanistan, support students and scholars, foster collaboration among researchers, and promote the production and dissemination of independent research relevant to Afghanistan's development and future.
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements for each funding stream before applying.
ARI welcomes proposals addressing one or more of the following thematic areas:
- Economic development, including livelihoods, poverty, labor markets, private sector development, entrepreneurship, finance, and economic resilience.
- Regional integration and sustainable trade, including regional cooperation, connectivity, trade, transportation, and economic corridors.
- Climate change, natural resources and environmental sustainability, including agriculture, water, energy, mining, biodiversity, climate adaptation, and disaster risk reduction.
- Governance, public policy and institutions, including public administration, service delivery, accountability, peacebuilding and state-society relations.
- Society, migration and inclusion, including education, health, gender, displacement, migration, demographic change, and social inclusion.
- Culture, history and heritage, including identity, languages, cultural heritage, religion, literature and historical research that contributes to understanding social cohesion, governance, development, or public policy in Afghanistan.
Applications will be evaluated on the basis of:
- Relevance to ARI's thematic priorities
- Originality and significance of the application (research, fellowship and doctoral support)
- Quality and rigor of the research methodology
- Feasibility of the proposed work plan
- Applicant's qualifications and research experience
- Potential academic, policy and societal impact
Purpose
The Non-Resident Research Fellowship (henceforth fellowship) combines support for individual research with opportunities for knowledge exchange through thematic roundtables, policy-oriented outputs, and engagement with ARI's wider research community.
Fellowship Support
- Duration: 18 months
- Funding: Up to USD 18,000
- Number of awards: Subject to available funding.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- hold a PhD degree in a relevant discipline;
- be affiliated with or formally associated with a recognized university or established research institution anywhere in the world;
- propose an original research project aligned with one or more ARI research themes;
- demonstrate the ability to complete the proposed research within the grant period; and
- demonstrate proficiency in English sufficient to produce research outputs and communicate with ARI.
Citizenship of Afghanistan is not required. Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply. However, the Principal Investigator must be based outside Afghanistan for the duration of the fellowship. ARI strongly encourages collaborative research involving researchers from Afghanistan, including those based inside Afghanistan where feasible and appropriate, as well as members of the Afghanistan diaspora.
Fellowship Deliverables
Successful fellows will be expected to contribute to ARI's research program throughout the fellowship period through the following research, knowledge exchange, and engagement activities.
1. Research Article
- Undertake the approved research project.
- Produce one peer-reviewed journal article based on the approved proposal or any subsequently agreed modification to the research project.
2. Thematic Roundtables
Organize and moderate three thematic roundtable discussions during the fellowship.
Each roundtable should:
- bring together approximately 6 - 8 researchers, experts and practitioners working in the relevant field;
- be held approximately every six months;
- include participation from an ARI representative.
The purpose of the roundtables is to facilitate scholarly exchange, discuss emerging research findings, strengthen collaboration, and identify future research priorities.
3. Knowledge Briefs
Prepare non-technical knowledge briefs or policy notes suitable for publication by ARI. The knowledge brief should:
- the main themes discussed;
- key insights and recommendations;
- implications for research, policy, and practice.
Knowledge briefs should be submitted within 2–3 weeks of each roundtable.
4. Engagements
Fellows are expected to contribute to ARI's broader program of research dissemination and public engagement where appropriate. This may include participating as speakers or panelists in Conversations with ARI, public lectures, workshops, webinars, or other knowledge-sharing activities organized by ARI during the fellowship period.
5. Progress Reports
Submit three written progress reports outlining research activities undertaken, progress against planned milestones, challenges encountered, and planned activities for the following reporting period. Reports are due on:
- Month 6
- Month 12
- Month 18 (Final Report)
Fellows may also be required to provide financial information relating to the approved research budget in accordance with the fellowship agreement.
Fellowship Payments
The fellowship provides funding of up to USD 18,000 over 18 months. Funding will be disbursed in instalments linked to agreed milestones and satisfactory progress against the fellowship deliverables.
The specific payment schedule, reporting requirements, and conditions for disbursement will be set out in the fellowship agreement issued to successful applicants.
Application Requirements
Applications must include:
- completed online application form;
- curriculum vitae;
- proof of institutional affiliation;
- writing sample;
- research proposal (maximum 1,000 words);
- proposed 18-month implementation timeline/workplan;
- detailed budget using the ARI budget template;
- brief budget narrative explaining and justifying the proposed costs; and
- letter of support (optional).
The proposed budget should reflect the activities and outputs described in the research proposal and workplan. Applicants should request only those costs necessary to undertake the proposed fellowship activities.
How to apply
Application deadline: 01 October 2026