The Conflict Research Consulting & Advocacy (CRCA) has opened applications for the 2026 Emerging Conflict Analysts Fellowship, a fully funded 12-week professional development programme designed to equip emerging African analysts with advanced skills in conflict analysis, early warning, political risk assessment and analytical writing.
Running from September to December 2026, the online fellowship offers a structured learning experience that combines academic knowledge with practical analytical methods used in peacebuilding, humanitarian response, governance and security analysis. Applications close on 31 August 2026 at 21:59 West Africa Time (WAT), and there is no participation fee for selected fellows.
About the CRCA Fellowship
The CRCA Emerging Conflict Analysts Fellowship is designed to strengthen the capacity of professionals and students working on African peace and conflict issues. The programme brings together evidence evaluation, conflict data analysis, open-source intelligence (OSINT), forecasting, structured analytical techniques and professional briefing skills within a distinctly African context.
Rather than focusing solely on theory, the fellowship emphasizes practical application. Fellows will analyse real conflict situations, evaluate evidence, develop policy-oriented assessments and build a professional analytical portfolio that demonstrates their expertise.
The programme is particularly valuable for individuals seeking careers in conflict research, peacebuilding, humanitarian analysis, governance, international development and political risk consulting.
What Fellows Will Learn
The 12-week curriculum is organised into four progressive learning phases that develop participants’ analytical capabilities from foundational concepts to professional communication.
Weeks 1–4: Understanding Conflict
Participants begin by exploring the foundations of conflict analysis, including conflict typologies, regional conflict dynamics across Africa, key actors and structural drivers of violence. They will examine how states, communities, armed groups and external actors influence conflict environments while developing a deeper understanding of causes, triggers and accelerants.
Weeks 5–8: Analysing Evidence
The second phase focuses on evidence evaluation and analytical tradecraft. Fellows will learn how to verify sources, assess bias and confidence levels, interpret conflict datasets and apply OSINT methods using geospatial and publicly available information. Structured analytical techniques, hypothesis testing and intelligence analysis standards are also introduced to improve analytical rigour.
Weeks 9–11: Assessing Risk
Participants will develop practical skills in early warning systems, conflict and political risk assessment, forecasting and scenario building. The programme teaches how to identify indicators, establish monitoring frameworks and evaluate the likelihood and impact of emerging risks across African contexts.
Week 12: Communicating Analysis
The final week concentrates on professional analytical writing and briefing techniques. Fellows will produce policy briefs, oral presentations and portfolio-ready analytical products using concise, evidence-based communication methods suitable for policymakers and decision-makers.
Who Should Apply?
CRCA encourages applications from emerging professionals and students who are passionate about evidence-based analysis of African peace and security issues.
Ideal applicants include:
- Early-career researchers and conflict analysts.
- Journalists covering peace, security or governance.
- Policy and humanitarian practitioners.
- Civil society and early-warning professionals.
- Postgraduate and final-year students in peace and conflict studies, international relations, political science, security studies, law, economics, development or related disciplines.
Applicants should have strong written English, analytical curiosity and the ability to commit consistently throughout the 12-week programme. Importantly, prior formal training in intelligence or political risk analysis is not required, making the fellowship accessible to motivated emerging professionals from diverse backgrounds.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive an extensive package of learning resources and professional development opportunities at no cost.
Benefits include:
- A fully funded 12-week online fellowship.
- The CRCA Emerging Conflict Analyst Field Manual.
- A Fellow Workbook and Analytical Toolkit.
- Weekly analytical seminars led by experienced practitioners.
- Interactive Analyst Labs featuring hands-on analytical exercises.
- Mentoring and portfolio development support.
- Practical experience analysing contemporary African conflict contexts.
- A professional analytical portfolio.
- Final analytical assessment and a CRCA Fellowship Certificate upon successful completion.
These resources are designed to strengthen participants’ practical competencies while preparing them for careers in research, policy and conflict analysis.
Time Commitment
The fellowship is structured to accommodate professionals and students through a flexible online format. Participants should expect to dedicate approximately 4–6 hours per week, including weekly seminars, Analyst Lab sessions and independent coursework.
This manageable workload enables fellows to balance the programme alongside academic or professional responsibilities while maintaining meaningful engagement throughout the learning cycle.
Application Requirements
Applicants must complete the online application form and submit the following documents:
- A CV in PDF or DOCX format (maximum 10 MB).
- A Statement of Interest completed within the application form.
- One writing sample in PDF or DOCX format (maximum 10 MB).
- Basic personal, academic and professional information.
- Confirmation of availability for the full 12-week programme.
Applications will automatically close on 31 August 2026 at 21:59 WAT, and the fellowship officially begins on 14 September 2026.
Why This Fellowship Matters
As Africa faces increasingly complex peace and security challenges, the demand for skilled analysts capable of producing rigorous, evidence-informed assessments continues to grow. The CRCA Emerging Conflict Analysts Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to develop practical analytical expertise while joining a growing network of professionals committed to advancing conflict research and peacebuilding across the continent.
For aspiring conflict analysts, researchers and practitioners, the programme offers a valuable pathway to strengthen technical skills, build a professional portfolio and contribute meaningfully to evidence-based decision-making in African conflict contexts.
