Africans Rising has officially launched the Borderless Africa Feminist Writing Fellowship 2026, inviting applications from emerging and established feminist writers, journalists, researchers, creatives, and movement builders from across the African continent. The fellowship seeks to nurture powerful voices that will shape conversations around African integration, free movement, gender justice, and knowledge production through compelling storytelling.
Running under the theme “Narrative Sovereignty, Knowledge Justice, and Feminist Futures,” the fellowship offers participants a unique opportunity to engage in a transformative learning and writing journey while contributing to a growing body of African feminist scholarship and advocacy.
Applications are open until 20 July 2026.
Fellowship Aims to Amplify African Feminist Voices
The Borderless Africa Feminist Writing Fellowship is designed to challenge dominant narratives surrounding borders, migration, identity, citizenship, and belonging by centering African feminist perspectives and lived experiences.
According to Africans Rising, achieving a truly Borderless Africa requires more than policy reforms. It also demands the creation of new narratives rooted in African realities, social justice, and feminist principles that inspire inclusive development and continental unity.
The fellowship encourages participants to critically examine questions such as:
- Who tells Africa’s stories?
- Whose knowledge shapes public understanding of borders and mobility?
- Which voices continue to be excluded from mainstream narratives?
- How can feminist storytelling advance African integration?
- What does a truly Borderless Africa look like?
By addressing these questions, the initiative aims to strengthen narrative sovereignty and promote knowledge justice across the continent.
What Fellows Will Receive
Successful applicants will participate in a comprehensive fellowship programme that combines learning, mentorship, writing, and networking opportunities.
Selected fellows will benefit from:
- Participation in a two-day in-person writing retreat.
- Expert-led learning sessions covering:
- Narrative sovereignty.
- Feminist storytelling.
- Knowledge justice.
- Pan-Africanism and free movement.
- Writing for advocacy and social change.
- One-on-one mentorship from experienced feminist scholars, editors, writers, and Pan-African practitioners.
- Editorial guidance to develop publication-ready articles and creative works.
- Opportunities for selected pieces to be published through Borderless Africa platforms and partner networks.
- Access to a growing network of feminist writers, storytellers, and Borderless Africa advocates from across Africa.
The fellowship is intended to strengthen participants’ writing skills while expanding their influence within social justice and Pan-African advocacy spaces.
Who Can Apply?
Africans Rising welcomes applications from individuals across diverse professional and creative backgrounds.
Eligible applicants include:
- Feminist writers.
- Journalists.
- Bloggers.
- Researchers.
- Poets.
- Creative writers.
- Community storytellers.
- Human rights defenders.
- Students.
- Young activists.
- Digital storytellers.
- Content creators.
Importantly, no previous publication record is required, making the fellowship accessible to both emerging and experienced writers.
Desired Qualities
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A strong interest in feminist issues and social justice.
- Commitment to African unity, free movement, citizenship, or Pan-Africanism.
- Passion for storytelling, writing, research, or advocacy.
- Willingness to participate fully in both the in-person retreat and online learning sessions.
The programme values diverse voices and encourages applications from individuals seeking to influence public discourse through thoughtful, evidence-based, and creative storytelling.
Suggested Writing Themes
Applicants are encouraged to submit ideas related to one or more of the fellowship’s focus areas.
Suggested topics include:
- Narrative sovereignty.
- Feminist knowledge production.
- Free movement and mobility.
- Citizenship and belonging.
- Cross-border identities.
- Women and migration.
- Border communities.
- Pan-Africanism and regional integration.
- Language, culture, and identity.
- Digital storytelling and narrative change.
- Feminist futures and speculative writing.
These themes are intended to inspire innovative perspectives on Africa’s future while highlighting voices and experiences that have historically been underrepresented.
Application Requirements
Interested candidates must submit their applications via email.
Applicants are required to provide:
- A short biography of no more than 250 words.
- A statement of interest of up to 500 words.
- One writing sample demonstrating their storytelling or analytical abilities.
Applications should be submitted by email to:
[email protected]
Important Deadline
The application deadline for the Borderless Africa Feminist Writing Fellowship 2026 is:
20 July 2026
Prospective applicants are encouraged to prepare their application materials and submit them before the closing date.
Advancing Feminist Knowledge and a Borderless Africa
Through this fellowship, Africans Rising aims to cultivate a new generation of African feminist storytellers and knowledge producers capable of influencing public discourse on mobility, identity, justice, and continental integration. By combining mentorship, collaborative learning, and publishing opportunities, the programme seeks to elevate voices that challenge exclusionary narratives and contribute to a more inclusive vision of Africa’s future.
Individuals passionate about storytelling, advocacy, Pan-Africanism, and feminist leadership are encouraged to apply and become part of a growing movement working to advance freedom, dignity, justice, belonging, and a truly Borderless Africa.
VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY
