Apply Now: Non-Resident Research Fellowship Program

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

The Afghanistan Research Initiative (ARI) Non-Resident Research Fellowship provides up to USD 18,000 over 18 months to PhD holders affiliated with universities or research institutions worldwide to conduct original research relevant to Afghanistan’s development and future. The fellowship supports research across areas including economic development, agriculture, climate change, governance, education, health, migration, gender, peacebuilding, culture, and social inclusion, alongside knowledge exchange and policy engagement. What Is the Afghanistan Research Initiative Non-Resident Research Fellowship? The Afghanistan Research Initiative (ARI) Non-Resident Research Fellowship supports researchers who want to conduct original, policy-relevant research focused on Afghanistan. The fellowship is designed to generate evidence that can contribute to discussions about Afghanistan’s development, governance, social conditions, economy, environment, and future. In addition to conducting research, Fellows become part of ARI’s research community and participate in knowledge-sharing activities, thematic discussions, and public engagement. The programme is intended for researchers who can produce both academic research and accessible knowledge products for policymakers, practitioners, and wider audiences. What Research Areas Are Supported? ARI welcomes research proposals covering a broad range of issues affecting Afghanistan’s development and future. The Principal Investigator must be based outside Afghanistan throughout the fellowship period. Can Researchers in Afghanistan Participate? The Principal Investigator must be based outside Afghanistan during the fellowship. However, collaborative research involving researchers based in Afghanistan and members of the Afghan diaspora is strongly encouraged. This creates opportunities for international researchers to work with Afghanistan-based scholars and diaspora researchers while maintaining the fellowship’s non-resident structure. Why Does This Fellowship Matter? The programme provides researchers with an opportunity to produce evidence that can contribute to understanding Afghanistan’s development challenges and future. Its value extends beyond academic publication because Fellows are expected to translate research findings into accessible formats. can help connect academic evidence with policymakers, development practitioners, researchers, and other stakeholders. Fellowship Deliverables Successful applicants should plan their research around several required outputs. Original Research The central component is an original research project addressing a relevant issue concerning Afghanistan. The research proposal should clearly establish the research question, methodology, relevance, expected contribution, and feasibility. Peer-Reviewed Journal Article Fellows are expected to produce a peer-reviewed journal article based on their research. Applicants should therefore demonstrate that their proposed project has sufficient academic depth and originality for scholarly publication. Thematic Roundtables Each Fellow is expected to organize and moderate three thematic roundtables. These events provide opportunities to discuss research findings and exchange perspectives with researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders. Knowledge Briefs Fellows must also prepare non-technical knowledge briefs. These should communicate research findings in a clear and accessible way for audiences who may not have specialist academic backgrounds. Public Engagement

Participation in public engagement activities is another component of the fellowship

Applicants should consider how their research can contribute to wider discussions about Afghanistan beyond academic publications. How to Apply Applicants should prepare the required materials before completing the online application.

Step 1: Develop a Research Question

Identify a significant development-related issue concerning Afghanistan.

The research question should be:

Clearly defined Relevant to Afghanistan Researchable within 18 months Connected to one or more ARI research themes Capable of producing original findings

Step 2: Prepare the Research Proposal

The research proposal must be no more than 1,000 words.

It should clearly explain:

The research problem Research questions

Background and context

Proposed methodology Expected contribution Relevance to Afghanistan Expected outputs Feasibility within 18 months

Step 3: Prepare an 18-Month Workplan

Applicants must provide a proposed workplan covering the full fellowship period. The plan should show when major research activities and deliverables will be completed. This should include research activities as well as: Journal article development Thematic roundtables Knowledge briefs Public engagement Progress reporting

Step 4: Prepare the Budget

Applicants must use the ARI budget template. The budget should provide a realistic breakdown of expected costs. A separate budget narrative should explain why the requested expenditure is necessary for the proposed research. Complete the online application and upload all required documents in the requested format. Applicants should ensure that the proposal, budget, workplan, and CV present a consistent research plan. What Makes a Strong Application? A competitive application should establish a clear connection between the proposed research and Afghanistan’s development priorities.

Applicants should demonstrate:

Strong academic qualifications A clear and original research question Relevant disciplinary expertise Knowledge of the Afghanistan context A credible research methodology Realistic 18-month implementation plans Strong potential for academic publication Policy or practical relevance Effective knowledge-sharing plans Appropriate institutional affiliation A realistic and well-justified budget Collaborative approaches involving researchers from Afghanistan or the Afghan diaspora can also strengt