The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is proud to launch the 2025 Moses Mapesa Education & Research Grant, a prestigious initiative designed to uplift African scholars dedicated to preserving the continent’s cultural and natural heritage. Established to honor the legacy of the late Dr. Moses Wafula Mapesa a pioneer in African conservation, the grant aims to support Master’s and Doctoral candidates with research advances on understanding the protection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as sites on Africa’s national Tentative Lists.
The grant value is estimated to be up to $5000 per award and it is required that fieldwork must be conducted between May 2026 and February 2027, with a minimum duration of nine months and also be enrolled by 2026 in a masters or doctoral program at an African university. Also applicant conduction dissertation-level resesrch at a site recognized by UNESCO World heritage or on a National tentative list. Applicants should be fluent in English, French or Portuguese and a citizen of an African Union member state party to 1972 UNESCO convention.
Prospective grantees must submit a complete application package Which includes:
- Completed application form, co-signed by a faculty supervisor
- One-page letter of motivation
- Two-page Curriculum Vitae
- Proof of enrolment or acceptance at an African higher-education institute
- Research proposal (maximum 2 pages),
Note: Incomplete or late submissions after the 31 July 2025 (Midnight WAT) deadline will not be considered. Applications will undergo evaluation by an independent, interdisciplinary committee based on proposal quality. Awardees will be required to deliver a revised research plan and verification of enrolment prior to the grant start. A final thesis or project report, accompanied by a financial accounting after fieldwork concludes.
Apply now and secure funding for research that preserves Africa’s legacies: Deadline 31 July 2025. For full details and the online application form, visit the AWHF website.