The program, currently in its second year, responds to a shortage of well-trained faculty now reaching crisis proportions in African higher education. The Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa program offers fellowships to nurture the intellectual development and increase retention of early-career faculty in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. Applications are now being accepted.
The program features three distinct competitive fellowship opportunities for early-career social science faculty who hold positions in accredited colleges and universities:
* Doctoral dissertation proposal fellowship: Supporting short-term research costs of up to US$3,000 to develop a doctoral dissertation proposal.
* Doctoral dissertation research fellowship: Supporting 9-12 months of dissertation research costs of up to US$15,000 on a topic related to peace, security, and development.
* Doctoral dissertation completion fellowship: Supporting a one-year leave from teaching responsibilities with a stipend of up to US$15,000 to permit the completion of a dissertation that advances research on peace, security, and development topics.
Eligibility:
All applicants must be citizens of and reside in a sub-Saharan African country while holding a current faculty position at an accredited college or university in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda. Applicants for any of the funding opportunities offered through this program must have a master's degree and be
working toward completion of a doctoral degree. The program seeks to promote diversity and encourages women to apply.
Additionally:
* To be eligible for the US$3,000 dissertation proposal fellowship, applicants must be admitted to a PhD program by the start date of the fellowship program and working to develop a dissertation proposal.
* To be eligible for the US$15,000 dissertation research fellowship, applicants must have an approved dissertation proposal but will not yet have undertaken substantial research (typically ix or more months).
* To be eligible for the US$15,000 dissertation completion fellowship applicants must be in the final year of writing and will have completed at least one chapter.
Thematic Priority:
The program encourages innovative research on peace, security, and development topics. We envision supporting a diverse set of projects grappling with a range of processes using evidence-based research. Some, we hope, will examine large-scale phenomena and others small-scale social processes, so that some applicants, for example, might propose projects exploring global flows of refugees across country borders and continents while others might look at street theater in refugee camps. Similarly, some fellows might test
the proposition that global financial markets contribute to peace and stability, while others might examine the role of local market culture in unstable regions. Above all, projects should advance important fields of study and social science knowledge.
Application Process:
Strong proposals will offer clear and concise descriptions of the project and its significance. Proposals should display thorough knowledge of the relevant social science literature that applicants will engage and the methodologies relevant to the project.
In addition, applicants must demonstrate that all proposed activities are feasible and can be completed in a timely manner. All proposals will be evaluated for these criteria by an independent, international committee of leading scholars from a range of social science disciplines.
All applications must be submitted using the online application portal. The portal can be accessed at http://soap.ssrc.org/
As many as 45 fellowships are expected to be awarded each year.
Deadline:
The next application deadline is December 1, 2012.
For inquiries or technical questions pertaining to the online application portal, please contact SSRC staff from the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa Program: nextgenafrica@ssrc.org.
The Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU) Graduate Trainee Program in Communications offers an opportunity to gain practical experience in content development, digital marketing, public relations and multimedia production.
Trainees will work alongside experienced professionals to develop engaging content, support communication campaigns and contribute to initiatives that showcase the impact of research and education in Uganda.
Application Deadline: Monday 16th November 2026 at 5:00 PM Uganda time.
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at Makerere University, on November 10 2026 welcomed a delegation from the International Water Association (IWA), led by Mr. Keith Robertson, the Learning and Events Director at International Water Association (IWA). Mr. Robertson, in his remarks, highlighted their visit to Makerere University as a fact-finding mission regarding the potential establishment of a new regional IWA office in Africa to support the continent in solving challenges relating to water.
The International Water Association is a leading global nonprofit organisation and knowledge hub for the water and sanitation sector. Connecting more than 10,000 individual members and 500 corporate entities across 140 plus countries, the association bridges the gap between scientific research and practical engineering to solve global water crises, improve sanitation, and secure clean water systems. Currently, IWA is evaluating potential host cities in Africa; Makerere University in Kampala is the first they have visited out of their three countries and venues earmarked.
Mr. Keith Robertson
This meeting held at Makerere Main Administrative Building, was attended by university leadership, faculty from College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), and representatives from the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). Discussions explored possibilities of the yet to be established office bridging the gap between academic research and practical application in the water sector not only in Uganda but also on the continent.
On behalf of University Management, Prof. Edward Bbaale underscored this engagement that focused on possible Water and Sanitation advancement partnership as one that aligns well with the strategic direction of the University.
Prof. Edward Bbaale
Projected Impact of a Kampala-Based IWA Office
Dr Philip Nyenje, Head of Department, Civil and Environmental Engineering (DCEE), expressed optimism about the collaboration, saying, “this is a very good opportunity for us to grow our interest in the sector of water and sanitation.”
In addition, Dr Seith Mugume, a Senior Lecturer at DCEE, noted that the regional office would unlock research and innovation opportunities in the real world for our students and also provide incentives for them to pursue projects within local research and innovation angles.
Eng. Zainab Mpakiraba, Acting Senior Manager at NWSC framed Kampala as a very unique venue for the centre and highlighted Makerere as one of the core academic partners for the regional Eastern and Southern Africa hub of the Global Sanitation Graduate School. Eng. Mpakiraba further endorsed Makerere, saying that, as a top-notch university in Uganda and in the region, when it leads on any aspect, it is able to pull most of the other universities.
Eng. Zainab Mpakiraba and Dr Seith Mugume
Makerere’s Strategic Initiatives and Activities so far in the Area of Water
Dr Nyenje noted that his Department has a very strong base in water and sanitation, covering disciplines like water resources, environmental, structural, and highway engineering. Dr. Mugume added that they are conducting research on “modeling of water resource systems, hydrological and hydraulic modeling,” “water quality management,” and “fecal sludge management, sanitation in low-income and peri-urban areas.”
The two also mentioned that the department has introduced a “master’s in sanitation, and also a postgraduate program… a diploma in sanitation” to address growing interest in the sector.
All these strategies have been made possible through good will and funding from the Government of Uganda, strategic partnerships, and International Collaborations that have positioned Makerere as a key player in the region.
Dr Philip Nyenje
Concluding the session, Prof. Edward Bbaale reaffirmed Makerere’s ability to run this Office when established as the University has human resources in multidisciplinary research, global credibility and working relationships with many organisations and institutions on the continent and far.
The Academic Registrar, Makerere University informs all Head Teachers of Advanced Level (UACE) Schools with UNEB centre Numbers that applications for admission to Public Universities and other Tertiary Institutions for 2027/2028 Academic Year for government sponsorship will be done electronically/online using the Academic Management Information System from 9th November, 2026 to 31st December, 2026. The Public Universities include:
(a) Makerere University (b) Makerere University Business School
Mbarara University of Science and Technology
Kyambogo University
Gulu University
Busitema University
Muni University
Kabale University
Lira University
Soroti University
Mountains of the Moon University
Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education
NB: The list of Other Tertiary Institutions is provided on the online application portal.
The online application system will allow A ‘Level Schools/UNEB Centre Administrators to input the applicants’ required information using one of the two formats provided:
The Online Application Portal
This is where the applicants’ information is captured directly into the system using the internet (https://pujab.mak.ac.ug) The portal contains pre-populated information to help you select the correct details as you fill the form.
The Offline Excel Sheet
This will be downloaded from the online application portal (https://pujab.mak.ac.ug) filled offline and uploaded into the system via the internet. The excel sheet also contains pre-populated information to help you select the correct details as you fill the form.
The information to be captured include among others:
Applicants’ Bio-data
Father’s information
Mother’s information
Applicants’ home district
Information about Disabilities
O’ Level index number and year of sitting
A’ Level index number and year of sitting
National merit choices (6)
District Quota Choices (4)
Tertiary Institutions choices (4)
However, before the commencement of the application exercise, New School Administrators with A level UNEB Centre numbers will be required to fill theaccessform to allow them use the online Application Portal. The form can be accessed from the Makerere University application portal (https://pujab.mak.ac.ug) filled, stamped, scanned and submitted to this email address: pujab.support@mak.ac.ug or office 302 ,Level three (3), Senate Building for account creation. On creation of the account, a message containing the account details will be sent to the school administrator’s email address and phone number.
A non-refundable application fee of UGX. 57,000/= (Fifty-seven thousand shillings only) per applicant will be paid using a Payment Reference Number (PRN) generated from the system in any bank used by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) before loading the application data.
NB: (i) A user guide is accessible from the online application portal and University website (www.mak.ac.ug).
(ii) Information on Public Universities Admissions for 2027/2028 Academic Year is accessible from the Makerere University application portal and website: www.mak.ac.ug
(iii) The JAB information Booklet for other tertiary institutions for 2027/2028 Academic year is accessible from the online application portal and Makerere University website (www.mak.ac.ug).
Submission Confirmation
Upon successful submission, you will receive a confirmation message indicating that your application(s) have/ has been received.
Acknowledgment Form
Once submission is done, an acknowledgment form must be downloaded and printed from the system, signed and stamped by the Head Teacher and forward to: pujab.support@mak.ac.ug or office 302 Senate Building Makerere University.
The closing date for submitting the application data in the system and acknowledgement form will be 31st December 2026.
There will be no hard copy/manual application forms given to applicants.
Re-applicants who did their Advanced Level in 2025 or 2024 can apply through their Schools or can use the System directly.