Applications are now open for the fully funded 2026/27 Africa Peace Fellows Program in USA

Ednah Carrick July 28, 2025

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Closing Date: 30 September 2025

Applications are now open for the fully funded 2026/27 Africa Peace Fellows Program in USA

Africa Peace Fellows Program

The Africa Peace Fellows is a certificate training program designed to meet existing key gaps in creating internal capacity for transformative conflict resolution systems in Africa, especially in the development of consistent, sustainable conflict resolution and prevention training programs at advanced and specialized skills levels, including retraining or continuing education, with emphasis on intractable and emerging public policy, governance, and commercial disputes.

The Africa Peace Fellows curriculum will go beyond the traditional transactional individual conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes to transformational conflict resolution systems design, institutional capacity building, human capacity development, and professional network creation.

Program Overview

About CAPCR:

Established in 1996 at California State University, Sacramento, the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution (CAPCR) has emerged as a premier institution for: Advanced training in mediation, negotiation, and arbitration as well as alternative dispute resolution and restorative justice; Innovative research in conflict transformation; Strategic interventions for governments, institutions, and organizations; Capacity building across Africa and its diaspora.

The APF Program Vision:

The Africa Peace Fellows Programme addresses critical gaps in Africa’s peace architecture by:

Developing state of the art conflict resolution specialists and practitioners, especially countering violent extremism;
Institutionalizing sustainable peacebuilding frameworks;
Creating transnational networks of peace professionals;
Bridging and advancing theory and practice in complex, intractable, protracted conflict environments, especially countering violent extremism.

Applicant Selection and Requirements

The Peace Fellow is aimed at senior-mid level officials/officers already engaged in critical sectors in government, nongovernmental, business, peace and security as well as educational institutions, and will represent a fair cross-section of society. We reserve the right to modify the selection criteria and requirements to meet operational or programmatic needs, including target countries and sectors as well as other salient conditions. Accordingly, the trainee or potential Peace Fellows will:

Possess at least a Bachelor’s degree. Master’s/advanced degree or its equivalent value preferred.
Be working professionals with both the significant experience and relevant, successful career.
Show promise as peace leader and peace ambassador at local, national, and/or international level(s).
Demonstrate support of her/his employer as well as other relevant associations or networks.
Submit the proper application with supporting documents and references for careful reviews and due considerations by the APF International Steering Committee and Advisory Board as well as the CAPCR Board.
Demonstrate commitment to completion of the training and post-training agenda.
Capacity for effective learning in the English language and interface via hybrid format— in person and online modules.
Ability to work in team environment, with cross-cultural competency.

Program Architecture

Core Components

Academic Residency and field visits (Sacramento, California, USA)- 2-3 weeks.

Intensive coursework at CSU Sacramento.
Masterclasses with global peace experts.
Robust online Learning and instructions.

Field Practicum:

Institutional visits to leading peace and conflict resolution organizations.
Comparative study of conflict systems in Africa and USA.

African Internship

Immersive placement with partner institutions.
Applied peacebuilding projects.

Executive Mentorship

One-on-one guidance from senior practitioners.
Leadership development coaching.
Support for major problem resolution.
Continuous professional development and networking.

Curriculum Framework

The Fifteen-Pillar Curriculum equips fellows with:

Advanced Conflict Analysis and translational methodologies
Advanced Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
African Peace and Security Architecture practice expertise
Traditional African Conflict Resolution dynamics
Advanced Public Policy Mediation and Negotiation skills
Cross-cultural strategies in conflict resolution
Peace Leadership ethics and values
Environmental Justice and Natural Resources Management
Restorative Justice and Trauma informed response.
Institutional Protocol competencies
Conflict Early warning and response
Violent Extremism/terrorism phenomenon
Small arms and light weapons dynamics in violence
The role of technology and social media in violent extremism and gun violence
Evaluation and Assessment of interventions and practices.

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum Bachelor’s degree (advanced degrees preferred)
5+ years of professional leadership experience
Proven commitment to peacebuilding
Institutional endorsement
National and Continental vision with real, direct local or institutional impact
Proposed ongoing major conflict of choice for resolution or mitigation from the training knowledge.

How To Apply

Application Package Requirements

Completed Application Form include:

a. Personal particulars
b. Statement of Purpose (500-750 words). Please explain your interest in the Africa Peace Fellows program and how it aligns with your career and professional goals. Describe your experience in conflict resolution, alternative dispute resolution, public policy, governance, or related fields. Outline how you believe you can contribute to promoting a culture of peace and non- violent dispute resolution in Africa, especially regarding the focus on countering violent extremism and gun violence in the ECOWAS region. Describe your peace project of an in intractable and emerging public policy conflict in your country, institution, or community that you hope to resolve or address during the course of your training, and your level of confidence for success.

Supporting Documents