Call for Applications: The African-German Doctoral Summer School 2026 in Hamburg, Germany (Limited Travel Grants available)
Closing Date: 30 May 2026
Call for Applications: The African-German Doctoral Summer School 2026 in Hamburg, Germany (Limited Travel Grants available)
The African-German Doctoral Summer School 2026 returns to Hamburg, Germany, 14–18 September 2026.
Hosted by Horizon Resource Network e.V. in partnership with Hamburg University of Applied Sciences and Engagement Global gGmbH, this five-day programme brings together PhD researchers from Africa and Germany for structured academic dialogue, mentorship, and cross-border collaboration — all under the theme of Global Sustainability and Fair Research Partnerships.
Whether you are in the early stages of your doctorate or finalising your dissertation, this is a rare opportunity to engage with peers and scholars across disciplines and institutions, in a setting designed specifically for doctoral-level exchange.
What to expect from the African-German Doctoral Summer School 2026:
→ Thematic workshops and seminars
→ Peer mentorship and research feedback
→ Networking with scholars and practitioners across Africa and Europe
Travel grants available for participants living in Germany but outside Hamburg (apply by 30 May 2026).
About the Summer School
The African-German Doctoral Summer School on Global Sustainability and Fair Research Partnerships aims to strengthen development-oriented academic cooperation in Germany by promoting fair, sustainability-focused collaboration between African and German doctoral students. The project raises awareness among early-stage researchers about global inequalities in knowledge production, power asymmetries in North–South research partnerships, and Germany’s responsibility for fair and sustainable international cooperation.
Through global learning, intercultural dialogue, and collaborative project development, participants acquire skills in equitable partnership design, sustainability-oriented research practices, and engagement in development policy. Beyond strengthening individual capacity, the project seeks to create multiplier effects within German higher education and civil society. A public dialogue event will engage a broad audience on issues of climate justice, global responsibility, and fair research partnerships, while open-access outputs — including a policy brief and partnership guidelines — will contribute to the development policy debate in Germany.
Overall, the program promotes critical global learning, responsible international cooperation, and sustainable academic partnerships, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 4, 10, 13, and 17.
Target Group
The Summer School on Global Sustainability and Fair Research Partnerships primarily targets doctoral students based in Germany, including African and diaspora students, as well as early-career researchers working in the fields of sustainability and development policy research. Participants will benefit directly from training in equitable research partnerships, global learning, and sustainability-oriented project development.
Programme Overview
The five-day programme combines preparatory activities, educational initiatives, public dialogue forums, and dissemination with the goal of strengthening equitable research collaborations and development education. The opening day introduces the programme’s core concepts — global sustainability, the SDGs, and North–South research partnerships — alongside intercultural icebreakers and a social evening to build group cohesion. Day two deepens this foundation through workshops on power asymmetries, postcolonial knowledge production, and intercultural communication.
The midpoint of the summer school is dedicated to a collaborative project lab, where interdisciplinary teams develop joint sustainability project ideas grounded in equitable decision-making. In addition, participants receive career development guidance and support. The programme closes with group project presentations and a public dialogue event bringing together voices from academia, civil society, and diaspora communities to discuss global responsibility, the development of a partnership charter and policy recommendations, and planning for follow-up activities to sustain long-term collaboration.
Fee & Accommodation
Participation is free of charge. Travel and accommodation costs must be covered by participants. Hamburg is a highly visited city — book your accommodation early!
Travel Grant
Horizon Resource Network e.V. has made provision for a travel grant to subsidise travel expenses for participants residing in Germany outside of Hamburg. The grant is paid as reimbursement after the Summer School, upon submission of all relevant receipts and invoices (e.g., travel tickets and accommodation). You can apply for the travel grant using the same application form as for participation. The deadline for travel grant applications is 30 June 2026.
In addition to the travel grant, lunch and refreshments will be provided during the summer school.
Click Here To Apply
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