ODA Global Innovation Fellowships: International Crisis Group

The objective of the ODA (Official Development Assistance) Global Innovation Fellowships is to provide opportunities to UK-based early- and mid-career researchers from across the humanities and social sciences to develop their skills, networks and careers in the creative and cultural, public, private and policy sectors to address challenges that require innovative approaches and solutions. Through the ODA Global Innovation Fellowships, researchers in the SHAPE community will be supported to create new and deeper links beyond academia, so enabling knowledge mobilisation and translation, as well as individual skills development.

This is part of a series of calls for this ODA strand of the programme, offering opportunities for ODA Global Innovation Fellowship award holders to work with the International Crisis Group. In this call there is no requirement, expectation or funding for the award holder to relocate internationally to be based at an International Crisis Group office. Instead, in line with all International Crisis Group staff, the award holder will work remotely. There may be opportunities to engage with International Crisis Group offices internationally. Applications that are not considered ODA-eligible will not be taken forward through the assessment process.

This programme is part of the £337m International Science Partnerships Fund, which is designed to enable potential and foster prosperity. It puts research and innovation at the heart of the UK’s international relationships, supporting UK researchers and innovators to work with peers around the world on the major themes of our time. It is managed by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology and delivered by a consortium of the UK’s leading research and innovation bodies. In the context of this call, funding from the International Science Partnerships Fund is funded by ODA therefore applications for this funding must be ODA-eligible.

The International Crisis Group is an independent organisation working to prevent wars and shape policies that will build a more peaceful world. It sounds the alarm to prevent deadly conflict, building support for the good governance and inclusive politics that enable societies to flourish. It engages directly with a range of conflict actors to seek and share information, and to encourage intelligent action for peace. Its methodology is based on in-depth research in which it talks to all parties in conflicts and crises. It forges innovative but realistic recommendations for those in a position to make a difference: from the conflict parties themselves to civic leaders and policymakers in influential regional centres and global capitals. It then advocates for these recommendations both privately – directly with those we aim to inform – and publicly through the media and other venues.

The aim is to have a mutually beneficial partnership between the fellowship award holder and the International Crisis Group, with each able to take advantage of fresh perspectives and expand their networks and reach. It will enable the award holder to strengthen and create new links across policy and academia, enabling knowledge mobilisation and translation, and the opportunity to develop new approaches and solutions to policy challenges through providing a different perspective.

Applications must have a contextual focus on Africa in countries where the International Crisis Group has ongoing work and are eligible foci for this call. These are Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

Applications are invited in any of the following areas:

• Reimagining regional peace diplomacy
• The role of middle powers on the continent
• Tackling protracted conflict
• Economic challenges, youth discontent and state responses

Scheme opens date: 20 December 2024

Application deadline: Applications must be submitted by 19 February 2025, 17:00 (GMT). Interviews for shortlisted applicants are expected to take place in the week commencing 17 March 2025.

The Academy is offering up to four one-year fellowships to work with the International Crisis Group. These are offered as awards for up to £120,000 for 12 months in duration (with Full Economic Costing at 80 per cent).

Scheme Guidance

Please read our scheme guidance notes before making an application.