About

The Moses Mapesa Education and Research Grant (MMERG 2026) supports advanced academic research dedicated to the conservation, management, and promotion of African cultural and natural heritage linked to World Heritage Sites and national tentative lists. The program aims to deepen global knowledge and practical solutions across vital thematic areas, including traditional custodianship, climate change resilience, risk management, digital technologies, and sustainable heritage economics. Designed to empower the next generation of heritage professionals, the grant targets Master's and Doctoral students across the continent. Financial support provides up to USD 5,000 per award, primarily covering direct fieldwork-related expenses for projects lasting up to 9 months, with implementation scheduled between May 2026 and February 2027.

Eligibility

To qualify for funding, applicants must be citizens of an African Union Member State that is a signatory to the 1972 World Heritage Convention. Eligible candidates must be currently registered or enrolling for the 2026 academic year at an African university within a Master’s, Doctoral, or equivalent graduate program (such as Master's 2 in Francophone systems). The proposed dissertation research must focus directly on an African World Heritage Site or a site listed on a national tentative list, with all research and reporting conducted in English, French, or Portuguese. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate any applicable co-funding or state contributions. Applications are competitively evaluated based on eligibility compliance, proposal quality, and methodological soundness, alongside strategic institutional commitments to gender, language, and geographic balance.

Post Date: June 12, 2026