Programme Thesis
The MENA Junior Fellowship 2026–2027 funds early-career scholars, graduates, and independent researchers to develop research projects focused on the Middle East and North Africa region, providing mentorship, training, and publication support over three months online. It exists to strengthen the MENA studies research community by nurturing emerging talent and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration through a European-based institute.
Selection Criteria
- Nationality of a MENA country or demonstrated strong academic interest in MENA studies
- Holds at least a Bachelor's degree (BA or equivalent)
- Recent graduate, independent researcher, or early-career scholar status
- Proficiency in Arabic (English proficiency considered an advantage)
- Reliable internet access for online sessions and collaborative activities
- Commitment to active participation throughout the three-month fellowship
- Quality and relevance of proposed research to MENA region topics
Past Winners / Cohort Profiles
No specific past winners or cohort profiles are listed on the programme page. Based on the programme's focus, typical winners are early-career social scientists, humanities researchers, or policy analysts from or working on MENA countries, often with a background in political science, sociology, history, or economics. Named examples are not available.
Ideal Candidate Fingerprint
The ideal applicant is a recent graduate or early-career scholar from a MENA country (or with a clear, demonstrated research focus on the region), proficient in Arabic, with a well-defined research proposal in social sciences or humanities related to MENA. They seek structured mentorship and publication support to advance their academic career within the MENA studies field.
Recommended Framing
Eniola should frame his application around the potential application of his computational neuroscience and pharmacology models to addiction research in the MENA region, highlighting the relevance of substance use disorders as a public health issue in North Africa and the Middle East. He can position his CCT model and platforms (IMPRINT, TOPOLOGIX) as innovative tools that could be adapted for MENA-specific contexts, leveraging his Nigerian background as a bridge between sub-Saharan Africa and MENA health challenges. Emphasizing his independent research track record and interdisciplinary skills may compensate for the lack of a direct MENA studies focus, but the fit remains weak.
Watch Out
Eniola is not a national of a MENA country and has no demonstrated academic interest in MENA studies; his research is entirely in computational neuroscience/pharmacology with no MENA connection. He does not appear proficient in Arabic. The programme explicitly requires a focus on MENA studies, making his candidacy a very poor fit. These are likely disqualifying.