Resources
Funding Opportunities
Applications due March 13, 2026 .
View recent fellowship and scholarship recipients
The African Studies Program offers two funding opportunities to support students at the University of Washington engaged in African Studies. Prospective applicants should submit a single application to be considered for both of the following opportunities.
The Ottenberg-Winans Fellowship Fund
HISTORY
The Ottenberg-Winans Fellowship Fund was established to honor the contributions of Professors Simon Ottenberg and Edgar V. Winans to the African Studies Program at the University of Washington and to the field of African Studies. During their distinguished careers, Professors Ottenberg and Winans taught and mentored numerous students and advanced scholarship on Africa. Recipients of this fellowship commemorate their legacy.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible students may be enrolled in any undergraduate, graduate or professional school at the University of Washington. For UW students traveling to Africa, the fellowship can be used to support travel and related expenses, living expenses, and research materials. For African students visiting or studying at UW, funds can be used to support same expenses as well as costs related to attending the UW. Fellowships are expected to be awarded for amounts between $250 and $750.
The Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel Endowed Scholarship Fund
HISTORY
In recognition of their individual and collective efforts to promote freedom, educational achievement and the general welfare of those who look to them for leadership and inspiration, in their respective native countries and globally, the Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel Endowed Scholarship has been established at the University of Washington. The endowment provides support to University students who demonstrate academic and career interests in the educational, social and economic development of the African continent and its peoples.
ELIGIBILITY
This scholarship is available to University of Washington undergraduate students who have attained junior standing or above. Preference will be given to students pursuing majors and careers in the fields of international studies, African Studies, political science, geography or international business and economics. This scholarship will be an especially appropriate form of support for UW students who will be participating in University-sponsored foreign study opportunities in Africa. Academic achievement and financial need will be prioritized.
Application Instructions
Applications due March 13, 2026 .
Applicants need only submit a single application to be considered for both the Ottenberg-Winans and the Mandela-Machel funds. If you believe your application is more appropriate to either fund based on the eligibility guidelines described above, you are welcome to mention it in your proposal. But you are not required to do so.
To Apply:
A) Submit the following documents to africa1@uw.edu by March 13, 2026:
- Most current resume or CV
- An ‘unofficial’ UW transcript
- A statement of purpose of not more than two single-spaced pages in which you describe a) the nature and purpose of the research project you are proposing; b) the relevance of the project for the field of African Studies; c) the institutional support you have for the project; d) your qualifications for the project, including the project’s significance to your academic career goals and past experience that prepares you for this project e) timeline for travel and completion of project
B) One letter of reference from an academic advisor who will support you in supervising the project, emailed directly to africa1@uw.edu
C) The subject of your email should include: your last name – ASP funding 2026 (for example: Smith – ASP funding 2026)
Awarded students will be asked to submit a photo and a short description of the project to be featured on our African Studies website.
Questions about the fellowship or the application process should be directed to africa1@uw.edu.