Early-career researchers, graduate students, professionals, and innovators across Africa are invited to apply for the African Climate Intervention Fellowship for Early-Career Researchers (ACIFER) 2026, a fully funded virtual fellowship designed to strengthen African leadership in emerging climate intervention research.
Hosted by Emerging Climate Frontiers, ACIFER is a flagship initiative focused on advancing African expertise in Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) two rapidly evolving fields receiving increasing attention within global climate policy and scientific discussions.
As climate challenges continue to intensify across the continent, the fellowship seeks to ensure that African researchers play an active role in shaping the future of climate intervention research, policy, and governance rather than remaining passive observers in global conversations.
About the African Climate Intervention Fellowship (ACIFER)
The African Climate Intervention Fellowship for Early-Career Researchers aims to build a new generation of African scholars and practitioners equipped with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to contribute meaningfully to climate intervention debates and research.
The fellowship recognizes that Africa faces some of the most severe impacts of climate change despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. As discussions around climate intervention technologies gain momentum, African perspectives are increasingly needed to ensure that research, governance, and policy decisions reflect the continent’s unique priorities, vulnerabilities, and development aspirations.
Through a structured learning experience, fellows will explore both the opportunities and challenges associated with emerging climate intervention approaches while developing research and policy engagement skills.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected participants will gain access to a comprehensive learning and mentorship programme designed to support professional growth and research excellence.
Key fellowship components include:
- Expert-led webinars on Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Solar Radiation Modification (SRM).
- Training in climate modelling and impact assessment.
- Research proposal development support.
- Collaborative policy brief writing and development.
- Structured mentorship from experienced researchers and climate experts.
- Peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
- Networking with African and international experts.
- Proposal pitching sessions.
- Opportunities for publication and research dissemination.
The fellowship also provides participants with access to a growing network of researchers and practitioners working to advance African-led climate intervention research grounded in scientific rigor, equity, and climate justice principles.
Who Should Apply?
The fellowship is designed for emerging professionals and researchers interested in climate science, environmental policy, sustainability, and related disciplines.
Eligible applicants may include:
- Early-career researchers.
- Master’s students.
- PhD candidates.
- Climate and environmental professionals.
- Policy practitioners.
- Innovators and emerging leaders interested in climate intervention research.
Individuals with a strong interest in climate governance, mitigation strategies, environmental justice, and scientific research are particularly encouraged to apply.
Areas of Focus
The fellowship will focus on frontier climate intervention approaches, including:
Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)
CDR refers to methods and technologies designed to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it for long periods. These approaches are increasingly being explored as part of broader efforts to achieve global climate goals and limit temperature increases.
Solar Radiation Modification (SRM)
SRM involves proposed techniques aimed at reflecting a portion of sunlight away from the Earth to reduce global warming impacts. While still highly debated, SRM has become an important topic within international climate policy discussions and research communities.
Participants will explore scientific, ethical, governance, and policy dimensions associated with both approaches.
Fellowship Duration
The 2026 fellowship cohort will run from:
31 August 2026 to 14 October 2026
The programme will be delivered entirely online, enabling participation from applicants across Africa regardless of location.
Funding and Support
The fellowship is fully funded, allowing selected participants to access all learning activities, mentorship opportunities, networking sessions, and programme resources at no cost.
Why This Fellowship Matters
As global conversations around climate intervention technologies continue to evolve, there is growing recognition that African researchers, policymakers, and institutions must play a central role in shaping the evidence base, governance frameworks, and policy responses that influence the continent’s future.
ACIFER seeks to close existing knowledge gaps, strengthen research capacity, and create pathways for African voices to contribute meaningfully to discussions on climate intervention technologies and their implications for sustainable development.
By supporting emerging scholars and professionals, the fellowship contributes to building a stronger ecosystem of African-led climate research capable of informing both regional and global decision-making processes.
Programme Overview
Fellowship: African Climate Intervention Fellowship for Early-Career Researchers (ACIFER) 2026
Host Organization: Emerging Climate Frontiers
Format: Fully Virtual
Funding: Fully Funded
Fellowship Period: 31 August – 14 October 2026
Target Participants: Early-career researchers, Master’s students, PhD candidates, professionals, and innovators across Africa
Focus Areas: Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), Solar Radiation Modification (SRM), climate policy, research development, and climate intervention governance
Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible and take advantage of this opportunity to join a continent-wide network advancing African leadership in emerging climate research and policy.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding
