The Shaping AI from African Contexts Fellowship 2026, also known as the LUNE 3 Fellowship, is an intensive 10-week research program designed for Nigerian graduate and doctoral researchers. The fellowship focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), humanities, and social sciences, with a strong emphasis on African perspectives, epistemologies, and lived realities. Hosted by ResearchRound, the program aims to develop scholar-practitioners who can critically engage with AI systems while contributing to global debates on technology, ethics, and society. About the Fellowship Program The fellowship is designed for researchers who want to explore how AI technologies are shaped by culture, power, history, and governance. Rather than treating AI as purely technical, the program positions it as a socio-technical system influenced by social structures and human decision-making. Through mentorship and guided learning, fellows develop skills in critical analysis, research methods, and foundational technical literacy. The goal is to prepare participants to both critique and actively shape AI systems in African institutions and communities. The program also seeks to build a long-term network of Nigerian researchers whose work connects local realities with global AI conversations. Who the Fellowship Is For The fellowship is open to graduate and doctoral researchers in Nigeria who are working in humanities and social sciences and are interested in AI-related research. Ideal participants include individuals who: Have a background in humanities or social sciences Are exploring AI intersections with their discipline Want to engage with African-centered AI research Are interested in interdisciplinary collaboration In addition, the program includes complementary roles such as navigators, facilitators, and mentors to support cross-disciplinary learning. Fellowship Roles Explained The program is structured around multiple collaborative roles: FellowsFellows come from humanities and social sciences backgrounds and focus on integrating AI concepts into their research while gaining technical exposure. NavigatorsNavigators have technical backgrounds in AI or computer science. They support fellows with technical direction while gaining insights from humanities and social science perspectives. FacilitatorsFacilitators are experts who lead structured sessions on topics related to AI, digital humanities, and interdisciplinary research. MentorsMentors guide participants throughout the fellowship by offering 2–4 hours of monthly support, helping them complete research projects aligned with global academic standards. Program Structure and Learning Approach The fellowship is delivered remotely and combines structured coursework with practical research engagement. Participants receive stipends and mentorship support throughout the program. The learning structure includes: Weekly 90-minute classes on AI and interdisciplinary topics Targeted mentoring sessions with experts Collaborative assignments to encourage peer learning Exploratory research projects guided by mentors and navigators This structure ensures that participants not only learn theory but also apply their knowledge to real research challenges. Timeline of the Fellowship The Shaping AI from African Contexts Fellowship 2026 follows a structured timeline: April 20, 2026 – Application deadline Mid to late May 2026 – Finalists announced Late May to early June 2026 – Fellowship begins Late July to early August 2026 – Final presentations and closing This schedule allows participants to engage deeply with the program over a focused 10-week period. Program Focus and Learning Modules The fellowship includes structured modules that introduce participants to key concepts at the intersection of AI and the humanities. Module 0: Introduction to AI, Humanities, and Social SciencesThis foundational module introduces AI as a socio-technical system shaped by culture, power, and labor. Fellows explore how African and Global South perspectives challenge dominant narratives of technological innovation. Participants also reflect on their own disciplinary backgrounds and research interests. Additional modules expand on interdisciplinary research methods, governance frameworks, and African-centered AI scholarship. Program Structure The fellowship is designed to support both learning and research development through: Weekly classes led by expert faculty Targeted mentorship for project development Collaborative research assignments Independent and group exploratory projects The remote format ensures accessibility while maintaining academic rigor and engagement. Faculty and Experts The program is supported by an interdisciplinary faculty of researchers and practitioners in AI, governance, and digital humanities. Contributors include scholars and professionals from institutions such as Brookings Institution, Microsoft Research, and leading universities. Experts such as AI governance researchers, computational linguists, and digital humanities scholars contribute to the fellowship’s academic depth and practical orientation. Why the Fellowship Matters The Shaping AI from African Contexts Fellowship addresses a critical gap in global AI development by centering African knowledge systems. It challenges dominant narratives that often exclude Global South perspectives and instead promotes locally grounded, globally relevant research. By bringing together humanities scholars and AI practitioners, the program fosters interdisciplinary collaboration that is essential for responsible and inclusive technology development. The Shaping AI from African Contexts Fellowship 2026: Final Thoughts The Shaping AI from African Contexts Fellowship 2026 offers a unique opportunity for Nigerian researchers to engage deeply with AI from a humanities and social sciences perspective. Through mentorship, collaboration, and research-driven learning, participants are equipped to contribute meaningfully to both African and global AI discourse. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply before the April 20, 2026 deadline and become part of a growing network of African scholars shaping the future of artificial intelligence. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization that is 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. 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