The Archivi.ng Fellowship 2026 for Nigerian Storytellers, Researchers, and Technologists (₦1 Million Monthly Stipend)

Application Deadline: October 3, 2025

Applications are now open for the Archivi.ng Fellowship 2026, an exceptional six-month opportunity for storytellers, researchers, and technologists passionate about exploring and interpreting Nigeria’s rich history. This prestigious fellowship supports creative professionals using archival materials to uncover, document, and reinterpret Nigeria’s past in ways that inform and inspire the present.

The Archivi.ng Fellowship offers selected fellows a unique chance to combine creativity, research, and technology to tell stories that matter. Each participant will receive funding, mentorship, and publishing support to complete a project that sparks dialogue and deepens public understanding of Nigeria’s evolving social, political, and economic realities.

Fellowship Theme: “The More Things Change”

For the 2026 cohort, the fellowship will focus on the theme “The More Things Change”, a two-year inquiry into Nigeria’s recurring historical patterns. Through this theme, participants are invited to explore how past decisions, policies, and events continue to influence today’s Nigeria.

Projects may examine cycles in governance, social change, economic policy, or cultural evolution—revealing how history often echoes in the present. From policy analysis to storytelling and data visualization, fellows will work on projects that help citizens make sense of the nation’s journey and collective memory.

Fellowship Tracks

The Archivi.ng Fellowship supports projects across three main tracks:

1. Storytelling

For creative professionals crafting compelling narratives that connect the past to the present. Storytelling projects may take any format—articles, documentaries, podcasts, photo essays, or multimedia storytelling—so long as they effectively engage the public and illuminate historical insights.

2. Research

For individuals conducting rigorous, evidence-based research that uncovers overlooked histories or provides fresh analysis of Nigeria’s sociopolitical or cultural evolution. Research fellows will generate insights that encourage new ways of understanding Nigerian identity and progress.

3. Technology

For technologists and innovators developing digital tools that make archives accessible, engaging, and interactive. This could include building databases, digital exhibits, or visualization tools that help Nigerians explore historical data in meaningful ways.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Archivi.ng Fellowship 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be Nigerian, residing in the country or in the diaspora.
• Be deeply curious about Nigeria’s history and capable of producing impactful, publicly accessible work.
• Demonstrate proven experience in research, storytelling, or technology development.
• Be committed to excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
• Be comfortable working independently and using digital collaboration tools like Notion and Slack.

The fellowship welcomes both new and ongoing projects, provided they can be completed within six months.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive comprehensive support to bring their projects to life, including:

• ₦1 million monthly stipend from January to June 2026.
• At least ₦1 million in project support disbursed during the fellowship.
• Access to the Archivi.ng archives and digital tools.
• Mentorship, peer learning circles, and collaborative review sessions.
• Publication, exhibition, or technical integration of the final project.

This generous support ensures fellows can fully focus on their creative and analytical work, contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s collective memory and knowledge ecosystem.

Selection Process

The selection process will be conducted in two stages:

Stage One:
Applications will undergo an initial review by the selection committee to ensure they meet eligibility criteria and align with the fellowship’s mission. Proposals will be assessed based on ambition, clarity, and feasibility within the six-month timeframe.

Stage Two:
Shortlisted candidates will participate in interviews with the selection team. Evaluators will consider the applicant’s experience, proposed project, commitment, and potential impact.

Only the most innovative and well-prepared applicants will be chosen to join the Archivi.ng Fellowship 2026 cohort.

Application Details

Application Deadline: October 31, 2025

Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare a clear and compelling proposal that demonstrates how their project will use archival materials to interpret Nigeria’s past and shape the national conversation.

Why the Archivi.ng Fellowship Matters

The Archivi.ng Fellowship represents a transformative opportunity to reclaim and reinterpret Nigeria’s historical narratives. By empowering storytellers, researchers, and technologists, the program helps preserve national memory, foster civic awareness, and encourage innovation in how Nigerians interact with their history.

Through creative storytelling, scholarly research, and technological innovation, fellows will contribute to a richer understanding of Nigeria’s journey—revealing how “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE:

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