AfAS 2025 MSc and PhD Prizes

Application deadline: 25 December 2025

The African Astronomical Society (AfAS) is the primary pan-African professional society representing astronomers from across the continent. AfAS aims to create and support a globally competitive and collaborative astronomy community in Africa and to be the voice of astronomy on the continent while contributing to addressing the challenges faced by Africa through the promotion and advancement of astronomy.

The AfAS MSc and PhD Prizes 

Established by AfAS Early Career Science Sub-committee (ECSS), the inaugural AfAS MSc and PhD Prizes aim to recognize and reward the outstanding accomplishments achieved by academically talented African students who defended their Master’s or PhD thesis in the field of astronomy within the past year. A total of eight prizes (four MSc students and four PhD students) to be shared over four African regions (North, South, East, and West Africa) will be conferred each year, with a cash prize of 400 USD for an MSc and 800 USD for a PhD award, respectively.

Eligibility 

To qualify for the award, you should fulfil the following conditions:

  • The candidate must be a citizen of an African country.
  • Candidates must have conducted their research degree in Astronomy at an academic or scientific research institute in Africa.
  • Candidates must have successfully completed their degree (graduated or at least received a notification from their university) within a year of the call which is announced on the 25 September 2025 for the MSc and PhD Prize. Theses which are submitted or in preparation but not yet defended are not eligible.

Application procedure 

All applications must be submitted online by uploading the following documents to the AfAS submission form.

Note: If the documents exceed the recommended page limit, your application will not be considered

You are required to submit the following documents in your application pack:

  • A detailed CV including a list of scientific publications (maximum 3 pages) and contact details of two academic referees
  • A one-page summary of the most important publications, if applicable
  • A thesis summary (maximum 2 pages) including (but not limited to) the research title, the scientific rationale, the most significant findings and conclusions
  • A motivation letter addressed to the AfAS Science Committee explaining why the applicant deserves the prize
  • Copies of official academic records (transcripts)
  • A certified copy of the most recent completed degree. 

Applicants should also arrange for signed recommendation letters from two academic referees to be sent directly to Dr Sthabile Kolwa by 25 December 2025. At least one letter must be from the thesis advisor who is familiar with the applicant’s research work. 

Incomplete applications or files submitted after the deadline, as well as applications which do not meet the conditions of eligibility, will not be taken into consideration. 

If you are submitting any supporting documents in your local language, you must upload at least an informal translation into English.

Please note that previous recipients of the AfAS Student Prizes are not eligible to apply. 

Selection criteria 

Applications will be reviewed and ranked by the AfAS PhD Prize Committee based on the following criteria:

  • Excellence of the overall academic performance and achievements
  • Relevance and originality of the MSc/PhD thesis
  • Publication track record commensurate with the applicant’s career stage
  • Participation in scientific meetings and research presentations
  • Impact of the research work on the advancement of astronomy in Africa. 

AfAS reserves the right not to accept any application that does not meet the selection criteria and/or is incomplete.

Estimated Timeline 

  • Opening date of the call: 25 September 2025
  • Closing date of the call: 25 December 2025 
  • Applications review by the jury: January to February 206
  • Notification of successful applicants at the AfAS Annual Conference to be held in March 2026; Payments to be made by 31 March 2026

Enquiries 

AfAS Applications Administration

Chair of the Early Career Science Sub-committee, African Astronomical Society 

Email: admin@afasociety.org

For more details on AfAS please visit: www.afasociety.org

Submision form