We are launching The Archivi.ng Fellowship, a multidisciplinary six-month programme designed to enhance the world’s understanding of Nigerian history in engaging and meaningful ways. 

Despite its rich heritage, much of Nigerian history has remained inaccessible and under-utilised for public engagement. At Archivi.ng, our mission is to preserve history by digitising archival materials – currently newspapers and magazines – making them accessible and facilitating understanding for everyone. Our work is guided by the question: What stories and perspectives are hidden in Nigeria’s archives, waiting to be uncovered?

Since we went live with the first tranche of newspapers about a year ago, it’s become even clearer to us: our job is not just to help people discover history but also to make sense of it. This is what birthed The Archivist, and this fellowship further advances our journey: with passionate and exceptional individuals.

This fellowship asks: What happens when you set a bunch of interesting people loose in the archives and challenge them to produce new work?

We are looking for ambitious projects that:

• Align with our mission to make history accessible, focusing on discovering, understanding and promoting Nigerian historical perspectives. 
• Make significant use of archival materials, either through analysis or re-interpretation.
• Offer unique perspectives, while delivering work that’s feasible within the fellowship’s six-month time frame. 
• Have the potential to engage a broad or niche audience. 

This is where you come in.

We’re looking for historians, ethnographers, journalists, artists, technologists, researchers, writers, filmmakers, content creators, and anyone interested in helping people understand Nigerian history.

Apply if you: 

• Are curious about Nigerian history and care deeply about helping people understand it in new and interesting ways.
• Have a proven record of the successful production of knowledge work.  
• Believe that your work contributes to the great body of knowledge that enhances the world’s understanding of Nigeria in new and interesting ways.
• Do not have affiliations with any government-owned entities or political parties. 

Some benefits of the fellowship

• A monthly stipend of ₦500,000 to cover the logistics and production of your work. 
• Full access to Archivi.ng’s collections, online and offline.
• Personalised mentorship from experts relevant to your project. 
• Publication and distribution of your work on Archivi.ng’s platform and other channels.
• Collaborative learning circles with fellow participants.

Application Procedure

• Applications for The Archivi.ng Fellowship will be accepted from September 10, 2024, to 11:59 pm WAT, October 10, 2024. (Click To Apply)
• The applications will be reviewed, and shortlisted candidates will be notified. 
• The fellowship will run from November 2024 to April 2025.

Selection process

There will be two stages of selection: 

• In the first selection stage, projects will undergo an initial screening to review basic application requirements. Project proposals will be reviewed for their eligibility, alignment with our mission, the project's ambition, and the feasibility of what can be accomplished within the six-month window.
• In the second stage, shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by a selection team, reviewing the candidates’ experience, proposed projects, commitment, and feasibility. 

FAQs

• How is this fellowship funded? This fellowship is funded primarily from donations from individuals in our last crowdfunding campaign and a grant from Luminate.
• How much does it cost to participate? Participation in The Archivi.ng Fellowship is completely free.
• What does a winning project proposal look like? Your application should identify a specific slice of Nigerian history you want to explore, explain how you plan to incorporate archival materials (such as old newspapers, documents, photographs, etc.), outline potential impact, and provide a detailed execution timeline for the six-month fellowship period.
• Must my proposal be based on Archivi.ng’s collections? No, your project proposal can be based on any archival material you have access to.
• How much of a time commitment is required? All fellows are expected to commit 20 hours per week to The Archivi.ng Fellowship.
• Do I have to disclose details of any full-time employment commitment? Why? Disclosing details of any full-time employment commitments helps us better understand your availability and sets realistic expectations for project milestones and timelines. This ensures we can effectively allocate resources and support your success in the fellowship.
• What happens if I miss the application deadline? Late applications will not be considered. Please ensure you submit your application and all required materials by the October 10, 2024 deadline.
• When will the selected fellows be announced? The candidates selected for The Archivi.ng Fellowship will be announced on November 4, 2024.
• Can I work on my project outside of Nigeria? No, the fellowship is intended for Nigerian residents, and the projects should engage with Nigerian archival materials. However, fellows can work remotely within Nigeria if needed.

The Archivi.ng Fellowship is a unique opportunity for people invested in producing impactful work that endures – if this is you, apply now. Good luck.

For more enquiries and partnership opportunities (funding, distribution), email fellowship@archivi.ng