We're excited to open applications for the second cohort of The Archivi.ng Fellowship, a six-month, multidisciplinary programme supporting people with big questions, important stories, and powerful tools that can help us make sense of Nigerian history. This cohort will run from January to June 2026.

The theme of this cohort is framed around Archivi.ng's great inquiry that we've titled The More Things Change. We're asking a deceptively simple question with this inquiry: Why does Nigeria keep repeating the same patterns? In our politics. In our economy. In our daily lives. And everything in between.

We're looking for storytellers, technologists, researchers, and anyone who wants to explore this question by digging into Nigeria's historical record. We're looking for people who believe that interrogating the past sharpens our understanding of the present and helps us prepare differently for the future.

Apply now

What we're looking for

We want ambitious, accessible projects that:

• Are rooted in archival materials, from newspapers, magazines, audiovisuals, or other sources.
• Aim to help people understand patterns and cycles in Nigerian life.
• Can be completed within 6 months, and are led by people who can take ownership and follow through. Projects where work has already begun are welcome.

Whether you're building a dataset, working on a film, building an interactive tool, or writing a white paper, we want work that moves people, sharpens understanding, and endures.

Fellowship tracks

We've introduced three project tracks to provide structure and clarity:

• Storytelling: For people producing compelling narratives that connect the past to the present. This can exist in any format, as long as it serves the function.
• Research: For people producing rigorous analysis and insights that help people see Nigeria differently and more clearly.
• Technology: For people building tools and bending code that turn archives into publicly usable context: timelines, interactive experiences, etc.

This fellowship is for you if you are:

• Nigerian, at home or in diaspora.
• Deeply curious about Nigerian history and have proven ability to produce rigorous research, compelling narrative or interactive tools.
• Deeply committed to producing excellent, useful, and publicly accessible work.
• Comfortable working independently, but open to collaboration.
• Digitally-savvy and fluent in online collaboration tools like Notion and Slack.

Some benefits of the fellowship:

• ₦500,000/month stipend (January - June 2026).
• At least ₦1 million in project support, paid out over the course of the fellowship.
• Access to Archivi.ng's archives and tools.
• Publishing, exhibition, or technical integration of your final project.
• Learning circles and peer review sessions with your co-fellows.

Application procedure

• Applications for The Archivi.ng Fellowship will be accepted from September 30, 2025 to 11:59 PM WAT, October 31, 2025.
• All applications will be reviewed, and shortlisted candidates will be notified on or before November 30, 2025.

Selection process

There will be two stages of selection:

• In the first selection stage, projects will undergo an initial screening by a selection committee 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.

There are patterns in our history. Some are beautiful. Some are devastating. What's clear is this: we can't break cycles we don't understand.

If you're obsessed with questions, ideas, stories, or tools that help us make sense of Nigerian history, we want you.

Join us. Let's make something that endures.

Apply now

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is The Archivi.ng Fellowship?

The Archivi.ng Fellowship is a six-month programme for storytellers, researchers, and technologists working to make sense of Nigerian history using archival materials. Fellows receive funding, mentorship, and publishing support to complete a project that informs, provokes, or inspires.

What’s the theme for this cohort?

The theme is The More Things Change, an inquiry into recurring patterns in Nigerian society. Fellows will explore how the past continues to shape the present and how archives can help us see those patterns more clearly.

How many fellows will be selected?

Six in total. A maximum of two slots will be available for Nigerians in the diaspora.

What types of projects will be selected?

We accept a wide range of projects—written, visual, audio, technical, or interdisciplinary—as long as they are:

• Rooted in archival materials, including newspapers, magazines, oral histories, archival footage, audio recordings, and other sources of Nigerian life and memory.
• Relevant to Nigerian history.
• Achievable within six months.
• Designed with a clear audience in mind.

What are the project tracks?

There are three:

• Storytelling – narrative formats like essays, podcasts, short films, and exhibitions.
• Research – rigorous analytical work, reports, or investigative deep dives.
• Technology – tools that transform access to or understanding of archival materials (e.g. timelines, databases, bots, visualisations).

You'll be asked to identify a primary track during application, but we understand projects may overlap.

Who can apply?

Anyone who:

• Has a clear, compelling project idea.
• Is deeply curious about Nigerian history.
• Has a track record of producing thoughtful, high-quality work (in any field).
• Can commit 15 to 20 hours/week for the fellowship's six-month duration.

Can I apply from outside Nigeria?

Yes. We welcome applications from the Nigerian diaspora. However:

• The project must engage Nigerian archival materials.
• The project must be designed for a Nigerian or Africa-interested audience.
• You must be able to work remotely.
• All fellows, whether based in Nigeria or abroad, will receive the same monthly stipend. We're unable to provide additional funding for international travel, currency differences, or international transfers.
• Diaspora applicants should ensure their proposed project is feasible within this funding structure. Applicants are welcome to seek additional or alternate sources of funding independently, but this will not affect the selection process and must not compromise project delivery or independence.

Can I apply as a team?

No. The fellowship is designed for individual applicants. That said, collaboration is allowed during execution, and you may credit others.

Can I submit more than one application?

No. You should focus on submitting your strongest idea.

Do I retain ownership of my work?

Yes. Fellows retain full intellectual property (IP) rights, a perpetual, royalty-free license to host, publish, and integrate. For projects that require long-term integration—such as tools, datasets, or interactive features—we will work with you to ensure smooth deployment. This may include:

• Hosting your tool on our infrastructure.
• Forking the codebase with credit to you.
• Creating a maintenance or handoff plan post-fellowship.
• Our goal is to preserve and extend the impact of your work, not to restrict it.

Do I need to be full-time?

Not necessarily. We expect fellows to dedicate at least 15 to 20 hours per week, with clear progress across three structured milestones.

Will I meet the other fellows?

Yes, through scheduled peer-learning circles, virtual check-ins, and a final group presentation.

Do I have to live in Lagos?

No. The fellowship is remote-first. Archivi.ng will provide hybrid access to archives and support tools.

Apply now

Still Have Questions?

For more information (enquiries, funding and partnerships), email fellowship@archivi.ng.