Call for Applications
CRCA Emerging Conflict Analysts Fellowship
Cohort 2026
12 Weeks | September–December 2026 | Online | No Fellowship Fee
Programme starts 14 September 2026
01
About the Fellowship
The CRCA Emerging Conflict Analysts Fellowship is a 12-week professional development programme designed to equip emerging analysts with the knowledge, analytical frameworks and practical skills required to understand, assess and communicate conflict and conflict risk in African contexts.
The programme brings together conflict analysis, evidence evaluation, early warning, risk assessment, conflict data, intelligence analysis and professional analytical writing within a distinctly African analytical context.
02
What Fellows Will Learn
UNDERSTAND
Weeks 1–4
Foundations of conflict, African conflict landscapes, actors and drivers.
ANALYSE
Weeks 5–8
Evidence, conflict data, OSINT and structured analytical techniques.
ASSESS
Weeks 9–11
Early warning, risk assessment and forecasting in African contexts.
COMMUNICATE
Week 12
Professional analytical writing, briefing and portfolio completion.
| Week | Module | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1UNDERSTAND | Foundations of Conflict Analysis | Concepts, typologies and the analyst's role |
| Week 2 | African Conflict Landscapes | Regional dynamics, histories and structural drivers |
| Week 3 | Actors, Interests and Incentives | States, armed groups, communities and external actors |
| Week 4 | Drivers, Triggers and Accelerants | Structural, proximate and immediate causation |
| Week 5ANALYSE | Evidence and Source Evaluation | Sourcing, verification, bias and confidence levels |
| Week 6 | Conflict Data and OSINT | Event datasets, geospatial and open-source methods |
| Week 7 | Structured Analytical Techniques | Hypothesis testing, ACH, scenario logic |
| Week 8 | Intelligence Analysis Practice | Analytical standards, tradecraft and integrity |
| Week 9ASSESS | Early Warning Systems | Indicators, thresholds and monitoring frameworks |
| Week 10 | Conflict and Political Risk Assessment | Risk models, likelihood and impact |
| Week 11 | Forecasting and Scenario Building | Plausible futures, watch indicators and triggers |
| Week 12COMMUNICATE | Analytical Writing and Briefing | BLUF writing, policy briefs, oral briefing and portfolio review |
03
Who Should Apply
The fellowship is designed for emerging analysts working on, or seeking to work on, African peace, conflict and security issues. Applicants are typically:
- African nationals or residents, and others working substantively on African conflict contexts.
- Early-career researchers, analysts, practitioners, journalists or policy professionals.
- Postgraduate or final-year students in peace and conflict studies, international relations, political science, security studies, development, law, economics or related disciplines.
- Civil society, humanitarian, governance and early-warning practitioners seeking analytical depth.
- Applicants with strong written English and a demonstrated interest in evidence-based analysis.
- Applicants able to participate fully and consistently for the entire 12-week cycle.
No prior formal training in intelligence or risk analysis is required. Motivation, analytical curiosity and commitment matter more than seniority.
04
What Fellows Receive
- A 12-week structured fellowship.
- The CRCA Emerging Conflict Analyst Field Manual.
- Fellow Workbook & Analytical Toolkit.
- Weekly analytical seminars.
- Analyst Labs (applied, hands-on analytical sessions).
- Mentoring and portfolio development.
- Practical analytical experience on live African conflict contexts.
- A professional analytical portfolio.
- A final analytical assessment.
- A CRCA fellowship certificate upon successful completion.
The fellowship is offered at no cost to selected fellows.
05
Time Commitment
Approximately 4–6 hours per week, including the weekly seminar, the Analyst Lab and independent work.
06
Application Requirements
Applicants will need to provide:
- A CV (PDF or DOCX, maximum 10 MB).
- A Statement of Interest (completed within the online form).
- A writing sample (PDF or DOCX, maximum 10 MB).
- Basic personal, academic and professional information.
- Confirmation of availability for the full 12-week programme.
Applications for Cohort 2026 are now closed.
Applications are closed
Thank you for your interest in CRCA. Future cohorts will be announced through the CRCA newsletter and ACAN channels.