African Studies Center (ASC)

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AFRICAN PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS - 322402 

The University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars (UMAPS) fellowship has brought early and mid-career faculty members from 17 countries across the African continent to the University of Michigan to enrich the collaboration of research and strengthen partnerships with African Institutions. The program supports the development of the next generation of African scholars by integrating them into international academic networks, and promotes U-M’s international commitment to research and teaching collaborations across diverse disciplines, from engineering to literature to economics. In the last 16 years, the UMAPS program has seen nearly 300 scholars successfully complete the fellowship and go on to do amazing things in their home countries and around the world. 

ASC STUDENT SUPPORT - 331558

You can help ASC support more U-M students undertake research or internship projects in and on Africa, and make Africa-focused opportunities broadly accessible to all interested students. ASC was able to support 25 student projects in the last academic year, but there are so many more students interested in Africa than what we can support. Your tax-deductible gift of any size can make a real difference!

In 2021/22, ASC distributed 25 awards, amounting to over $39,000 in support. Of these, 19 awards supported research, five supported student internships in or relating to Africa, and one funded a student for intensive language study. The grant recipients came from eight different schools and colleges—School of Education; College of Engineering; Law School; College of Literature, Science and the Arts; School of Music, Theater and Dance; School of Nursing; Ford School Public Policy; School of Public Health—with projects focusing on 14 African countries, i.e., Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Of the awards, 17 went to graduate students, five to students from  professional schools, and three to undergraduate students—with topics as diverse as public health, urban planning, linguistics, modern and ancient history, social media culture, and more. Learn more about these awards, click here.

This last year, ASC distributed 14 awards totaling over $36,000 that supported students to go to 7 different countries. We hope to raise enough funds to award $40,000 in scholarships this upcoming 2025 Spring semester.

ASC is also proud to support the activities and programming of Africa-focused student organizations. Some organizations are: the African Students Association, the African Graduate Students Association, the African Business Club, and Violations against Indigenous Africa.

In collaboration with our language faculty and encouragement from students, African Languages Day was born. March 2024 featured the third annual African Languages Day. 

For more about our many activities throughout the academic year, both on campus and on the continent, please sign up for our every-2-week e-newsletter and visit our website.