Not every fellowship comes with a paycheck. This one comes with a research affiliation. The Social Sciences Lab MENA (SSL MENA) offers its MENA Junior Fellowship to graduates who want to build a research profile on the Middle East and North Africa.
It lasts one year and runs remotely. Fellows get mentorship and research supervision and help with academic publishing. The official page lists no stipend.
Be careful with dates. The 2026 programme guide shows milestones from 1 January to the end of June 2026. Those dates have passed. The current call has an application form but no deadline and no start date on the official page.
Last Information Checked: 11 November 2026
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
| Programme | MENA Junior Fellowship (described in the 2026 SSL MENA programme guide) |
| Organiser | Social Sciences Lab MENA (Võru Estonia) |
| Type | Remote research fellowship and affiliation |
| Length | 1 year |
| Who can apply | All nationalities with at least a Bachelor’s degree |
| Language | English required (Arabic is an asset but not required) |
| Stipend or funding | Not stated |
| Application fee | Not stated |
| Selection | Application form and then an interview for shortlisted applicants |
| Deadline | Not stated |
| Current start date | Not stated |
About the Social Sciences Lab MENA
SSL MENA is an independent and non governmental and non partisan research institution. It is based in the European Union with its address in Estonia. Its mission is to link scholars around the world who share an interest in MENA studies.
The Lab says it supports independent and emerging scholars with scientific and technical and financial help. The guide adds a limit. This help comes whenever it is feasible within ongoing projects. No amount is listed.
What Makes This Fellowship Different
The guide says the researcher comes first. Many institutes give fellows a fixed research agenda. SSL MENA says it lets members and fellows start research on topics they choose.
- Your topic: You choose research that fits your own interests. The Lab helps you move it to the next stage.
- A mixed community: Scholars from inside and outside the MENA region take part. Different ideas and backgrounds are welcome. The Lab expects research ethics and respect.
- Networking: The Lab links junior and senior scholars across fields.
- Funding help: The Lab helps fellows find and apply for funding such as ERC and Horizon Europe and Erasmus. It depends on your eligibility and on which programmes are open.
How the Fellowship Works
All activities take place online. There is no fixed daily meeting time. Most training sessions and workshops are on weekends so fellows in different time zones can join. Each task still has a set deadline.
| Activity | Number | Format |
| Tasks | 3 | Individual and group |
| Training sessions | 2 | Group |
| Workshops | 2 | Group |
| Research article | 1 | Individual |
The Lab can change the programme while it runs. It says it will tell fellows through meetings and email.
Fellowship Benefits
- A one year research affiliation with SSL MENA. It can be extended through access to the Lab Community.
- Tailored training, mentorship, and research supervision from experienced scholars
- Guidance and support in academic publishing
- Access to research data, collaborative projects and publication chances
- Participation in thematic research groups and professional development workshops
- Help with opportunities in European Union and Estonian funding and mobility and exchange schemes including Erasmus+ and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Help with grant applications and funding proposals
- Recommendations for scholarships or jobs
- Use of the Lab affiliation to publish articles or attend conferences
- A certificate for completing the programme and a certificate for each training session you attend
After the Fellowship
The Lab says the link does not end after the year. It lists these options for fellows who want to continue.
- Research guidance and supervision
- Peer review and help with manuscripts
- Collaborative research projects
- Help with proposals and grant applications
- Access to research opportunities and data
- Support for field research
- Hosting your project and helping with its start
Who Can Apply
- You can be of any nationality.
- You hold at least a Bachelor’s degree or equal.
- You are a graduate or an early career scholar who wants to strengthen your academic profile.
- You show a clear and lasting interest in MENA studies.
- You have good English. Arabic helps but is not needed.
- You can take part in scheduled sessions and group tasks.
Key Dates
- Deadline: Not stated
- Start date of the current intake: Not stated
- Length: One year
- Milestones in the 2026 guide (already passed):
- 1 January 2026: Fellowship starts
- 28 February 2026: Training and workshops end and the focus moves to the article
- 30 March 2026: Research paper deadline
- End of June 2026: SSL MENA Forum
How To Apply (Step By Step)
- Read the MENA Junior Fellowship page on the official site.
- Open the programme guide through the More info link on that page.
- Click Apply Now to open the online form.
- Fill in every required field with accurate details. Show your academic background and research interests. Explain why you want to join.
- Submit the form.
- If you are shortlisted the Lab invites you to an interview. You will discuss your application and research interests and what you could add to the fellowship.
Questions can go to fellowship@ssl-mena.org.
