The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), in partnership with the British Museum, has opened applications for the 2025 Unearth Fellowship Programme.
This prestigious initiative offers postgraduate students and early-career professionals a unique opportunity to engage in archaeological research, heritage preservation, and public engagement.
Designed to deepen understanding of Benin City’s rich cultural and historical landscape, the Unearth Fellowship immerses participants in field research, conservation techniques, as well as curatorial practice. The 2025 edition, themed “Fragments of the Past: The City’s Story Through Finds,” highlights post-excavation processes, including preservation and exhibition design.
Running from April to September 2025, the program integrates virtual learning sessions, expert mentorship, and a three-week intensive residency at the MOWAA Institute in Benin City. Fellows will collaborate with leading scholars and practitioners, exploring the evolving role of museums in contemporary discourse. The curriculum combines theoretical learning with hands-on training, culminating in public–facing projects that make archaeological research more accessible.
MOWAA encourages applications from a diverse range of disciplines, including archaeology, history, heritage studies, environmental sciences, and the arts. While prior experience in archaeology is not required, candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to cultural preservation and collaborative research.
By launching this fellowship, MOWAA continues to position itself as a leading force in re-examining how African artifacts are studied, displayed, and also interpreted. The program aims to attract a dynamic cohort of participants eager to contribute to the ongoing discourse on Africa’s material heritage.
For more details and to apply, see here
