In addition to our guest-edited section described below, we always welcome submissions on a rolling basis, with no deadline for consideration. Please do think of us if your research or professional background touches on festive practices! You can also view this announcement as a PDF. International borders affect you every day. They play a role in determining whether you are a birthright citizen or an unauthorized migrant. They showcase a nation’s ability or inability to guarantee your wellbeing. They factor into immigration, asylum, and national security debates. Media and political analysts often portray borders as places where pathos, illegality, and poverty thrive innately. Yet, they are also places where ordinary citizens make historical claims, or defend, criticize, and even parody immigration and security policy. While many of those border enactments are rightly serious or even melancholy in tone, some recurring rituals like border festivals foreground whimsical or celebratory narratives. This issue seeks submissions that critically engage with border festivals—recurring ritual enactments performed at, across, or in close proximity to an international boundary line that foster cross-border communication, create opportunities for practical governance, or occasion the memorialization of shared histories. It also provides a platform for scholarly and creative submissions that critically engage how borders and boundaries can be invoked metaphorically through music, literature, performance art, and/or the built environment. Situated at the crossroads of de-centering the state and embracing the everyday-ness of borders, geographer Chris Rumford’s appeal to “vernacularize” border studies using concepts such as “borderwork” and “seeing like a border” provides an excellent starting point for this invitation to take the study of festive borders and boundaries seriously. His concept of “borderwork” emphasizes “bottom-up” activity and specifically the everyday meaning-making labor, or the bordering practices, of citizens and non-citizens (Rumford 2006, 2008, and 2013). “Seeing like a border” is premised on the idea that borders should be understood as the business of everyone, not just the business of the state. While considerations of state practices are still (and should remain) vital to the study of border festivals, it is safe to say that dominant, static, top-down approaches are incomplete. Reflecting on anthropological theories that link festive practices to “expected” moments of life transitions (Van Gennep 1960; Turner 1987), David Picard draws attention to the ways in which festivals can also play a role in mediating unanticipated crises such as “the shock of migration” and “environmental disaster”—two global challenges that shape the contemporary study of borders. Indeed, existing studies of border festivals, traditions, commemorations, and enactments elaborate this point on a much larger scale. Methodologically diverse and ranging from festival traditions in the Senegambia and the trans-Volta (Ghana/Togo) that emphasize the “centrality of the margins” (Nugent 2019), to the meticulously choreographed Wagah ceremony that transpires at the India/Pakistan border (Menon 2013), to cultural performances that delineate the Kashmir conflict (Aggarwal 2004), to the long-standing celebration of George Washington’s Birthday on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border (Peña 2020), to the religiously-inflected and festive revival of historical social groupings between China, Mongolia, and Russia (Billé and Humphrey 2021)—they have underlined how a range of actors make national and ethnic affiliation identity claims public, stage historical memory, recover from natural disasters, and even shape practical governance through stylized acts of crossing and gathering. Moreover, borders may also be critically invoked in the design and production of “borderless” or “borderlands” celebrations (e.g., No Border Fest, Borderland Music Festival). What stands out across these theorizations (and what makes them the key to study of border festivals) is their inbuilt foundation in performance theory and especially performativity. This special issue invites us to think creatively about the idea that borders are always in the making both at and beyond international boundary lines. In both contexts, they are actualized festively through embodiment and stylized rituals that ffect change in the social world. As the first of its kind, this issue aims to create a generative space for the future study of border festivals. We are looking for a variety of submissions ranging from previously unpublished methodological reflections, artist statements, illustrations, documentaries and interactive media to research reports and evidence-based papers that engage festive border commemorations of any kind. Some possible themes for exploration include: conceptualizing borders and boundaries as festive intangible heritage and cultural memory across borderlands organization, logistics, and finance cross-border cooperation and practical governance global challenges: climate change, mass displacement, public health participation, reception, conflict, and political efficacy festive landscapes and built environments embodiment, choreography, and evolving repertoires pleasure through collaboration In line with the interdisciplinary nature of the Journal of Festive Studies, we welcome submissions of original research and analysis rooted in a variety of fields including (but not limited to): social and cultural history, anthropology, archaeology, cultural geography, architecture, technology, musicology, museum studies, literary studies and performance studies. In addition to traditional academic essays, we invite short essays and creative contributions that incorporate digital media such as timelines and maps, photographic essays, digital exhibitions, interactive media, documentaries, illustrations, creative audio, and interviews that engage with festivity. We invite you to submit an abstract and short bio by January 15, 2025. The submission deadline for completed article manuscripts is August 1, 2025. Please make sure to consult the journal submission guidelines. If you have any further questions, please contact Elaine A. Peña at penae@wustl.edu. H-Net: Humanities and Social Sciences Online, the publisher of the Journal of Festive Studies, is committed to open access. All H-Net content, including journals, monographs, and reviews, are freely available to both authors and readers. There are no charges to submit or publish in the Journal of Festive Studies. Read more

Africana Annual: A Journal of African and African Diaspora Studies The Department of African & African American Studies at the University of Kansas and the Africana Annual and to invite the submission of full-length original articles and review essays. Africana Annual is a broadly conceived annual interdisciplinary peer-reviewed journal that provides an avenue for critical dialogues and analysis of the African, African American, and African Diasporic experiences.  Aims and Scope Africana Annual is an interdisciplinary journal encompassing history, politics, sociology, performance arts, economics, literature, cultural studies, anthropology, Africana studies, gender studies, ethnic studies, religious studies, the fine arts, digital humanities, and other allied disciplines, Africana Annual embraces a variety of humanistic and social scientific methodologies for understanding the social, political, and cultural meanings and functions of the varied experiences of Africana.   Submissions to Africana Annual must reflect the intellectual and political connections between Africa and the African Diaspora and to serve as a critical space for scholarly explorations of their shared historical and contemporary realities. We invite authors to submit work that examines key issues deepen inter-disciplinary and global conversations on topics about African America, Africa (north and south of the Sahara), and the Diaspora. Submission Policies Submissions to Africana Annual must be original, unpublished work not submitted for publication elsewhere while under review by Africana Annual editors. The journal encourages authors to submit unsolicited articles and comprehensive review essays. All academic articles should be between 20 and 30 pages. Comprehensive review essays should be about 10 to 15 pages in length.  Please include an abstract of 150–200 words that clearly states the main arguments of your article. The abstract should contain 3-5 keywords, along with a biographical statement of 50–75 words with full contact information and e-mail address. to accompany your submission. Authors should submit their manuscripts using the journal system. Please contact the editors at africana@ku.edu if there are any questions.  All manuscripts must follow the current edition of the Chicago Manual of Style and should use endnotes. All submissions must be in 12 point Times New Roman, double spaced, with 1″margins. Again, please note that we only accept manuscripts in Word format. All manuscripts accepted are subject to editorial modification. Peer Review All research articles in Africana Annual undergo rigorous peer review. After an initial editor screening, submissions will be based on anonymous double-blind refereeing by two referees.    The deadline for submission is August 31, 2024 Read more

Grant size: 1 million Euros Donor: The Science Foundation Ireland The SDG Challenge seeks to support diverse, transdisciplinary teams to develop transformative, sustainable solutions that will contribute to addressing development challenges under the UN SDGs in countries where Irish Aid works.    SFI and Irish Aid are seeking solutions that contribute to SDG 2: Zero Hunger, “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”. The SDG Challenge supports highly motivated, transdisciplinary teams developing transformative, sustainable solutions for UN SDGs in Irish Aid’s partner countries. Furthermore, interested applicants should take note of the following criteria: Teams must be transdisciplinary and focused on developing sustainable solutions for UN SDGs in Irish Aid’s partner countries. Teams should combine technical and non-technical skills and represent collaborative partnerships between researchers in Ireland and the partner country. Expertise in a STEM research area is necessary ,along with knowledge or experience in complementary fields like international development, economics, or behavioral science. Two academic researchers must be in the core team, with at least one from a relevant STEM discipline. Funding should reflect the contributions of all team members. https://www.afterschoolafrica.com/87048/science-foundation-ireland-sfi-2024-sustainable-development-challenge-over-e1000000-grant/ Read more

Grant size: $500,000 - $2,500,000 Donor: Mastercard Foundation The Agribusiness Challenge Fund will provide SMEs with innovative and commercially viable agribusinesses across 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa the opportunity to receive support to upscale their businesses in a bid to create sustainable employment opportunities for young people, with particular focus on young women. Selected SMEs will receive support from the Fund, including grants ranging from US$ 500,000 to US$ 2,500,000, disbursed over a 3-year period, based on the applicants’ development stage, scalability and business model, in accordance with agreed periodic milestone targets. The funding structure will be determined on a case-by-case basis after evaluating proposals and organizations. Additional support to successful applicants will include tailored technical assistance in alignment with FRP objectives over the 3-year period. https://mastercardfdn.org/all/the-mastercard-foundation-fund-for-resilience-and-prosperity-launches-agribusiness-challenge-fund/ Read more

Grant Size: Fellowship Donor: AfDB/Government of Japan Applications are now open for the AfDB Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program. This scholarship is open to applicants from African Development Bank member countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a graduate degree program in energy development and related disciplines. https://www.opportunitiesforafricans.com/afdb-japan-africa-dream-scholarship-jads-program-2024-2025/ Read more

Deadline: 4th October 2024 Grant size: Fellowship Donor: AREF Research Development The Africa Research Excellence Fund is pleased to launch the call for the 2024/25 AREF Research Development Fellowship Programme.  Programme Overview Aim. To support researchers in Africa who are emerging leaders and working on important challenges for human health, to develop their skills as a researcher. What we offer. A three to nine-month placement at a leading research institution in the UK, Europe or Africa, with additional support at your home institution before and after the placement. Up to £47,000 available Who is eligible? Early career researchers. These are research active post-doctoral scientists and clinicians with higher qualifications who are nationals of and employed in Africa (see detailed eligibility criteria). How to apply. Read the guidance documents carefully before developing your proposal and starting your application. Complete the application form via the portal at https://programmes.aref-africa.org.uk/ https://africaresearchexcellencefund.org.uk/funding-calls/open-funding-research-development-fellowship-2024-25/ Read more

Deadline: 1st October 2024 Grant Size: Not available Donor: Kellog Foundation While at the Kellogg Institute, postdoctoral fellows interact with leading scholars one-to-one and through the Institute’s seminars and lectures, international conferences, roundtable discussions on world affairs, and cultural events. The facilities at the Hesburgh Center are ideal for scholarly research. Fellows have spacious offices, on-site information technology support, and full access to library services, as well as other campus facilities. We invite applications from scholars who conduct international research on our themes of global democracy and/or human development. Applicants may come from any country and must have recently earned a PhD within the last five years.Most successful applicants will work in a social science discipline or in history. Advanced ABD graduate students may apply, but awards are contingent on their having completed the PhD before June 30 of the starting fellowship year. https://kellogg.nd.edu/opportunities/visiting-researchers/about-our-postdoctoral-visiting-fellowships#tab-3426 Read more

Grant Size: $100,000 to $500,000 Donor: Spencer Foundation The Spencer Foundation is pleased to announce the Research-Practice Partnership Grants Program to support education research projects that engage in collaborative and participatory partnerships. They view partnerships as an important approach to knowledge generation and the improvement of education, broadly construed. Rigorous partnership work is intentionally organized to engage diverse forms of expertise and perspectives, across practitioners, scholars, and organizations, as well as disciplines and methods, in knowledge generation around pressing problems of practice and/or policy. This grant program is open to existing partnerships between researchers and a broad array of practitioners. For example, practitioners might work in school districts, county offices of education, state educational organizations, universities, community-based organizations, and other social sectors that significantly impact learners’ lives. https://www.spencer.org/grant_types/research-practice-partnerships Read more

Grant Size: Not Available German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) The German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) has launched applications for the Agroecological Innovations for Territorial Markets initiative to support joint research projects between German research institutions and similar institutions in countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia that are strongly affected by hunger and malnutrition. The funding aims to promote needs-oriented insights and solutions to improve food security, giving particular consideration to quality aspects and drawing on approaches to research that are participatory, practice- and application-oriented, as well as inter- and transdisciplinary. In addition, the aim is to establish and promote long-term scientific networks and partnerships via interregional cooperation and transnational exchange of knowledge. A contribution to local capacity development is a further objective. https://www.ble.de/EN/Project-Funding/Funding-Contracts/International-Research-Cooperation/Research-Cooperation-Global-Food-Security/Innovation_markets.html Read more

Grant size: $500,000 - $1 million Donor: USAID The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is currently accepting applications for the Local Partner Fund (LPF). Purpose The USAID/DRC Local Partner Fund (LPF) will strive to ensure that, in all activities, local partner and/or local communities lead development and humanitarian efforts, including problem identification, priority setting, design, partnership formation, implementation, and measuring results as defined by the Agency locally-led program indicator. The LPF will make a significant contribution to the USAID direct funding to local organizations objectives while enhancing the application of best practices for locally led development. USAID LPF will advance USAID DRC localization agenda by addressing competition requirements and allowing an open solicitation process to receive concepts for partnering with local organizations and increasing their ability to generate and achieve locally led solutions to major development challenges, and by providing direct awards to local organizations to implement activities. USAID LPF will work in tandem with USAID Localization Capacity Strengthening Mechanism to respond to capacity building needs in partner organizations and help to strengthen the abilities of local partners beyond the donor-awardee relationship in a way that guarantees consistency, mutual accountability, and sustainability. USAID LPF will consider inclusive development as a key element of USAID local programming across the DRC and CAR, and will foster collaboration, learning, and adapting, as prerequisites for successful implementation. https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/355506 Read more

Grant Size: $100,000 to $500,000  Donor: US Mission to Tanzania The U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam/Bureau of African Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to create targeted exchange programs and a conference aimed at relevant Tanzanian policymakers, civil servants, and civil society to explore internet governance structures and strategies that promote a free and open internet governance policy in Tanzania to catalyze the expansion of the local digital economy and lead to economic growth. This opportunity seeks to directly engage a Tanzanian civil society organization to identify a cohort of colleagues across a range of sectors, engage the cohort through multiple education and information sessions, and organize a major international conference on the theme of building resilient, open, and democratic digital systems. The conference should include U.S. experts who can advise on regulatory firewalls, policy creation and coordination, and balancing the protection of individual rights, general online safety and security with freedom of expression principles. The selected organization should have demonstrated familiarity with Tanzania’s civic space and policy processes. https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/355559   Read more

 Grant Size: $10,000 to $100,000 The Private Enterprise Development in Low-Income Countries (PEDL) is pleased to announce applications for the Research Grant Programme that aims to better understand what determines the strength of market forces driving efficiency in low-income countries (LICs). Existing research suggests that the private sector in LICs faces a multitude of constraints that act upon each other. What is needed is research that allows them to understand how these constraints interact. ERGs are grants of between £10,000 and £40,000. These grants will fund research assistance, data collection and new surveys in LICs, and (if necessary) teaching buyouts for the principal investigator. Please note that cost effectiveness and value for money are important evaluation criteria. Eligibility Criteria ERGs are designed to allow researchers to: Explore new approaches to the study of firms in LICs; and To develop new (or build on) existing sources of data on firms in LICs. https://pedl.cepr.org/content/38th-regular-erg-call-open-deadline-19th-august-2024   Read more