Leo Africa Institute Griots
Applications are now open for the 2026 Leo Africa Institute Griots Fellowship. A transformative program for African storytellers, journalists, and cultural leaders shaping narratives and preserving African heritage.
The Griots Fellowship honors Africa’s ancient tradition of storytelling while equipping modern-day narrators with the skills, platforms, and networks to shape authentic African narratives in a globalized world.
Named after the traditional West African storytellers who preserved history and culture through oral tradition, this fellowship supports journalists, writers, filmmakers, artists, and cultural practitioners who are crafting the stories that define Africa’s present and future.
Through intensive training, creative projects, and collaborative learning, Fellows develop both their craft and their leadership capacity as cultural changemakers.
The fellowship is looking for storytellers, journalists, and cultural practitioners who are committed to shaping authentic African narratives.
For journalists, editors, and media professionals telling Africa’s stories through traditional and digital media — covering investigative journalism, multimedia storytelling, and data journalism.
For filmmakers, writers, poets, and artists crafting narratives through creative expression — including film production, creative writing, visual storytelling, and digital content creation.
For cultural practitioners preserving and promoting African heritage, traditions, and languages — spanning oral history documentation, indigenous knowledge systems, and language revitalization.
An eight-month journey through intensive residencies, workshops, and independent creative projects designed to shape Africa’s next generation of storytellers.
Master the art of crafting compelling narratives that authentically represent African experiences and challenge stereotypes.
Develop technical skills across media formats while navigating ethical considerations in representation and storytelling.
Build sustainable media platforms, amplify your voice, and present capstone creative projects to audiences and partners.
Application Deadline: April 30th, 2026
Grant Atlas