Who We Are
The West African Research Association (WARA) was founded in 1989 to enhance collaborative research and scholarly exchange between U.S. and West African scholars, educators, and institutions and to increase knowledge about and interest in Africa in the U.S. Its stated objectives are to:
- Provide U.S. and West African scholars access to research resources and expand research opportunities
- Create a point of contact for U.S. and West African researchers allowing the intersection of their respective research traditions
- Foster collaborative research efforts, conferences and projects
- Reinforce institutions on both sides of the Atlantic
- Supplement documentation resources
- Award fellowships to U.S. and West African scholars
- Encourage interest in international affairs and careers among U.S. graduate students
- Disseminate information on West Africa-related research issues and periodically organize meaningful and landmark seminars, symposia and conferences where experts and researchers and creative artists and thinkers from different horizons and backgrounds can meet and fruitfully exchange ideas, preoccupations, research results and stimulating thinking
Prior to WARA's founding, no other institution of its kind had existed in sub-Saharan Africa. In 1989, the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC), with the help of a grant from the Smithsonian Institution, hosted the first meeting of African and American scholars to establish objectives for the association. This meeting is considered to be the “birthdate” of WARA. Under its umbrella within the Smithsonian Institution, CAORC is a network of American overseas research centers in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia. WARA is the only such center located in Sub-Saharan Africa. As a member of CAORC, WARA receives support from the Department of State annual grant to CAORC. This support allows WARA to offer a range of research fellowships to West African and U.S.-based scholars. WARA also receives substantial funding from the U.S. Department of Education, funding which helps support its operations overseas and here in the U.S.
WARA is a member of the Association of African Studies Programs and is an affiliated member of the African Studies Association, thus linking it with mainstream organizations dedicated to the development of African area studies and research exchanges with sub-Saharan Africa. WARA programs complement the efforts of the National Resource Centers (NRC) for African Language and Area Studies (Title VI Centers) to improve the cross-cultural learning of students and faculty in the U.S. through study in Africa. As such, WARA's programs help to address the NRC's concern for quality infrastructure for overseas study and research programs in Africa.
WARA fellowships and internships funded by grants from the U.S. Department of State through CAORC make it possible for a broad range of educators and students to experience professional exchanges and carry out research projects in West Africa. For example, WARA's Residency fellowships for West African scholars program allows West African researchers access to WARA member institutions for a few months of library research, guest lecturing, or collaborative work with American colleagues. Our Travel Grant Program supports West African scholars attending international meetings in their fields. Our Pre-doctoral and Post-doctoral Fellowship programs support scholars with their research endeavors in West Africa. And the WARA Graduate Student Summer Internship program allows students from under-represented groups to conduct internships with various organizations operating in West Africa. Please visit our Funding page for more details on these exciting programs.
WARC
WARA has an overseas office, called the West African Research Center (WARC) in Dakar, Senegal. You can find more information about WARC by clicking on the link above, or by going to WARC's website at www.warc-croa.org.
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