AfricaLics – the African Network for Economics of Learning, Innovation and Competence Building Systems – is now taking applications for its 2023 PhD Visiting Fellowship Programme from qualified PhD students from African universities.
Applications for the AfricaLics AfricaLics (African Network of Economics of Learning, Innovation and Competence Building Systems) is looking for African PhD candidates to participate in the Innovation and Development-focused Visiting Fellowship Programme.
The visiting fellowship programme and the scholarships are intended to help African PhD students working in the field of Innovation and Development strengthen their academic/research qualifications, improve the quality of their dissertations, and prepare for a career in innovation and development either within academia or outside (e.g., in the private sector, government, or policy making).
The VFP accomplishes this through increasing PhD students’ mobility and exposure to worldwide innovation and development knowledge. The program is part of AfricaLics’ attempts to assist in the development of a robust research community in Africa in this booming and highly interdisciplinary field.
AfricaLics Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme Eligibility Table of Contents
Be enrolled as a doctoral student in an African university.
Completed their first academic year by December 2022
Have a background in Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Science and Technology Policy, Business, Geography, History, or Development Studies (BSc, MSc, etc.). Applicants may also work in STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) disciplines, technology management, or even manufacturing from a social science perspective.
Possess adequate English proficiency (documentation may be requested).
Actively researching a topic pertinent to the sphere of innovation and development, as mentioned above.
Submit a one-page/500-word application outlining your background, reason for applying, and anticipated benefits of your participation in the AfricaLics PhD visiting fellowship programme.
Cost of the AfricaLics Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme
Reimbursement will be provided for economy-class round-trip airfare from your closest international airport as well as health insurance.
Students must purchase their own health insurance for the duration of their studies, although the AfricaLics secretariat will pay the costs.
The visiting scholars will receive a monthly stipend of 9500 South African rand (about $600 USD as of the end of June 2022 currency rate).
This amount should cover all living expenditures and transportation costs in Johannesburg, including travel to and from the University of Johannesburg campus.
A predetermined sum is made available to finance student participation in specific course activities (over and above the stipend).
During the duration of study at UJ, funding is available for scheduling trilateral meetings between the PhD student, the main supervisor from the home institution, and the AfricaLics mentor(s).
The award covers solely fees associated with the student’s own visit.
They are currently investigating the idea of making a small amount of funding available to cover the costs of accompanying pre-school-aged children of single parents who are offered the fellowship.
This financing is unfortunately not currently assured. The scholarship does not cover the costs of any additional travel the student may desire to undertake in South Africa, unless such travel is part of approved course activities.
The AfricaLics secretariat will secure and pay for lodging during the Johannesburg research trip. The housing will be on or near the UJ campus, where the students’ working space is located.
Application Instructions for the AfricaLics Visiting PhD Fellowship
The following documents must accompany the application:
Brief description of your present doctoral research with training plan (max. 5 pages). Please be certain to:
Clarify the conceptual and theoretical frameworks you employ in your research.
Specify your research questions with care, ensuring that they are crystal clear and targeted.
Indicate how you want to answer each of your research questions.
Clearly identify the data/information sources from which you will get the required evidence.
Describe your strategy for gathering this proof (using e.g. interviews; data bases, surveys etc.)
Curriculum Vitae – CV (including PhD courses attended so far)
Letter of support from the student’s primary PhD advisor verifying that the student will have completed his/her upgrade/probation/thesis defense by the end of December 2022.
Supporting letter from the University Administration of the institution where the PhD candidate is enrolled.
Copies of educational credentials (copies of Bachelor and Master Certificates as a minimum)
One essay or chapter sample from the current PhD program
When applying for the PhD visiting fellowship programme, you are NOT need to submit a copy of your passport. If you are awarded the scholarship, you will be responsible for any visa complications that may arise. The collection of personal information will be limited, held securely, and not utilized for other reasons.
Applications with all required attachments must be sent to visitingphd@africalics.org by 15 September 2022 at 23:00 East Africa Time (EAT).
Official Application Form Link