Applications are open for Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) PhD Scholarships. RSIF aims to train quality PhD students and post-doctoral researchers at selected African universities (‘African Host Universities’) to address the human resource gap of highly qualified specialists in the fields of applied sciences, engineering, and technology (ASET) and to contribute to improving research and innovation capacities in those fields in SSA.

Thematic Areas

RSIF supports training, research, and innovation in five PASET Priority Thematic Areas

• ICT including big data and artificial intelligence
• Food security and agri-business
• Minerals, mining, and materials engineering
• Energy including renewables
• Climate change.

Benefits

• The RSIF PhD Scholarship covers university tuition and related fees, competitive stipend to cover living expenses, travel, medical insurance, and research costs.
• Graduates will have access to RSIF competitive research grants upon completion of their PhD.

Eligibility 

In order to be eligible for Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) PhD Scholarshipsa, applicants must:

• Have a relevant master’s degree in one of the fields of study.
• Meet the specific admission requirements of the RSIF African Host University where they would like to pursue a PhD (see Link to the AHU PhD programs)
• Be a citizen of a sub-Saharan Africa country.
• Preference will be given to applicants who are 35 years of age and below.
• Be willing to enroll full-time in a PhD program at an RSIF African Host University in the 2021-2022 academic year.
• Should not be holding another PhD scholarship, or currently be enrolled in any PhD Program when applying to the RSIF PhD scholarship.
• Be willing to spend 6-24 months in a ‘sandwich’ research placement at an international partner institute.
• Demonstrate that their research goals are well aligned to the Priority Thematic Areas and contribute to Africa’s development.

Applications are accepted through this online application platform: Applications submitted by email or in hardcopy will not be accepted.