The first call for proposal for 100 PhDs for Africa Program 2021. UM6P and EPFLhave launched the Excellence in Africa initiative (EXAF) to support the rise of the next generation of researchers in Africa. This ground-breaking initiative aims to enhance their research skills through collaboration with EPFL professors. It is based on the premise that it will contribute to building their career and enable them to heighten their economic and societal impact in Africa.

The program ‘100 PhDs for Africa’ is one of three pillars of the EXAF initiative. It is designed to fund science and engineering graduates intending to complete a PhD at an African higher education institution.

Summary

PhD candidates benefiting from a UM6P/EPFL EXAF 100 PhDs for Africa fellowship will be jointly supervised by a professor employed by their African home institution and by an EPFL professor. They may spend short time periods at the EPFL in the laboratory of their EPFL co-supervisor, but will chiefly conduct their doctoral studies and their thesis research in Africa. Their degree will be solely awarded by their home institution.

Benefits 

The program awards funding of a maximum of 80’000 Swiss francs in total for a period of at most 54 months. Eligible costs include and are limited to:

• Living Allowances
• Tuition Fees
• Research Expenses
• Colloquia
• Costs related to joint supervision

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a national of an African country.
• Master’s degree awarded after the 1st of January 2018 or to be enrolled in the final year of the master study.
• Have an outstanding academic track record.
• Be enrolled in an African academic institution when the fellowship will start; and to reside in an African country for the duration of the PhD.
• Have the endorsement of a professor of an African institution willing to supervise the doctoral thesis for its full duration.

Application 

Applicants must submit their application with all required documents via the on-line submission platform. Before applying, read application guidelines.