African Research Fellowship 2024/2025 (Funded)

The African Research Fellow (ARF) program jointly carried out by ESA and AUC aims to empower African researchers (PhD or Master degree with extensive research experience) to engage in Earth Observation (EO) R&D activities relevant to the EO AFRICA Initiative.

The African Research Fellows are expected to maximise the use of EO data, integrating it with in-situ and state-of-the-art modelling approaches in a cloud environment, to address key challenges facing the African continent particularly in the areas of water resources management and food security. With this call, ESA offers 1-year fellowships to four African researchers to work at the ESA-ESRIN premises in Frascati (Rome, Italy), in collaboration with ESA scientists. Activities in Frascati must begin no later than June 2025.

Research Areas

Applicants are invited to propose a 1-year R&D project focused on Water Resource Management or Food Security, utilizing Earth Observation satellite data. Proposals addressing smallholder needs (e.g., farming, agricultural water use, regenerative agriculture, water productivity, irrigation systems, nutrient management, pest infestations) or issues related to coastal processes (e.g., ecosystems, coastal waters, geomorphology, coastal urbanization, tourism) and fisheries (e.g., aquaculture, habitat suitability, algal blooms, impacts of climate change) are especially encouraged.

The research activities will be aligned with the EO AFRICA R&D Initiative, which provides training and scientific tools for the selected African research fellows. The EO AFRICA Space Academy and its Digital Campus will offer access to a wealth of expertise and resources to support the research fellows. Additionally, the EO AFRICA Innovation Lab will facilitate collaboration between African research fellows and European scientists to implement their research ideas.

Fellowship of African Research

• 1-year length fellowship. Not extendable.
• Computer Laptop/Desktop provided by ESA
• Shared office in ESA/ESRIN
• Support to obtain VISA through Ministry of Foreign Affairs (i.e. MFA/MAE)
• ID card from Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (i.e. MFA/MAE) Card and Codice Fiscale
• Assistance for opening Bank account at ESRIN
• Option to request housing hunting service
• As for the personal health/accident/civil responsibility insurance, the ARF will have to arrange autonomously his/her own insurance coverage.
• Travel to/from original country (3000 EUR for travel)
• Standard International Research Fellow salary (circa 2500 EUR x 12 months)
• Scientific network activities (e.g. conference) (maximum ceiling of 2000 EUR)

Check : United States Institute of Peace (USIP) Scholar Fellowship Program 2025-2026 (Funded)

Eligibility for African Research

• Applicants should have a PhD (or Master degree with extensive research experience) in a relevant technical or scientific discipline.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, both independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrated experience in using Python and developing Jupyter Notebooks.
• Fluency in English and/or French, the working languages of the Agency.
• Ability to produce scientific papers to a high standard in English and to interact effectively with the international scientific community in English.

Also Check : L’Oréal USA Fellowship Program 2025

Application

Applicants must submit the following documents:

• Research Proposal (use the template provided with the ARF package)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) including a list of recent publications (maximum 3 pages)
• Copy of Identification (preferably passport)
• Scan of PhD or Master’s Diploma
• Two (2) Reference Letters

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