Applications are now open for funded AfricaLics Visiting PhD Fellowship Program 2020. The aim of the visiting fellowship program and the scholarships is to help African PhD students working in the field of Innovation and Development to strengthen their academic/research qualifications. Also, improve the quality of their dissertations and prepare for a career in innovation and development either within academia or outside.

The program does this by increasing the international mobility and exposure of students to international knowledge in various fields. The program forms part of the efforts by AfricaLics to contribute to the development of a vibrant research community in Africa in this emerging and highly multidisciplinary field.

The Swedish Development Agency, Sida (Stockholm) provides funding for the visiting scholarships. It is as part of the project Enhancing research capacity on Innovation and Development in Africa through the African Network on Learning, Innovation and Competence Building Systems (AfricaLics) – Phase II (2017-2021).

Benefits of AfricaLics Visiting PhD Fellowship Program 2020

1. Travel costs and health insurance will be covered, but students have to be registered with the Danish authorities before the health insurance becomes active. This may take some time. Students must, therefore, take out their own health insurance for the first two weeks of the stay.
2. The visiting scholars will receive a stipend of 16,000 DKK per month (equivalent to the app. 2140 USD as per September 2020). This includes funds for accommodation. The tax exemption has to be applied after the candidates arrive and cannot be guaranteed. So, it is advisable to bring extra funds for the first two months of the visiting fellowship period. If an agreement is made that Danida Fellowship Centre in Copenhagen houses the visiting fellow, the stipend amount may change.
3. A fixed amount is available to cover student participation in selected course activities and for supervision (over and above the stipend).
4. Funding is available for organizing trilateral meetings between the PhD student, the main supervisor from the home institution and the AAU mentor during the study period at AAU.
5. The scholarship covers only costs related to the visit of the student himself/herself. The program will not cover the costs related to accompanying spouses, children or others. Unfortunately, this fellowship cannot support accompanying family members and we strongly encourage fellows to not bring family members for the study visit as this will reduce the time available for focussing on the PhD work.

Eligibility

To apply for this fellowship program, applicants must be/have:

• a PhD student at a university in Africa.
• completed their first year of studies by July 2020 (upgrade/probation)
• similarly, a background (BSc, MSc, etc.) within Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Science, and Technology Policy, Geography, History or Development Studies. Applicants may also work within the STEM subjects or even manufacturing but from a social science perspective.
• also, possess adequate skills in English. Language tests that are accepted are listed on the AAU web-page
• working actively on a subject relevant to the field of innovation and development as defined above.
• likewise, submit a brief application 1 page/500 words explaining your own background, motivation for applying. Also, expected outcomes of participation in the AfricaLics PhD visiting fellowship program.

Application Process

• A brief outline of your current PhD project including training plan (max. 5 pages)
• Curriculum Vitae – CV (including PhD courses attended so far)
• Letter of support from the main PhD supervisor confirming that the PhD student will have completed her/his upgrade/probation by end August 2020
• Similarly, letter of support from the University Administration at the university where the PhD student is studying
• Also, copies of academic certificates (copies of Bachelor and Master Certificates as a minimum)
• Likewise, one writing sample (article or chapter) from the current PhD program

You Do Not require to submit a copy of your passport when applying for the PhD visiting fellowship program. However, after your selection, we will ask you to confirm that you have a passport that is valid for the duration of the scholarship and at least six months after.