AfricaLics 2020-2021 Visiting PhD Fellowship Program

Published: 10 Nov 2019 1,691 views

Applications are currently being accepted by the African Network for Economics of Learning, Innovation, and Competence Building Systems for its 2020-2021 Visiting PhD Fellowship Program which would be held at Aalborg University, Denmark. The aim of the visiting fellowship programme and the scholarships is to help African PhD students working in the field of Innovation and Development to strengthen their academic/research qualifications; improve quality of their dissertations and prepare for a career in innovation and development either within academia or outside (e.g. in the private sector or in government/policy making).

The visiting fellowship programme does this by increasing the international mobility and level of exposure of the PhD students to international knowledge in the field of innovation and development. The programme 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 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).

AfricaLics PhD Scholarship

Benefits of AfricaLics PhD Scholarship

1. Travel costs (economy class) 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 app. 2140 USD as per September 2020). This includes funds for accommodation. Tax exemption has to be applied for 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 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 him/herself. Costs related to accompanying spouses, children or others are not covered. Unfortunately, this fellowship cannot support accompanying family members and they strongly encourage fellows to not bring family members for the study visit as this will reduce time available for focusing on the PhD work.

Requirements for AfricaLics PhD Scholarship

1. Be enrolled as a PhD student at a university in Africa.
2. Have completed their first year of studies by July 2020 (upgrade/probation)
3. Have 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 (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) subjects or even manufacturing but from a social science perspective. .
4. Possess adequate skills in English (documentation may be requested. Language tests that are accepted are listed on the AAU web page)
5. Be working actively on a subject relevant to the field of innovation and development as defined above.
6. Submit a brief application 1 page/500 words explaining own background, motivation for applying and expected outcomes of participation in the AfricaLics PhD visiting fellowship programme

Application Deadline

How to Apply