NELGA/DAAD 2024 Research Fellowship in Climate Change and Land Governance

Published: 09 Sep 2024

The Network of Excellence for Land Governance in Africa (NELGA), in partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), is pleased to announce the 2024 Research Fellowship. This initiative offers a unique opportunity for scholars and professionals within NELGA partner institutions to engage in research that addresses the critical intersection of climate change and land governance.

The 2024 fellowship focuses on empowering African researchers to explore key areas such as African food systems, pastoralism, digitalization, and gender dynamics in land rights and aims to strengthen the academic and practical linkages essential for effective land policy reforms across Africa.

NELGA/DAAD Research Fellowship

Benefits of NELGA/DAAD Research Fellowship

The fellowship consists of:

• A flat-rate travel allowance: EUR 280 for in-country, EUR 430 for neighbouring countries, EUR 630 for in-region, EUR 980 for out of region;
• A monthly research allowance of EUR 460.

Requirements for NELGA/DAAD Research Fellowship

The organizers invite staff members or students of NELGA partner institutions with a background in land governance or a related field to apply for funding for NELGA research fellowships. Applicants must

• Have completed at least a first university degree (undergraduate) at a state or state-recognized institution of higher education;
• Be enrolled or a staff member at one of the NELGA partner universities or associated institutions;
• Return to their studies/duty station at the end of the fellowship;
• Be nationals of an African country; 
• Be granted leave of absence by their home institution for conducting a field study

Eligible Fields

Applicants must have a background in land governance/ land management or a related field (e.g. land administration, land economics, urban and regional planning, geomatics). Proposals covering the following cross-cutting issues will be given special consideration in the field of Climate Change and Land Governance:

• African Food Systems and Land Governance
• Pastoralism, Livestock and Land Rights in Africa
• Digitalization and Land Rights in Africa
• Gender and Land Rights in Africa

Selection Process

Selection Criteria

The most important selection criteria are:

• A convincing and well-planned research project;
• Academic achievements.

Any additional documents supporting the academic relevance of the research proposal or providing information about pertinent extracurricular activities of the applicant will also be considered in the assessment.

Application Documents

Documents to be submitted

• DAAD application form, duly filled (available in the DAAD-Portal);
• Curriculum Vitae, including list of publications (if applicable);
• Detailed description of the research proposal and a description of previous research work (max. 10 pages);
• Weekly schedule of planned research work;
• Letter confirming supervision by an academic adviser at the host institute, which refers to the applicant’s proposal and confirms that the host institute will provide a workplace (not applicable for studies in the field);
• Copies of university diplomas/certificates and transcripts of record of all annual academic examinations (incl. explanation of grading system);
• A recent reference from a university teacher which provides information about the applicant’s qualifications.

Application Deadline

How to Apply