2012 UPEACE-IDRC PHD FELLOWSHIPS

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

2012 UPEACE-IDRC PHD FELLOWSHIPS

BASELINE INFORMATION :

Application Period: 7 November 2011 to 31 March 2012

Location: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.

The Africa Programme of the University for Peace (UPEACE) has secured funding from The Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to offer a limited number of scholarships to African students registered in PhD Programmes focused on Governance and Security Studies. The scholarship will cover tuition, living expenses, communications, access to scholarly materials, and dissemination of research findings through publications and conference presentations. In addition, part of the award will be used to cover expenses related to a semester abroad at a Canadian university. The maximum award is US $15,000 per eligible candidate per year.

The programme is seeking applications from candidates who have freshly enrolled in a PhD Programme (Academic Year 2010-2011) or who can offer proof of acceptance into a PhD Programme at a University in Sub Saharan Africa for the 2011-2012 Academic Year. A total of four (4) PhD Fellowships will be awarded.

A total of four (4) PhD Fellowships will be awarded.

Expected Outcomes:

The PhD Fellowships are part of a joint undertaking by IDRC and UPEACE to develop an evidence-based, strong research capacity in Africa on critical issues of governance and security. The fellowships will support young African researchers who are embarking on their PhD studies with the aim to produce a significant number of African researchers with high expertise in issues of governance and security.

Successful applicants will be required to participate in two Research Training Workshops organized by UPEACE Africa Programme during the Award period. In addition, fellows will also be required to contribute at least one article to the Africa Peace and Conflict Journal (APCJ), a peer reviewed journal published by UPEACE Africa Programme, by the third year of their grant

ELIGIBLE FIELDS OF STUDY :

Applications will be considered from candidates, who are registered for PhD in Governance and Security Studies.

Under Governance, applications will be considered in the following themes:

Democracy, political participation and political settlements;

Elections, electoral reform, electoral processes and their contribution to democracy;

Devolution and decentralization of power and implication for legitimacy and accountability;

Informal governance institutions and their contribution to sustainable reforms and political arrangements;

Citizen engagement and enhanced state responsiveness and accountability;

The role of women in political process;

Human rights

Under Security, applications will be considered in the following themes:

Citizen protection and the responsibility to protect;

Impact of pluralism of security forces and state legitimacy and accountability;

Non-state armed groups and the link to state authority;

Role of civil society in oversight of the security apparatus;

Cross border insecurity and the role of the state, the regional organisations and non-state actors;

The role of state and non-state actors in promoting the security of women and girls in situations of gender based violence.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must:

Hold citizenship of an African country in Sub-Saharan Africa;

Be enrolled/accepted in a PhD Programme in the field of Governance and Security Studies in Universities in Sub Saharan Africa;

Be a full time PhD student;

Submit a letter of support from the Lead Supervisor

Undertake the research within Sub-Saharan Africa.

Have a Masters Degree in related discipline

IV. SELECTION CRITERIA:

The Fellowship will support original research that addresses clear research question(s), employs appropriate and rigorous design and has a clear national and/or regional policy implication(s);

Candidates must demonstrate interest in pursuing a teaching/research career;

The research topic should have strong endorsement and support from the candidate’s department of attachment;

Female applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

V. EVALUATION CRITERIA:

The applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Relevance to the study of Governance and Security Issues in Africa

Candidate’s scientific background and potential to develop a strong teaching/research career;

Scientific merit of the PhD Proposal including originality of research question(s); clarity and adequacy of the study design; demonstrated knowledge of relevant/current literature; etc..

Conducive research environment including commitment of lead supervisor and department to facilitate timely completion of studies;

VI. DURATION

The duration of the Fellowship is for three years from the time of notification of selection. Successful applicants will receive the first installment of the award within sixty (60) days after the announcement of the winners. Future installments will be provided upon satisfactory progress and submission of narrative and financial reports.

VII. HOW TO APPLY:

Applicants are required to submit the following documents: -

Completed Check List (signed and dated)

Cover Letter

Application Form

A personal Statement

Curriculum Vitae

Certified Transcripts

Proof of Citizenship

Evidence of enrolment

Two reference Letters (one of which must come from a faculty member with extensive knowledge of applicant’s academic history and performance)

Approved Research Proposal

Budget in USD

The Application form is available on www.africa.upeace.org or here

All required documents listed above should be sent both electronically and in hard copies. Hard copies should be sent through the Post Office to UPEACE before the deadline (see address below under IX).

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

VIII. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION

31th March 2012

Complete applications must be received at the Office of the Africa Programme by the deadline. No application will be received after the deadline.

Only SHORT-LISTED applicants will be contacted.

Short listed applicants will be notified by 15th May 2012.

Applicants, who have not been contacted on the notification day, should note that their application was not successful.

IX. ADDRESS

Applications must be sent to:

The Director

UPEACE Africa Programme

P.O.Box 2794 code 1250

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Telephone: +251 11 6180991/92

Fax: +251 11 6180993

E-mail: africaprogramme@upeace.org and tabebe@upeace.org

For further information, please visit UPEACE Africa Programme Website at www.africa.upeace.org

SOURCE: CLICK HERE

MAKULILO SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

CALIFORNIA, USA