University of Michigan African Presidential Scholarships for Africans (UMAPS Program for Residencies in USA)

African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS)

Course(s) Offered: Diverse disciplines
Course Level: Graduate (degree, research, course, proposal, etc)
Provider: United States Government
Country to Study in: USA

Scholarship Description
The University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS) brings early career faculty members from African universities to Ann Arbor (i.e. the University of Michigan) for residencies lasting up to six months.

Scholars are paired with a faculty mentor during their stay and have full access to University of Michigan's (U-M) resources to further their work on a research project, an academic degree, a new course, a grant proposal, or other relevant activity.

The UMAPS program supports the development of the next generation of African scholars by integrating them into international academic networks, and also it internationalizes U-M by generating research and teaching collaborations across diverse disciplines, from engineering to African literature.

Eligibility
Eligibility Requirement:
*Previous recipients of the UMAPS fellowship are not eligible to apply.

All applicants must:

• Be an early career faculty member who has taught in the higher education system for less than ten years, presently teaching in a college or university in Africa
• Be able to demonstrate support from home institution with letter of recommendation from head of department, dean, or vice chancellor
• Be able to remain in residence from four to six months

Priority will be given to candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds. Promotion of gender equity in the current class of scholars and in the African academy will also be prioritized. Applicants who already have significant international experience will not be favored. See full Selection Criteria and Award Details.

Eligible groups
Citizens of ALL African countries

Participating Institutions
The African Studies Center, International Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; United States

Fields of study
Applications are welcomed from a wide range of disciplines and/or schools. The program especially encourages applications that align with the following initiatives:

1. African Heritage Initiative (AHI) supports research related to the arts, humanities, and interpretive social sciences, which highlights the dynamic, contested process by which African cultures and histories are made;
2. African Social Research Initiative (ASRI) promotes social science research on democratic governance and distributive politics; income dynamics and poverty; and gender, health, and development;
3. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Initiative (STEM-Africa) seeks to nurture the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in Africa, which extends scientific knowledge and yields solutions to global problems.

Sponsorship duration
Scholars usually begin their residency in late August, lasting up to six months - scholars may apply or be nominated for a two-month, four-month, or six-month residency

Scholarship benefits
Those admitted to the UMAPS Program will receive:

• Four to six months residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, paired with a faculty mentor with full access to the university’s resources
• Round-trip airfare from their home country to Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Free housing, and a modest stipend to cover living, health care, and research costs while at U-M. Important note: The UMAPS program is unable to accommodate spouses and/or dependents
• Office/Laboratory space
• Opportunity to present research to the U-M community

The scholarship may be combined with other scholarships or funds to support an extended stay. It is expected that the scholar’s home institution will continue to pay the scholar’s academic salary during the duration of the fellowship.

Method of Application
UMAPS accepts direct applications from faculty members of colleges or universities in Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, South Africa, and Uganda. Faculty members of colleges and universities in all other African countries cannot apply directly to the UMAPS program without first being nominated and invited to apply by a U-M faculty member with whom s/he already has a pre-existing relationship. Applicants outside of Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, South Africa, or Uganda must be nominated by a University of Michigan faculty member.

It is important to visit the official website (link to it is below) for complete details on how to apply for this scholarship.

DEADLINES:
Application period for academic year 2018-2019 is from August 15 - October 15, 2017

PLEASE NOTE:
The University of Michigan (UM, U-M, UMich, or U of M), frequently referred to simply as Michigan, is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Originally, founded in 1817 in Detroit as the Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania, 20 years before the Michigan Territory officially became a state, the University of Michigan is the state's oldest university. The university moved to Ann Arbor in 1837, which location is now known as Central Campus. Since its establishment in Ann Arbor, the university campus has expanded, and now has two satellite campuses located in Flint and Dearborn. It was one of the founding members of the Association of American Universities.

Application Deadline: 15 October 2017
Open to International Applicants: No (ONLY Africans)

More Scholarship Information and Application

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