African Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowships (ADDRF) for Africans

African Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowships (ADDRF)

Course(s) Offered: Health (policy, systems, etc)
Course level: Graduate (phd, fellowships)
Provider: APHRC, IDRC
Country to Study in: Africa

Scholarship Description
The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), in partnership with IDRC, is pleased to announce the sixth call for applications for the African Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowships (ADDRF).

The ADDRF Fellowship Program seeks to facilitate more rigorous engagement of doctoral students in research, strengthen their research skills, and provide them an opportunity for timely completion of their doctoral training.

Eligibility
The fellowship will primarily support research (including data collection and/or analysis). Funds will not be used to support coursework. Applicants must:

• Be citizens or permanent residents of a sub-Saharan African country
• Be undertaking doctoral training at a recognized African university
• Have completed all pre-dissertation requirements
• Provide a detailed time-frame for completing their dissertation which should be endorsed by the head of department or the chair of the dissertation committee,
• Have a research topic that has been approved by their doctoral dissertation committee, as well as the o cial body overseeing ethical review of the research protocol, and
• Be able to complete their dissertation within 24 months of the start of the fellowship.

Eligible groups
Targeted at African nationals. The Program targets doctoral students with strong commitment to a career in training and/or research. The overall goal of the ADDRF Program is to support the training and retention of highly-skilled, locally-trained scholars in research and academic positions across the African region.

Participating Institutions
Any sub-Saharan Africa university

Fields of study
Eligible fields of study include:

• Health Sector Analysis
• Health Management and Organization
• Health Care Financing (including health insurance)
• Quality of Care
• Human Resources for Health
• Health Program Evaluation
• Health Equity
• Cost-e ffectiveness of Health Care Programs
• Community Participation in Health Care or Health Issues
• Research to Practice and Health Policy
• Health Information, Education and Communication
• Pharmaceutical Policy
• Economic Policy and Health
• Health Information Systems
• Health Services Utilization and Accessibility
• Health Inequities in Urban Areas
• Reproductive Health of Marginalized Urban Communities

Note that lab-based studies whose immediate relevance to health systems strengthening is not evident will not be considered.

Number of awards
The ADDRF will award about 20 fellowships in 2013 to doctoral students who are within two years of completing their thesis at an African university. In this phase of funding and in consideration of IDRC's health programming priorities, candidates whose dissertation topics address health policy or health systems issues will be given special consideration.

The Program has also reserved three fellowships for doctoral students conducting research on health inequities in urban areas or the reproductive health of marginalized urban communities. These three fellowships are funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Scholarship benefits
Each award will be up to a maximum of US$15,000. Specific items may include field research, a monthly stipend for up to 12 months, and other research materials (e.g., laptop computer, specialized software or books, etc).

Applicants may also include the cost of one local or regional conference where the results of the dissertation may be disseminated. Successful candidates will attend at least one week-long training workshop (Attending the workshop(s) is mandatory).

Method of Application
Applications must include the following documents to be considered (Applications not meeting these requirements will not be reviewed):

1. A completed application form (can be downloaded from the official website - link below). This form must be submitted electronically in MS Word format.
2. Proof of citizenship or permanent residence in a sub-Saharan African country (e.g. copy of passport or other national identi cation);
3. Two letters of reference (at least one must come from a faculty member with extensive knowledge of applicant’s academic history and performance and must document how the candidate’s dissertation research ts into ongoing research programs in the department). Referees’ contact information must be provided in the application form.
4. Evidence that the research protocol has undergone review and received approval from an approved ethical review board and the dissertation committee or is under review for the same.

To apply for a fellowship, please consult the most current Call for Application AND Application Form on the official website (link found below).

DEADLINES:
All application materials (applications in French will also be considered) must be received by January 15, 2013 in order to be reviewed.

PLEASE NOTE:
The application form and supporting documents must be submitted online

Application Deadline: 15 January 2013
Open to international students: Yes (ONLY Africans)

More Scholarship Information and Application

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