Africa Initiative Graduate Research Grant for Study in Canada

Africa Initiative Graduate Research Grant

Course(s) Offered: Thematic areas of interest
Course Level: Graduate (Master’s, PhD)
Provider: The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
Country to Study in: Canada

Scholarship Description
The Africa Initiative’s (AI) graduate research grant program supports short-term academic placements for Master’s and PhD students enrolled in select African universities* undertaking research on Africa on one or more of the program’s thematic areas—conflict resolution, energy, food security, health, and migration, with special attention to the cross-cutting issue of climate change.

The AI research grant is announced to 1). build capacity by giving bright, highly-motivated students an opportunity to discover and impart new learning in a cross-cultural experience; and 2). support research by scholars in Africa and Canada on critically important areas to the continent.

In order to be considered for the Africa Initiative Graduate Research Grant, each applicant is expected to identify professors, experts, or researchers they intend to work with at universities in Canada and are required to submit an official letter of support from the university where they wish to be based.

Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the grant, applicants must demonstrate the following:

• must be a Master’s or PhD student enrolled in an African university*
• must be in good academic standing (with at least an overall B, or equivalent, standing)
• proposed research must be original and timely and must align with AI’s thematic areas of conflict resolution, energy, food security, health, and migration, with special attention to the cross-cutting issue of climate change

Note: Eligibility is based on existing agreements between Canadian and African universities. Students from select African universities* are eligible to conduct research at corresponding Canadian universities**

Selection criteria:
Applicants are assessed based on the following criteria, as determined by the application materials submitted and subsequent interviews:

• applicability of proposed research to one or more of the AI thematic areas
• quality of research proposed based on the stated research objective, scope and expected outputs and results
• unique content of research proposed
• relevance to current policy issues and/or governance architecture
• methods and expected results are clearly defined and appropriate
• research plan makes effective use of the 4-month period
• level of academic achievement
• relevant involvement/skills in other research projects and previous track record of success
• demonstration of ability to write clearly
• recommendations from supervisors and other professional or academic sources

Eligible groups
Citizens of sub-Saharan Africa

Participating Institutions
Select African universities*:
University of Botswana, University of Cape Town, University of KwaZulu Natal, University of Ghana, University of Dar es Salaam, Universite Gaston Berger de Saint-Luis, Ecole de Gouvernance et d’Economie de Rabat, University of Nairobi, Cairo University, University of Benin, National University of Rwanda, University of Jos, Rhodes University, University of Pretoria, Mzuzu University, MISR International University, and Makerere University

AND
Select Universities in Canada**:
University of British Columbia, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of British Columbia, Queen’s University, York University, University of Calgary, Carleton University, Concordia University, Wilfrid Laurier University, Carleton University, Queen’s University, Carleton Univeristy, University of Ottawa, Queen’s University, University of Toronto, University of Windsor, York University, Bishops University, Concordia University, University of New Brunswick, University of Prince Edward Island, AND Wilfrid Laurier University

Fields of study
Any one or more of the AI program’s thematic areas: conflict resolution, energy, food security, health, and migration, with special attention to the cross-cutting issue of climate change

Number of awards
Up to 15 grants will be awarded every year

Sponsorship duration
The program supports short-term academic placements. Each student spends up to four months at select Canadian universities** conducting research funded by the AI graduate research grant program.

Scholarship benefits
The program currently offers grants of up to CAD$10,000 to up to fifteen students per year enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program at select African universities.*

Method of Application
Each applicant must submit the following materials in order to be considered for the grant; application packages missing any of the required documents will not be reviewed. Includes Completed application form, Proposal, Letter of support, CV, University transcript, Letters of recommendation, Passport scan, and Writing sample.

Applications must be submitted by the application deadline via email to aiexchange@cigionline.org. Application materials must be submitted in a single email (with the exception of references) with each attachment clearly titled. The Africa Initiative will acknowledge receipt of all applications within 48 hours of receipt.

Each application is reviewed and assessed based on established criteria. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed and final candidates are selected based on the overall application and interview assessment. Each applicant will be contacted with regards to the status of their application prior to the public announcement of grant recipients.

DEADLINES:
The application deadline is May 31, 2011

PLEASE NOTE:
Makerere University Kampala (MUK) is Uganda's largest and third-oldest institution of higher learning, first established as a technical school in 1922. In 1963, it became the University of East Africa, offering courses leading to general degrees from the University of London. It became an independent national university in 1970 when the University of East Africa was split into three independent universities: University of Nairobi (Kenya), University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), and Makerere University.

Application Deadline: 31 May 2011
Open to International Students: No(ONLY Africans)

Further Scholarship Information and Application(pdf)
Further Scholarship Information and Application(University homepage)

Related: Scholarships in Canada for International Students