Southern African Young Scientists Summer Program for African and non-African Researchers

Southern African Young Scientists Summer Program

Course(s) Offered: Sciences
Course Level: Graduate (doctoral, research, training)
Provider: IIASA, and S/African partners
Country to Study in: South Africa

Scholarship Description
Applications are now open for the 2014-15 Southern African Young Scientists Summer Program (SA-YSSP). [Also see the related IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program.]

Now in its third year and organized by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and South African partners, this three month research training program will bring together talented young researchers to work with scientists from South Africa and IIASA.

The program will take place from 2 November 2014 – 31 January 2015 at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Participants will work on a collaborative research project jointly advised by IIASA and South African senior researchers.

Eligibility
All PhD students from South Africa, sub-Saharan African countries, and other IIASA member countries are eligible to apply.

To be eligible for the SA-YSSP, applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Current registration for a doctoral program.
• Ability to work independently and to interact with other scientists.
• Fluency in English and ability to communicate in a scientific environment.
• Willingness to participate in a range of interdisciplinary scientific activities.
• Commitment to completing the SA-YSSP research by submitting a resultant manuscript to an international scientific journal.

Conditions of participation:

• Participants are expected to be resident at the University of the Free State for the SA-YSSP’s entire 3-month period and to engage in the necessary preparations and follow-up activities.
• With approval by the SA-YSSP supervisors, participants are allowed to take up to five days of leave for personal or professional reasons, potentially including the December holiday break.
• Participants commit to the timely submission of their SA-YSSP research reports and to working towards submitting a resultant manuscript to an international scientific journal after the SA-YSSP.

Eligible groups
Citizens of ALL countries as follows:

• Applicants from South Africa (i.e. participants registered at a public South African institution, irrespective of their nationality),
• Applicants from Southern African Development Community (i.e. participants registered at an institution in a SADC country other than South Africa, irrespective of their nationality) and
• Applicants from other IIASA member countries (i.e. participants registered at an institution in an IIASA member country other than South Africa, irrespective of their nationality, as well as to participants being a national of an IIASA member country other than South Africa, irrespective of the country of their registration)

Participating Institutions
University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Fields of study
Research Themes include:

• Risk, Policy and Governance
• Energy and Climate Systems
• Ecosystems and Water
• Population, Health and Aging

Number of awards
Not specified by sponsor

Sponsorship duration
This is a three month research training program - lasting between 2 November 2014 until 31 January 2015

Scholarship benefits
The SA-YSSP provides a unique opportunity for academic and personal growth, bringing participants in contact with an international group of young scientists and faculty in a collaborative environment.

Participants receive accommodation and meals for the duration of the SA-YSSP programme, inclusive of an honorarium to cover other living costs. Participants from South Africa and from countries of the Southern African Development Community additionally receive coverage for their travel expenses.

Participants will also benefit from the following opportunities:

• Collaborate with IIASA and South African scientists on a project relevant to the participant’s research
• Contribute to collaborative research by senior advisors
• Broaden their research into interdisciplinary and trans-boundary research relevant to national, regional, and global needs
• Publish their research in collaboration with IIASA and South African scientists
• Gain exposure to international research through interaction with national and international experts taking part in program supervision and the seminar series
• Build international, interdisciplinary collaborations with program advisors and other program participants

Method of Application
If you qualify (see eligibility above) and are interested, then it is important to visit the official website via the link provided below for complete details on how to apply for this program.

DEADLINES:
The call for applications for the second SA-YSSP will extend from 1 July - 3 August 2014.

PLEASE NOTE:
The SA-YSSP is organized jointly by the South African National Research Foundation, the South African Department of Science and Technology, the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa, and IIASA.

The program was inspired by the success of IIASA’s YSSP, which since 1977 has enabled more than 1,720 young scientists to work together with IIASA researchers on problems of global significance.

Application Deadline: 3 August 2014
Open to International Applicants: Yes

More Scholarship Information and Application

Related: Scholarships in South Africa for Students