The University of Peace (UPEACE) is currently inviting applications for 2012 UPEACE-IDRC PhD Fellowships Program, which is a joint program of Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and UPEACE. The main purpose of providing these fellowships is to develop an evidence-based, strong research capacity in Africa on critical issues of governance and security. Applications are sought from candidates who have freshly enrolled in a PhD Program (Academic Year 2010-2011) or who can offer proof of acceptance into a PhD Program at a University in Sub Saharan Africa for the 2011-2012 Academic Year.
Fellowship Provisions
A total of four PhD Fellowships will be awarded. 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.
Eligible Fields of Study
Applications will be considered from candidates, who are registered for PhD in Governance and Security Studies.
– Themes Under Governance Studies
- 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
– Themes under Security Studies
- 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 Criteria
Applicants must:
– Hold citizenship of an African country in Sub-Saharan Africa;
– Be enrolled/accepted in a PhD Program 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
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.
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.
Last date for submitting the applications is February 28, 2012
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