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CODESRIA’s Call for Applications: African Futures and the Futures of Childhood in Africa

Deadline: 15 July 2016

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is currently accepting applications for its 2016 Child and Youth Institute that will be held for two (2) weeks, from 17 to 28 October 2016 to strengthen the analytic capacities of young African researchers on issues affecting children and youth in Africa and elsewhere in the world. The institute is designed as an annual interdisciplinary forum in which participants can reflect together on a specific aspect of the conditions of children and youth, especially in Africa.

The 2016 child and youth institute focuses on how African children place themselves with respect to aspirations, rights, entitlements, and imaginations in Africa’s futures.

Theme

The theme of 2016 child and youth institute is “African futures and the futures of childhood in Africa”

Objectives

  • encourage the sharing of experiences among researchers, civil society activists and policy makers from different disciplines, methodological and conceptual orientations and geographical/linguistic areas
  • promote and enhance a culture of democratic values that allows to effectively identify issues facing children and youth on the African continent
  • foster the participation of scholars and researchers in discussions and debates on the processes of child and youth development in Africa

Eligibility Criteria

  • Resource Persons: Lectures to be delivered during the session are intended to offer laureates an opportunity to advance their reflections on the theme of the Institute. Resource persons should therefore be senior scholars or researchers who have published extensively on the theme, and who have significant contributions to make to the debates on it. They will be expected to produce lecture materials which would stimulate laureates to engage in discussion and debate around their respective lectures and the general body of literature available on the theme. Once selected, resource persons must:
    • Interact with the Director of the Institute and the laureates to help the latter readjust their research questions and their methodological approaches
    • Submit a copy of their course materials for reproduction and distribution to participants no later than one week before they deliver their lectures
    • Deliver their lectures, participate in debates and comment on the research proposals and the papers of the laureates
    • Review and submit the revised version of their lecture notes or research papers for publication by CODESRIA not later than two months following their presentation at the Institute.
  • Laureates: Applicants should be PhD candidates or scholars in their early career with a proven capacity to conduct research on the theme of the Institute. Intellectuals active in the policy process and/or social movements and civil society organizations are also encouraged to apply. The number of places offered by CODESRIA at each session is limited to ten (10). Non-African scholars who are able to raise funds for their participation may also apply for a limited number of places.

How to Apply

Applicants must download the application form via given website.

For more information, please visit Child and Youth Institute.

CODESRIA/CASB Summer School in African Studies and Area Studies in Africa

Deadline: 31 May 2016

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) and The Centre for African Studies Basel (CASB) call for applications for the 2nd CODESRIA/CASB Summer School in African Studies and Area Studies in Africa.

The Summer School sets out to stimulate and consolidate interdisciplinary approaches in research on Africa, but also in other regions of the world undertaken from within the African continent. It focuses on African Studies as an instance of area studies and seeks to identify themes that are theoretically, conceptually and methodologically relevant to the reflection on the intellectual challenge of Africa as an object of knowledge and its contribution to general scholarship while inquiring into the relevance of the findings to African approaches to other regions.

The forthcoming CODESRIA/CASB Summer School in African Studies and Area Studies in Africa will address the prevalent demand – implicit or explicit – that knowledge produced in Africa (as in other regions in the so-called developing world) should be practically based, solution-oriented, relevant for development. It will focus on conceptual challenges this may entail.

Objectives

The goals of the Summer School can be broadly defined in the following manner:

  • The Summer School allows PhD and MA students, under the guidance of senior scholars, to engage critically with new theoretical, conceptual and methodological developments in African Studies and Area Studies in Africa in general and make them relevant to their work;
  • The Summer School stimulates PhD students to reflect on the potential relevance of knowledge on Africa to the task of improving our theoretical, conceptual and methodological tools both for the disciplines as well as for interdisciplinary work;
  • The Summer School fosters among PhD students a sense of belonging to a community of scholars in pursuit of knowledge and scholarship;
  • The Summer School encourages junior scholars to work towards carving a space for African Studies or Area Studies in Africa in general in the broader field of scholarship and in this way helping to place Africa right at the centre of knowledge production.
  • The Summer School serves to identify young scholars who wish to develop or finalise a PhD-project in the field of African Studies and Area Studies in general and to further support them in their pursuit of their career goals.

Programme Structure

The main elements of the learning event are five one-day workshops that will address these challenges along the following lines:

  • Research design: Conceptual problems vs. practical problems
    • This unit introduces participants to fundamental epistemological issues around the production of knowledge by making a distinction between basic research (conceptual problems) and applied research (practical problems).
  • Analytical design: Formulating problems
    • This unit elaborates on the nature of basic research by exploring the ways in which it can be understood as research which helps to formulate problems for which there may already be solutions or, at any rate, which require solutions to be worked out.
  • Practical design: Formulating solutions
    • This unit is the counterpart to the previous one (formulating problems) and focuses on the process of identifying problems for which solutions can be worked out.
  • Policy design: How solutions work in the real world
    • The focus of this unit is on the political, economic and social conditions which must be met for a solution to be effective.
  • Evaluation design: Checking the relevance of research
    • This unit introduces participants to the important task of drawing up criteria to ascertain the extent to which the implementation of research results can be used to improve research design.

Eligibility Criteria

  • The summer school is open for PhD students enrolled at an Institute of Higher Education in any country.
  • The application of PhD students enrolled in African and Swiss institutions is encouraged.

How to Apply

Participants will be selected on the strength and merits of:

  • One duly completed application form;
  • A cover letter;
  • A five-page application in which they explain:
    • what they are working on, and
    • how their work relates to the topic of the Summer School;

In addition, applications must be supported by a CV and two letters of recommendation.

All application documents must be submitted via email.

For more information, please visit CODESRIA.

European and African Union Commissions Call: Supporting Research on Water-Energy-Food Nexus

Deadline: 29 April 2016

The European and African Union Commissions together with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) are currently inviting applications from policy officers and scientists for its evidence and policy event to support research in the field of the Water-Energy-Food nexus.

Goals

  • Enhance participants skills in integrating evidence into policy-making.
  • Create a community of practice that will continue to collaborate afterwards.
  • Stimulate the participants to share their new skills and learning with their colleagues.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have:

  • Citizenship of an African state or EU Member State.
  • At least 2 years of work experience in the water – energy – food nexus.
  • Commitment to participate in the event for the whole duration of the seminar.
  • Strong motivation to use and provide evidence for policy.
  • Proficiency in English.
  • For scientists: Participation in collaborative research projects funded by FP7, Horizon 2020, the AU Research Grants, Kwame Nkrumah Scientific awards, the ACP S&T Programme and the ERAfrica initiative will be considered an asset.

Participation

The program is looking for:

  • 25 policy-makers (junior to middle level) from EU Institutions and Member States
  • 25 policy-makers (junior to middle level) from African Institutions and African States
  • 25 EU scientists
  • 25 African scientists

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the application form via given website and also submit CV and a short motivation letter.

For more information, please visit Evidence and Policy Event.

Applications Open for African Climate Change and Environmental Reporting Awards!

 Deadline: 26 April 2016

Applications are open for the African Climate Change and Environmental Reporting (ACCER) Awards in order to raise the profile of Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Africa by recognizing the important role with professional media practitioners and citizen journalists play in the environmental discourse.

Objectives

  • To propagate the African narrative on Climate Change in environmental discourse.
  • To motivate journalists and media houses in Africa to effectively report on Climate Change and environmental issues.
  • To illuminate innovative best practice approaches both in policy and in practice towards Climate Change response and strategies.
  • To enhance proactive media participation in African climate change discourse.
  • To promote and create awareness about the opportunities existing in green investment in both public and the private sectors.

Award Categories

  • Environmental Journalist of the Year
  • Emerging Young Environmental Journalist
  • News Print Feature of Year
  • Environmental Photograph of the Year
  • Audio Report of the Year Award
  • Documentary of the Year Award
  • Citizen Journalist of the Year Award
  • The ACCER Blogger of the Year Award

Eligibility Criteria

  • Professional journalists, broadcasts and documentary filmmakers who are citizens or permanent residents of one of the countries of Africa.
  • Citizen journalists, with work published on a blog (one year or older). They must be citizens or permanent residents of an African Country.
  • While some categories are open to English and French Speaking – Writing journalists (as these are two of the chosen languages of the UN), journalists should have working knowledge of English because of the TAAFA Academy.

How to Apply

Applicants must fill the application form via given website.

For more information, please visit ACCER Awards.

Apply for 2017 Mandela Rhodes Scholarship: Providing Exceptional Educational Opportunities!

Deadline: 2 May 2016

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation is currently accepting applications from young Africans for its 2017 Mandela Rhodes Scholarship, whose aim is to provide exceptional educational opportunities, develop a network of leaders, and thereby help to build leadership capacity in Africa.

Benefits

  • Tuition and registration fees as set by the institution.
  • A study materials allowance as set by the MRF.
  • Accommodation and meal allowances as set by the MRF.
  • A medical aid allowance as set by the MRF.
  • Economy-class travel allowance for international Scholars only from the Scholar’s home to their institution at the beginning and back home at the end of their degree programme.
  • Personal allowance.

Eligibility Criteria

  • The Scholarship is open to citizens of all African countries.
  • The Scholarship is for postgraduate study at South African universities or tertiary institutions.
  • Full funding is for Honours (maximum one year) or Masters (up to a maximum of two years) or their equivalents (MBA’s excluded).
  • Any individual who will be between the ages of 19 and 30 years at the time of taking up the Scholarship may apply.
  • Applicants must posess a first degree or its equivalent or must be in the process of completing one by 31 January 2017.
  • Applicants should have a history of well above average academic results.
  • Individuals that reflect in their character a commitment to the four principles of Education, Reconciliation, Leadership and Entrepreneurship.
  • The MRF leadership development activities sometimes include weekends. It is a condition of the Scholarship that attendance is compulsory.

How to Apply

Applicants must apply online via given website.

For more information, please visit Mandela Rhodes Scholarship.

MINDS: Call for Applications for African Researchers

Deadline: 15 April 2016

The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) is accepting applications from distinguished African researchers to conduct research on the subject of institutional development in Africa examining one of these three (3) aspects:

  • Nation building in Africa: This paper will examine case studies of post-independence-era attempts at nation building in Africa, interrogating the ideals, objectives and methodologies by which the objectives were pursued.
  • The challenges of institutional reform in Africa: This paper will analyze case studies of institutional reform efforts in Africa and extract lessons from the successes and failures of these reforms.
  • The efficacy of presidential term limits: This paper will interrogate the efficacy of presidential term limits in African countries. The paper will compare the advantages and disadvantages of presidential term limits by analyzing the impact thereof in developing countries.

Budget & Duration

  • The budget estimate must not exceed four thousand five hundred US dollars ($4 500).
  • The researcher is expected to be contracted for at least three (3) months.

Eligibility Criteria

Researchers must:

  • Have at least a Master’s degree in relevant fields of study.
  • Have published work in academic journals.
  • Be able to write and present, fluently, in English. The ability to collect data, write and present in other African languages especially French and/ or Arabic will be an advantage.
  • Have a demonstrated research interest in governance in Africa, African youth or African economies.
  • Have an extensive, accessible research network in at least two of the five regions of the African continent.
  • Have a demonstrated track record of applying both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
  • Be available to commence work immediately.
  • Have the flexibility to travel, should that be necessary.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to send the following set of documents via email:

  • The applicant’s detailed CV
  • One reference letter
  • A research proposal
  • A preliminary timeline AND budget estimate

For more information, please visit African Researcher.

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Swedish Institute’s Creative Force Programme: Supporting Collaborative Projects in the Target Countries

Deadline: 17 May 2016

The Swedish Institute is currently seeking applications from the eligible organisations for its Creative Force Programme with the overall objective to strengthen democratic structures and freedom of expression in the target countries. These aims shall be achieved through mutual learning processes and sustainable networks between institutions and agents of change who work with either culture or the media to bring about change.

Funding Information

Applicants can apply for the Seed funding for the maximum amount of SEK 100,000.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants may be Swedish civil society organisations, foundations, public sector agencies, private sector agencies or other professional actors.

Geographical Focus

  • AFRICA: Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia
  • MENA: Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen
  • Eastern Europe: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldava, Turkey and Ukraine
  • Russia

Note: The countries of South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan) are no longer included in the programme.

How to Apply

Applications with the mandatory attachments must be submitted via web form that will be open during the application period.

For more information, please visit Creative Force Programme.

EU-Africa Joint Call for Proposals on Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme

Deadline: 15 June 2016

The European Commission is currently inviting proposals for its Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme to promote sustainable development and ultimately contribute to poverty reduction by increasing the availability of trained and qualified high-level professional manpower in Africa.

The programme’s specific objective is to improve the skills and competences of students and staff through enhanced intra-African mobility.

Objectives

The programme aims to-

  • contribute to the improvement of the quality of higher education through the promotion of internationalisation and harmonisation of programmes and curricula within participating institutions;
  • enable students, academics and staff to benefit linguistically, culturally and professionally from the experience gained in the context of mobility to another African country.

Funding Information

  • The overall indicative amount made available under this Call for proposals is estimated at EUR 9 900 000 and should allow around 350 mobility flows.
  • Each grant will amount to between EUR 1 000 000 (minimum grant size) and EUR 1 500 000 (maximum grant size).

Eligibility Criteria

  • The present Call is open to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Individuals will benefit from the mobility activities planned by these HEIs.
  • The partnership will be composed of the applicant/coordinating HEI, the partner HEIs, the
  • EU technical partner and the associated partners where relevant.
  • Eligible countries
    • Central: Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and São Tomé and Principe
    • Eastern: Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania
    • Northern: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco
    • Southern: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe
    • Western: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through an online process.

For more information, please visit EU-Africa.

Apply to Participate in CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2016!

Deadline: 24 March 2016

Applications are open for the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Competition 2016. The objective is to reinforce the importance of the role of journalists in Africa’s development and to reward, recognise and encourage journalistic talent across all media disciplines.

Benefits

Each finalist will receive a cash prize, with each category winner also receiving a laptop computer and printer.

Eligibility Criteria

  • The Competition is open to African professional journalists, whether directly employed or freelancers, working in the continent of Africa.
  • All entrants must be an African National and be at least eighteen years of age.
  • To continue the development of journalism on the continent, journalists that have been winners in this competition on three or more occasions will be ineligible to enter.
  • Employees and their immediate families of Turner Broadcasting System Europe Ltd., (TBSEL), and their respective parent companies, group companies, subsidiary companies and agencies are not eligible to participate in the competition.
  • Each entry must have been first published or broadcast in African media in 2015. Proof of publication must be submitted with the entry. Images that are available for download on agency websites and have not appeared in African media will not be eligible.
  • The Competition is held in English, French and Portuguese languages.
  • Entries in other languages are accepted however must be accompanied by full English translation; subtitles or transcript.
  • Applicants are strictly limited to a maximum of two entries across all categories of the Competition.

How to Apply

Applicants can apply online via given website.

For more information, please visit African Journalist Awards.

Apply to Participate in CODESRIA Gender Symposium!

Deadline: 25 March 2016

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) announces the organization of the CODESRIA Gender symposium on 9 – 10 May in Cairo, Egypt. This year, the topic of the annual forum will be “Women’s Struggles Today”.

CODESRIA is headquartered in Dakar, Senegal and was established in 1973 as an independent pan-African research organisation primarily focusing on social sciences research in Africa. It is recognised not only as the pioneer African social research organisation but also as the apex non-governmental centre of social knowledge production on the continent.

Objectives

  • Promote and facilitate research and knowledge production in Africa using a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach. The Council is committed to combating the fragmentation of knowledge production, and the African community of scholars along various disciplinary and linguistic/geographical lines;
  • Promote and defend the principle of independent thought and the academic freedom of researchers in the production and dissemination of knowledge;
  • Encourage and support the development of African comparative research with a continental perspective and a sensitivity to the specificity of the development process in Africa;
  • Promote the publication and dissemination of research results undertaken by African scholars;
  • Strengthen the institutional basis of knowledge production in Africa by proactively engaging and supporting other research institutions and their networks of scholars within its programmes of activities. As part of this goal, the Council also actively encourages cooperation and collaboration among African universities, research organisations and other training institutions;
  • Encourage inter-generational and gender-sensitive dialogues in the African academy as a further investment of effort in the promotion of awareness and capacity for the use of different prospective for knowledge production;
  • Promote contacts and dialogue between African researchers and researchers on Africa elsewhere in the world, as well as interaction between the Council and similar international organisations.

Benefits

The Symposium will provide an opportunity for African scholars to present their research on the selected theme and also to exchange views with their peers and contribute in the development of an African perspective.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can send their applications at the address given on the website.

For more information, please visit CODESRIA Symposium on Gender.