Application deadline is: 30th September, 2012
Call for applications are invited from South Africa and Namibia for SPACES Scholarships for Doctoral Studies in Germany. The general objective of the SPACES Programme (Science Partnerships for the Assessment of Complex Earth System Processes) is to develop partnership projects in research and development in the Southern African Region which will contribute to the formulation of science-based recommendations for Earth System Management for the sustainable use of goods and services provided by the system.
SPACES builds on previous work done by German scientists in the Southern African Region and will strive to consolidate the generated research competence in Earth System Research while broadening the scope of the current cooperative activities thematically and geographically by bringing in innovative research themes involving additional new partners from the region.
Envisaged in the programme is cooperation with partners from research institutions and universities in the South African Region and Germany. Capacity Building is an essential component of the SPACES Programme. For this reason, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) are financing a special scholarship programme conducted by DAAD. In 2011, altogether 13 graduates from Namibia and South Africa started their studies in Germany within the framework of this programme. By now, DAAD offers young scientists from Namibia and South Africa the opportunity to do doctoral research in Germany.
Applicants
In principle, applications are open to qualified students from Namibia and South Africa interested in pursuing their doctoral studies under the overall theme of Earth System Management in the following specific fields:
- · Environmental Sciences
- · Landscape Ecology
- · Geology and Oceanography
The whole support is structured to run for a period of 40 months. Funding is provided for an obligatory four-month intensive language course (start: March 2013) and a generally three-year doctoral study (start: July 2013). The grant includes:
- · A home country dependent lump-rate travel allowance
- · A monthly grant payment of 1,000,- EUR
- · An annual study and research subsidy of 460,- EUR
- · Costs of insurance for health, accident and personal liability in Germany
- · Four-month German language course (in Germany)
- · Where applicable, family-dependent allowances or benefits may also be paid
Selection:
The choice of the scholarship holders will be made by a selection committee of German scientists. The decisive selection criteria for the doctoral students are the quality of the Master’s thesis, the relevance and quality of the research proposal, the academic achievements/proficiency in the Master’s degree programme in the home country and English language skills. Experience abroad and knowledge of other foreign languages can be of significance.
The members of the selection committee will also propose the German institution where the individual research should be carried out.
The following documents must be included together with the application form:
- · Curriculum vitae (2 pages max.)
- · Summary of the Master’s thesis (2 pages max.)
- · Presentation of the planned doctoral project (3 pages max.)
- · Work plan and schedule (2 pages max.)
- · Master’s degree certificate
- · Proof of the programme pathway
- · Proof of English language skills (TOEFL 550/213/80; IELTS: 6.0)
- · If possible, proof of German language skills (e.g. TestDaF, Zertifikat Deutsch, Deutsches Sprachdiplom)
- · The letters of recommendation by two scientists of your own choice must be included in sealed envelopes or sent by the referees directly to the DAAD in Bonn by the closing date for applications.
Application Deadline:
The complete documents must have been received in paper form in Johannesburg and Windhoek by 30 September 2012 at the latest.
For further information, visit the link.
