Future Africa Institute Early Career Research Leader Fellowship 2018 at University of Pretoria

The second call for the Early Career Research Leader Fellowship (ECRLF) is now open. The University of Pretoria’s Future Africa Institute invites applications from among the doctoral graduates and early-career postdoctoral fellows linked to networks and initiatives supported by Carnegie Corporation New York (CCNY).

The Early Career Research Leader Fellowship is an initiative of the University of Pretoria’s Future Africa Institute, funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York. It serves early career research leaders in basic and applied sciences, engineering, social sciences, the humanities and the arts. It aims to grow African academics in their thought leadership, team development, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with an intention to stimulate the emergence of centers of research excellence to solve complex problems that face Africa and the world.

The program design for the Early Career Research Leader Fellowship will aim to stimulate new thinking on the perceived frontiers of science to produce theoretical frameworks for transformation, develop novel questions and/or novel approaches to old and emerging new questions with a focus on adaptability, resilience, and co-design of systems for sustainable and equitable development in Africa.

The Early Career Research Leader Fellowship Program seeks candidates who are committed to developing a new generation of scholars and research leadership in Africa. Researchers working within an inter- and transdisciplinary approach to developing a deeper understanding of the African bioeconomy are encouraged to apply.

Contents

Supported Programs

The program will select fellows from the following eligible CCNY supported programs:

African Humanities Program
Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA)
University of Cape Town (Corporation-supported postdoctoral fellows)
University of Ghana (Corporation-supported postdoctoral fellows)
Makerere University (Corporation-supported postdoctoral fellows & MISR doctoral graduates)
Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa Fellowship Program
Networks comprising the Regional Initiative in Science and Education (RISE):
1. AFNNET
2. AMSEN
3. SABINA
4. SSAWRN
5. WIO-RISE
Regional Universities Forum for Capacity-Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)
University of the Witwatersrand (Corporation-supported postdoctoral fellows)

Benefits of Early Career Research Leader Fellowship

The Fellowship will carry the bulk of the costs associated with the program, including accommodation, meals, and allowances for attending one conference as well as traveling to the home institution once per annum. Costs for visas, vaccinations, travel and medical insurance, and travel not related to the academic content of the program will not be not covered by the program.

Eligibility for Early Career Research Leader Fellowship

This is a second call for the current opportunity. Candidates who have already applied, need not apply again.

The following criteria will be used for the nomination and selection of fellows:

A PhD degree or an equivalent qualification;
A faculty or a continuing research position at a research institution;
Active in research and teaching at an African institution of higher education or research;
A sustained record of outstanding scientific or scholarly outputs;
Interest in translating and communicating the results of their work for impact in society;
Demonstrated leadership ability in research and beyond.

Other criteria which will guide selection include:

An interest in the role of research in addressing complex issues affecting society;
An interest in collaborations across disciplines and sectors (e.g. industry, civil society, government, etc.);
A commitment to participate in all the activities of the fellowship; and
The intent to share what is learned in the program with their broader networks.

The selection process will consider individual qualities but also focus on ensuring a diversity of culture, subject background (natural and social sciences, humanities) and gender among the fellows.

Research projects will be considered and developed on the broad topic of inclusive growth and development through the bio-resource economy, which has been selected for its relevance to development in Africa.
Agriculture and indigenous bio-resources are in need of urgent development and protection and represent some of the most significant untapped sources of sustainable socioeconomic development. Perspectives from the arts and humanities relevant to these concerns are encouraged both as complements to initiatives in the natural and social sciences and as proponents of research questions that might lead to a broad interdisciplinary investigation.
Research might be conducted in either or both countries, but the fellows will retain their position or base at their home institutions. The model will be flexible to allow for minimal disruption of the academic responsibilities at the fellows’ home institutions. Ideally, fellows should have a position at a home institution, or have a commitment from a home institution to support or consider a future position.
Researchers working within an inter- and transdisciplinary approach to developing a deeper understanding of the African bioeconomy are encouraged to apply.
To be selected, applicants need to display a compelling vision of their future involvement in the development of research projects, programs, human capacity, specific policies, or societal structures.

Application for Early Career Research Leader Fellowship

All applicants have to provide two support letters by academic referees (details are provided in the application form). One of the referees has to commit to remain involved in future communications and mentorship in case of selection of the applicant into the program. This referee will be informed about the progress of the fellow and should be willing to support the fellow if he or she requires it.

Click here to apply.

For more information, visit Future Africa Institute.