Other Opportunities

Agroforestry and natural resource management are well-established research and development disciplines worldwide. Other than the World Agoforestry Centre, many national, regional and international institutions offer a broad range of fellowship and scholarship opportunities that develop and strengthen the capacity of individual learners in these areas.

Current opportunities

GENERAL RESEARCH AND POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
 

1) Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for Developing Countries

The European Union offers full-time scholarships for Masters programmes and Doctorate programmes to students coming from any country around the world.  These scholarships are exclusively awarded to students that have been selected to attend one of the Erasmus Mundus joint programmes at Masters or Doctorate level.

The programme offers full-time scholarships and/or fellowships that cover the living costs, tuition fees, travelling and insurance costs of the students.

Field Study:

For 2012-2013, 131 Masters courses and 34 Joint Doctorate courses are supported by scholarships.  The field(s) of study covered are:  Agriculture and Veterinary, Engineering, Manufacture and Construction, Health and Welfare, Humanities and Arts, Science, Mathematics and Computing, and social sciences, Business and Law.

The programme offers full-time scholarships and/or fellowshipd that cover the living costs, tuition fees, travelling and insurance costs of the students.

Scholarship amounts can vary according to the level of studies/teaching/research, their duration (3 months to 3 years) and the grantee's nationality (scholarships for non-EU individuals are higher than for EU individuals)

Application instructions:

Applicants who wish to apply for the academic year 2012/2013 are advised to consult in advance the websites of each of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Programmes (Masters/Doctorates) that interest you.  There you will find all necessary information concerning the content of the course, its structure, the scholarship amounts as well as the application and selection procedures. Deadline varies from program to program.  The deadline varies per programme but is around October to January annully.

Note:  Students can apply for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship to the Erasmus Mundus action 1 Joint Programme (EMMC) of their choice but the number of applications must be limited to maximum three different joint programmes (EMMC and EMJD together).  For detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship please visit  the website http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus_mundus/funding/scholarships_students academics_en.php#1

Erasmus Mundus Programme Guidelines 2009-2013:  http:eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus_mundus/programme/documents/guide emdec09_%20en.pdf

Please note that each Erasmus Mundus Joint Programme defines its own selection criteria and admission procedures.  Students or scholars should contact the Consortium offering the Masters/Doctoral Programmes for more information.

2) University of Oxford

Waverley - African Studies Centre Joint Scholarship

The Waverley Fund aims to assist academically excellent students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have shown the potential to make a significant contributin in their future careers.

One scholarship will be awarded in 2013-2014 for an MSc in African Studies, and one scholarship for a DPhil student.

How to apply

• All eligible candidates that apply for the MSc in African Studies, DPhil in International Development, DPhil Politics, DPhil History or DPhil Social Anthropology.
• Application deadline 2: (4 January 2013 for Politics, 18 January 2013 for all other subjects.
• In order to be considered for this scholarship, you must have secured a place on your chosen programme of study by the expected final decision date (13 March 2013).
• Applications with outstanding admissions decision after this date or application which are re-evaluated against the later March deadline field, are not eligible for scholarship consideration.
• Successful candidates will be notified by email in early May 2013.
• If you have any question about this scholarship, please email through the Ask a Question tool.

3) RSM Fellowships Program

The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program provides support to young researchers working in academic and research institutions from eligible countries preparing a doctoral thesis.  Research grants cover residence costs for a 5 to 10 month period in a renowned university or research center.  Fellows are expected to advance their research work mainly by using the facilities and resources provided by the host institution and by interacting with peers.

Candidate's field of research should be related to development at the master's level, in fields such as economics, health, eductation, agriculture, environment, natural resource management or other development-related subject.

Only lecturers and researchers from eligible countries working on their doctoral thesis can apply for the fellowship.  Candidates should be under 45 years, and have completed any course work or exams required for their doctoral program.

The purpose of the grant is to help fellows advance their doctorial research work through a residency period of five to ten months in a host institution in a country other than their home country or country of residence.  During the research period at the host institution, the fellows are publications, databases, and software; attend seminars and eventually courses.

The deadline for submission of the fellowship program is 31 July 2013.

4) Netherlands Fellowship Programmes

The Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP) promote capacity building within organisations in 62 countries by providing training and education through fellowships for professionals.  The NFP is initiated and fully funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the budget for development cooperation.

The Aim of the NFP

The aim of the NFP is to help increase both the number and the competencies of skilled staff at a wide range of governmental and non-governmental organisations.

The Fellowship

An NFP fellowship is intended to supplement the salary that you should continue to receive during the study period.  The allowance is a contribution towards your costs of living, the costs of tuition fees, visas, travel, insurance and thesis research.  More information can be found on                                                                                                      http://www.studyinholland.nl/scholarships/scholarships-administered-by-nuffic/netherlands-fellowship-programmes 

Application deadline for Masters Degree 7th May 2013.

5) SEARCA Graduate Scholarship for Southeast Asians

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) invites applications for its graduate scholarship (MSc and PhD) in agriculture and related fields for school year 2014-2015.

How to apply

Interested parties may submit their accomplished SEARCA Scholarship Application form together with other original application requirements to the Ministries of Education/Higher Education of their respective countries.  Applicants must check the dealines set by the Ministries to receive/accept applications of SEARCA Scholarship.

The applicant's topic of research for thesis/dissertation must be in line with any of SEARCA's priority thrusts, namely: Natural Resources Management and Agricultureal Competitiveness.  This information can be found on http://searca.org/index.php/component/content/article/26-scholarship-announcements/990-searca-graduate-scholarship-for-southeast-asians-2014-2015 

Applications deadlines is 30th July 2013.

6) Australian Centre for Internationa Agricultural Research

John Allwright Fellowship

The ACIAR Fellowships scheme was introduced in 1986 to provide the opportunity for partner country scientists involved in ACIAR-Support collaborative research projects to obtaine postgraduate qualifications at Australian tertiary Institutions.

Fellowship benefits

Postrgraduate studeies undertaken by each awardee are based on the research work being carried out under the collaborative research project in which the awardee is engaged prior to taking up the award.  However, it is important that the student's research project forms a discrete topic related to, but not part of, the existing ACIAR project.  For more information please visit our website on http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Funding/Competitions/Pages/CompetitionDetails.aspx?CompetitionID=52 

7)  Slovak Scholarships for Developing Countries

The providion of scholarships of the Government of the Slovak Republic is a long-term component of development assistance by the SR, which is a programme and project activity of the SR Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the international community.  In 2007 the Slovak Government adopted Act no. 617/2007 on Official Development Assistance by the Slovak Republic, creating the institutional basis for the provision of official development aid (hereinafter simply "ODA") in all its forms.

Application

The deadline for submission of online application form for the scholarships for the academic year 2013/2014 is 30th May 2013.

8)  Lord Walston Scholarship for African Students at Univeristy of East Anglia in UK, 2013/2014

One Lord Walston Postgraduate Scholarship is available in Agriculture and Rural Development, Environment and international Development, Climate Change and International Development at University of East Anglia in UK.  The selection criterion is academic excellence.  The applicants must be African students who are working in natural resource based projects (agriculturalist/natural resource) and must be proficient in English.  The scholarship covers full fees and Mainteinace (living expenses).  All eligible candidates to whom the School has made an offer are automatically considered for nomination by 31 May 2013.

Study Subject:  The scholarship is provided in MA Agriculture and Rural Development, the MSc Environment and International Development or the MSc Climate Change and International Development.

Course Level:  This scholarship is available for pursuing master's degree level.

Scholarship Provider:  University of East Anglia

Eligibility:   For applicants from Africa who are working natural resource based projects.

The scholarhip covers full fees and maintenance (living expenses)

Application deadline is 31st May 2013.

9)  2013 TWAS-CAS Fellowships for Visiting Scholars in China

Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and TWAS offers fifteen Visiting Scholarships.  The scholarships are offered to all students from Developing Countries (other than China).  Visiting Scholar Fellowships are offered in the field of natural sciences and are tenable for minimum period of one to a maximum of three months at the research institutions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.  Applicant applying for the scholarship must be a maximum age of 55 years on 31 December of the application year.

Study Subject:  The scholarship is offered in the field of Natural Sciences

Course Level:  The scholarship is provided to pursue Research programme at institutions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

Scholarship Provider:  Chinese Acaemy of Sciences (CAS) and TWAS

Scholarship can be taken at:  China

Eligibility:

• Applicants for these Fellowships must meet the following criteria

• Be a maximum age of 55 years on 31 December of the application year
• Be nationals of a developing country (other than China)
• Must not hold any visa for temporary or permanent residency in China or any developed country
• Hold a PhD degree in a field of the natural sciences and a regular research assignment with at least five years of : 
• Postdoctoral research experience
• Be accepted at a CAS-listed institution participating in the scheme and provide an official acceptance letter from the host institution 

Number of Awards:  15 fellowships are awarded

Duration of Awards:  Fellowships are tenable for minimum period of one to a maximum of three months at the research institutions

Scholarship Application Deadline:  The deadline for receipt of applications is 31 August each year.

10)  2013 International Scholarship Scheme at Nottingham Trent University, UK

The School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences at Nottingham Trent University offers postgraduate scholarships to international students to study for a full-time, taught postgraduate degree for 2013/2014 academic year.  Recent graduates from NTU can apply for this scholarship.  Scholarship is open for international students.  The scholarship covers $5000 fee reduction. 

Study Subject(s):  Scholarships are provided for courses in School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences at Nottingham Trent University.

Course Level:  This scholarship is available for pursuing a full-time, taught postgraduate degree at Nottingham Trent University

Scholarship Provider:  Nottingham Trent University, UK

Eligiblitity:

• Have a chieved the minimum entry requirements for your chosen course
• Be an International applicant
• Apply for your 2013/2014 postgraduate courses by 1 July 2013 and are accepted onto the course.  Complete the scholarship application form and email it by 1 July 2013.

Scholarship Description:

The University offers a wide range of postgraduate scholarships to international students applicable to certain countries or regions of the World.  Applicants for a postgraduate programme in the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences.  More information

Application deadline is 1st July 2013.

11) IDRC Doctoral Research Awards

IDRC offers these awards twice a year.  Thesea awards are intended for field research in one or more developing countries.  Candidates must conduct their research in areas corresponding to IDRC Program priorities and must ensure that their research project aligns with these priorites.

IDRC Doctoral Research Awards are intended to promote the growth of Canadian and developing-country capacity in research on sustainable and equitable development from an international perspective.

Research proposals that include comparative research between a developing country and Canada or that have a Canadian component, even if it is not comparative research, will not be considered for this competition.

Who can apply

• To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, or a citizen of a developing country
• Be enrolled at a Canadian University at the doctoral level
• Your research proposal must be approved by your thesis supervisor
• Your proposed field research must take place in one or more developing countries and be conducted for a doctoral dissertation
• You must provided evidence of affiliation with an istittution or organization in the developing country region (s) in which the research will take place.
• You must have completed coursework and passed comprehensive exams before taking up the award

Award tenure corresponds to the period of field research.  It will not be less than three (3) months.  IDRC is responsible for field research expenses occurring only after the announcement of the results and from the date indicated in the official letter to successful candidates.  The award is not retroactive field research expenses that took place before the results announcement will not be covered.

Value

The award will cover justifiable field research expenses up to CA$20,000 a year.  You may apply for funding renewal for a second year of field work if the research requires a second season of data collection.  However, renewals are an exception and are provided for research that may need to deal with the uncertainities of growing seasons and climatic conditions that affect data collection.

For more information please contact awards@idrc.ca  or visit http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Funding/Competitions/Pages/CompetitionDetails.aspx?CompetitionID=53

12) OFID SCHOLARSHIP AWARD 2013/2014

OFID (The OPEC Fund for International Development) is pleased to announce that qualified applicants who have obtained or are on the verge of completing their undergraduate degree and who wish to study for a Master's degree are welcome to apply for the OFID Scholarship 2013. The OFID Scholarship will be awarded to support students or candidates for Master's degree studeies.  The applicant must be from a developing country, and he/she must first obtain admission to pursue a Master's (graduate) degree in any recognized university/college in the world.  The Scholarship is open to those students who wish to pursue studies in a relevant field of Development or Energy Studies.

Through its scholarship scheme, OFID aims to help highly motivated, highly-driven individuals overcome one of the biggest challenges to their careers - the cost of graduate studies.  The winner of the OFID Scholarshop Award will receive a tuition support of up to US$50,000.  The funds will be spread over a maximum of one year, toward the completion of a Master's degree, or its equivalent, at an accredited educational institution, starting in the autumn of the academic year 2013.

Seed Fund for Research and Training (SFRT)

Rationale and objective

The Southeast Asian has a number of promising researchers and scientists whose desire to contribute to the region's development through research and knowledge dissemination initiatives is hindered bylack of funds.  This situation serves as a barrier to translating promising research and training into scientific outputs that could be applied to promote development.The Seed Fund for Research and Training (SFRT) is envisaged to provide chosen research and training project proposals with limited start-up funds intended to enhance chances of securing long-term support from donor agencies.  A grant of up to $15,000 shall be awarded as seed fund for research/training.

Proponent Qualification

• A graduate of at least a four-year degree
• Without significant funding support

Process of Paper Submission

Send hard copies of the proposal through courier and an advance copy via electronic mail

Via Courier

• Provide five (5) hard copies of your proposal stapled separately
• Send it on an envelope addressed to the Manager

Via Electronic Mail

• Send an advance electronic mail copy of the same proposal to sfrt@agri.searca.org.

Deadline of Submission

All project proposals should be received by SEARCA on before 01 August 2013 of a given year.  For more information, please visit the website on http://searca.org/index.php/research-and-development/seed-fund-research.

13)  MY Community of Earth

2013 MyCOE / SERVIR Initiative in West Africa

We are pleased to announce a new global fellowship program designed for undergraduate and graduate students in eligible countries to build regional research capacity to use geography and the geographic information sciences.  This third round of fellowships will be offered to students in eligible countries in West Africa. 

About the Program

The MyCOE/SERVIR Initiative in West Africa is a 10-month fellowship program for undergraduate and graduate students in eligible countries in West Africa who are currently enrolled in any field at an institution of higher education in an eligible country with ideas and plans for research that address themes of Women in Climate Change and Food Security using geographic technologies.  Students are invited to propose a research and outreach project and will be competitively selected on the basis of their long-term potential to contribute to these topics in the region.  This cal for proposals is particularly interested in applications demonstrating linkages across Three Generations of Women in Climate Change and Food Security.  The program will connect these teams of emerging researchers and their mentors with international pioneering female scientists and experts in climate change for inspiration and guidance.  MyCOE/SERVIR program will provide students with customized capacity training in GIS, remote sensing, GPS, and/or spatial techniques to help them enrich their research proposals. For more information http://www.aag.org/mycoe.servir/westafri.

14)  Graduate research opportunities in Climate Change

The World Agroforestry Centre undertakes research on climate change, with a special focus on the ability of trees and agroforestry systems to support mitigation and adaptation to climate change effects.  We are active in a wide range of sites globally, with a learning to tropical and sub-tropical conditions.  Currently we are looking for graduate research students in the following areas - the topics are not limited to the wording hereunder:

• Vulnerability assessment;
• Climate risk reduction through agroforestry (and other improved management practices);
• Climate governance and finance;
• GHG flux measurement and modeling;
• Mitigation potentials; and
• Remote sensing of poverty indicators (PhD);

Most of the field work would be carried out in the Kisumu area in Kenya, but there are other options as well (West Africa, Southern Africa, maybe even Latin America or Asia).  We particularly encourage students with plans to work for at least 6 months, but shorter Sojourns may also be considered.  Candidates will work with our scients and University supervisors to frame research questions to fit student capacities.  We can be very flexible.  ICRAF offers space, supervision and potentially accomodation.  Students should have their own scholarship funds.  If interested please contact Hellen Ochieng h.ochieng@cgiar.org

15) EABL Foundation Opens 2013 Scholarship 

EABL Found has announced this year's scholarship application drive in Kenya where 20 successful candidates stand to benefit from a full university scholarship.  The incentive which targets bright students who have excelled in their studies but cannot afford university education offers a scholarship package that covers tuition, books, accomodation and a monthly stipend.

The scholarships come under the Foundations skills for life pillar whose aim is to give back to the community in form of education.  To date, over 200 students have been awarded with the EABL Foundation Scholarships across East Africa for the last 12 years.  Successful applicants have over the last seven years been enrolled to Strathmore, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Makerere Universities among others.  Applications for Strathmore University to study commerce or Business Information Technology will close on 23rd May 2013 while those wishing to study Engineering OR Food Science in the Public Universities have until 23rd July 2013 to apply.

For more information http://wl3.peer360.com/content graphics/248735.gif

16)  DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarships for Postgraduate Studies, 2013/2014

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is funding In-Region scholarships for postgraduate studies.  This scholarship programme is offered to the students of Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.  The scholarship is available for pursuing studies in a discipline having strong relevance to national development in applicant's home country.  The scholarship will initially be awarded for one year only but it can be extended for master's studies for a maximum period of two years and up to three years for PhD studies.

Study subjects:  Applied social sciences, environmental and other special areas of law.

Course Level:  The scholarship is available for pursuing a Masters or a PhD/Doctorate

Scholarship Application Deadline:  The deadline for submission is between May - June 2013

Further information about the application procedure, dealines can be obtained from the Board of Postgraduate studies/graduate school at universities and from the secretaries of the networks associations or visit http://scholarship-positions.com/2014-daad-scholarships-postgraduate.