Arua Early-Career Research Fellowships Program (Africa)

The program aims to enhance the capacity of early-career researchers at African universities by providing them with time away from teaching duties at their home institutions to collaborate with highly experienced and distinguished researchers at ARUA Centres of Excellence.

Priority Areas

• Energy
• Unemployment and Skills Development
• Non-Communicable
• Diseases
• Inequality Research
• Notion of Identity in Africa
• Migration and Mobility
• Sustainable Food Systems
• Urbanization and Habitable Cities
• Climate and Development
• Good Governance
• Post-Conflict Societies
• Water
• Materials, Energy & Nanotechnology

Funding Information

• The research fellowship shall provide a monthly stipend of US$2,000, modest payment for accommodation, and travel support (return ticket to host institution).
• Successful candidates will be contracted by ARUA for 6 months.

Roles and Responsibilities

• The key roles and responsibilities of the research fellow are as follows:
  • Work with other researchers to undertake various relevant studies at the Centre under the guidance of an assigned mentor.
  • Write and publish a minimum of one academic paper (a jointly authored paper where the fellow is the first/lead author can be acceptable) in a high-impact journal (at least, indexed in Scopus or Web of Science), with an accompanying policy brief or blog post on the appropriate platforms of the respective host institution.
  • Deliver at least two presentations and participate in technical workshops with fellow researchers and other stakeholders.
  • Assist in creating and bolstering new partnerships between the respective Centre of Excellence and other relevant bodies.
  • Assist in disseminating research findings of the Centre.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be African nationals who have a PhD in a discipline/sub-discipline related to the thematic area of the Centre of Excellence.
• Applicants must be within 5 years of completing their PhD.
• Applicants should be young faculty (or research) members at an ARUA university. Female postdoctoral fellows will be considered in limited cases.
• The applicant should not be more than 35 years old at the time of applying.
• Applicants should have a highly competitive track record relevant to the opportunity and be willing to develop a strong international standing and research reputation.
• Applicants must be available to spend 6 months away from their home university and be able to return to their home institution.
• Applicant must be working on an ongoing project related to the CoE and have readily available data to accomplish the main roles and responsibilities.
• Eligible women are strongly encouraged to apply. At least 70% of the fellowships will be awarded to female candidates.

Application Requirements

• Cover letter outlining your reasons for applying for the position and details of how you will achieve the roles and responsibilities of the position.
• Full CV, including applicant details (e.g., date of birth, passport number, country of origin, citizenship, etc.), particulars of doctoral degree, qualifications obtained, research output, a description of the applicant’s contribution in jointly authored publications, and details of two referees.
• A Letter of Support from the applicant’s permanent/home institution, including an indication of suitability for the position and that the candidate will return to the home institution.
• Evidence of Award of PhD.
• A Brief Concept Note (max. 1,500 words, including references) outlining your proposed research project/plan and its alignment with the ambitions of the host CoE. Candidates who can demonstrate that they possess the necessary data or research materials to support their role will have a significant advantage.
• Two academic writing examples. This should not be a chapter from a doctoral thesis. In the case of a jointly authored piece, you should describe your contribution.

For more information, visit ARUA.