For African Students: International PhD Fellowships 2009, London, UK

Terms of the award

Approximately 20, four-year fellowships will be offered which will cover (a) a personal stipend for the duration of the award (b) costs of spending up to 12 months with a European partner institution and (c) up to £50,000 to cover the costs of research undertaken as the basis of the PhD thesis. The latter must relate to some aspect of the treatment or prevention of malaria and be conducted in a large part in a malaria endemic country in Africa.

Candidates will be expected to register for their degree with one of the five African universities in the partnership. Applications from outside the countries of the African partner universities will be considered but
the candidate will be required to register with one of these universities. Strong supervisory support will be provided by one of the northern partners and the fellowships will cover the costs of up to one year of residence at one of the northern partner institutions, if this is necessary for project development, analysis or writing up.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates for these fellowships must meet the following eligibility criteria.

1. Normally resident in a malaria endemic country of Africa. African scientists currently undertaking further education outside Africa are eligible to apply.

2. African nationality.

3. A first or upper second class first degree in a subject relevant to research on malaria.

4. A commitment to research demonstrated by previous work experience.

Application procedure

Applications should be submitted on the designated electronic form available on the MCDC website (www.mcdconsortium.org) in English or in French. Candidates who have difficulty in accessing or completing this electronic application should approach the MCDC secretariat for advice (see contact address below). Candidates should indicate at which University they wish to take their degree. The application form requests
a research outline. This should give an indication of the area of research of interest of the candidate but their research must also be compatible with the research interests of the department with which they wish to work. Candidates who wish to learn more about the areas of research being covered by each of the African universities in the partnership may do so by requesting further information from the contacts listed at the end of this document.

Application deadline

12 December 2008

Selection procedure

Applications will be considered first by the African university which the candidate has indicated as his/her first choice. Shortlisted candidates will then be reviewed by the steering committee of the consortium and recommendations made for funding. Criteria on which selections will be based will include; past educational experience (an MSc or related degree will be an advantage), evidence of a commitment to research, referees reports and the quality and originality of the proposed research project. Award o f a fellowship will not guarantee a place at the chosen university. Thus, before application, candidates should check that they meet the PhD student entry requirements of the university that they have chosen. These are available from the MCDC website.