AAS Science and Language Mobility Scheme Africa 2018 (Up to $20,000)

Deadline: May 25, 2018

Applications are invited for the AAS Science and Language Mobility Scheme Africa 2018. The Scheme is a five-year programme that funds researchers from Anglo and Francophone Africa to undertake scientific research in language regions other than their own. The programme seeks to build language skills and cultural capabilities of researchers as they undertake their projects, a strategy towards addressing one of the barriers to intra- Africa scientific collaboration.

The Scheme is a collaboration between the African Academy of Sciences, Wellcome and Institut Pasteur providing travel grants for short term visits of up to six months to African researchers. At the AAS, the scheme will be implemented through the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA).

Objectives

The objectives of the Scheme are:

• Strengthen scientific collaboration between Anglo and Francophone speaking African researchers
• Build language skills/capabilities in English and French among African researchers
• Improve cultural understanding between English and French speaking African researchers.

Financial Support

• The award will cover directly incurred costs up to $20,000 for durations of up to 6 months. This is to cover the applicant’s visa fees, airfare (Economy class), subsistence whilst on the visit, language training costs for up to $2000 and research costs (where required, such as lab reagents).

The amount of each individual award will vary according to location and timescale. For example, if staying for a 6-month placement, the applicant may be expected to source university accommodation or a short term let. However, if visiting for a week, a hotel or equivalent may be more suitable. The decision committee will consider whether the expenses are reasonable and may ask for revised costing.

Eligibility

• Applicants should be a citizen of an African country;
• Be based in Africa;
• Be affiliated with a recognised academic, medical or research institution that is part of either the DELTAS Africa, H3Africa, or Institut Pasteur networks.  For-profit organisations are not eligible;
• The call is also open to non-African investigators who must be resident in Africa (evidence may be requested), have an appointment/affiliation with an African institution, and their residence and tenure of service with the appointing African institution should cover the duration of the award;
• Possess a PhD or postdoctoral fellowship or equivalent research qualification/professional experience;
• Hold a permanent or fixed-term contract in an eligible institution which must span the duration of the exchange.

Application

Applicants will be required to provide the following information at the application stage to enable organizers to assess eligibility to receive travel awards:

• Evidence of support for exchange by an academic supervisor/line manager from applicant’s institution (release letter)
• Evidence of support from host institution (letter of acceptance)
• Curriculum Vitae.

All application forms should be submitted through the AAS Grants Management System (Ishango). Register and apply here.