Submissions Open: Francis H. Brown African Scholarship

The Leakey Foundation’s Francis H. Brown African Scholarship provides up to $30,000 to support East African scholars conducting research in earth sciences and botany related to human origins. The scholarship aims to advance scientific knowledge, strengthen research capacity in East African institutions, and support scholars committed to long-term careers in research and teaching in their home countries.

What is the Francis H. Brown African Scholarship?

The scholarship is a funding opportunity for graduate students and early-career researchers of African heritage conducting studies in earth sciences or botany related to human origins. It supports projects that:

• Expand scientific understanding of human origins
• Strengthen research capacity within East African institutions
• Enable scholars to pursue research and teaching careers in their home countries

The scholarship focuses on enabling impactful research with direct benefits to local scientific communities.

Funding Details

• Maximum Amount: $30,000
• Eligible Expenses: Travel, fieldwork living costs, research supplies, and other project-related costs
• Ineligible Expenses: Institutional overheads, salaries, benefits, or publication costs

Who is Eligible?

• Citizens of Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Djibouti, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, or Eritrea
• Graduate students at accredited universities or post-PhD researchers who completed their doctorate within the last ten years
• Scholars engaged in research in earth sciences or botany related to human origins
• Candidates committed to continuing a career in research and teaching in their home country after completing their studies

Why This Scholarship Matters

• Supports East African research capacity in critical scientific fields
• Enables scholars to pursue independent, high-impact research
• Promotes long-term academic and scientific development within home countries

How to Apply

1. Confirm Eligibility: Verify citizenship, academic status, and research focus
2. Prepare Proposal: Include research objectives, methodology, timeline, and budget justification
3. Submit Application: Follow instructions on the Leakey Foundation scholarship portal
4. Evaluation: Applications are assessed on scientific merit, feasibility, and potential impact on research capacity in East Africa

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Requesting funds for salaries, benefits, or publication costs
• Submitting proposals outside the scope of earth sciences or botany related to human origins
• Failing to demonstrate commitment to continuing research in the home country

FAQ

1. Who can apply? Graduate students and post-PhD researchers of African heritage from specified East African countries.
2. What research areas are eligible? Earth sciences and botany related to human origins.
3. What can the funding be used for? Travel, fieldwork living costs, supplies, and essential research expenses.
4. Is this scholarship renewable? No, it provides one-time funding per awarded project.
5. How recent must doctoral graduates be? Applicants must have completed their PhD within the past ten years.
6. Do applicants need to remain in their home country? Scholars must demonstrate commitment to pursuing research and teaching in their home country after the scholarship.
7. Are institutional overheads covered? No, the scholarship does not cover overheads, salaries, or publication costs.

Conclusion

The Francis H. Brown African Scholarship empowers East African scholars to advance research in earth sciences and botany related to human origins. By funding critical project expenses and fostering local scientific capacity, the scholarship strengthens research institutions and supports scholars’ long-term academic careers in their home countries.