The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has announced 20 research fellowships for 2018. IITA received a three-year research grant for “Enhancing capacity to apply research evidence in policy for youth engagement in agribusiness and rural economic activities in Africa” funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The deadline for submission is 28 February 2018. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals in advance of the deadline electronically in English or French.
Awards for Research Grants are up to $10,000 (Proposals with a reasonable higher budget can also be selected depending on the quality of the research proposal). Grantees will be supervised by one IITA scientist in close collaboration with their national/university supervisor; grantees will be offered training on research methodology, data management, and scientific writing; grantees will be offered training on production of research evidence for policy-making.
This is an action-oriented fellowship for young academics and professionals, and students at the post-course work/research stage of their programs. This is not a one-time invitation for applications, but rather a continuing call for research on this topic in 2018, 2019, and 2020. The research will be carried out in the following countries: Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Senegal, and Zambia.
According to the fellowship: Applicants must not be more than 40 years old at the time of application, applicants must be a young scholar at a research institute or university in Africa or a student registered in a PhD or Master’s program in recognized universities in Africa, majoring in agricultural economics, agribusiness, or economics or a related social science, and must have finished their university course work. The duration of the research should not exceed 6 months.
The research grant program seeks to contribute to policy development in youth engagement in agribusiness and rural economic activities in Africa. It is designed to provide opportunities to engage youth to improve the availability and use of evidence for youth policies and decision making related to youth participation in agribusiness and rural economic activities by providing them with: funding, support, and the expertise of IITA’s scientists; skills and competencies in social and economic research; and a community of other fellows with whom to exchange ideas.
