The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), in partnership with the Carnegie Corporation of New York, has introduced an exciting opportunity for Early-Career Researchers (ECRs) through the unveiling of the Early-Career Research Fellowship program. This prestigious initiative aims to empower 13 ECRs by providing them with the chance to engage in globally competitive research at the renowned ARUA Centres of Excellence (CoEs). The fellows will benefit from the guidance of accomplished senior researchers while conducting their research.
The ARUA CoEs operate on a 'Hub' and 'Spoke' institution model, strategically organized around the 'Hub' that focuses on the current priority areas of the network. These centres cover a wide range of fields, including energy, unemployment and skills development, non-communicable diseases, inequality research, and more. They are expected to significantly enhance research and graduate training across Africa.
The Early Career Research Fellowship is a twelve-month residential program facilitated by ARUA. During this period, the selected fellows will reside at the 'Hub' university of the relevant CoE and conduct research related to their ongoing projects. In special cases, fellows may be stationed at a 'Spoke' university based on recommendations from the Centre Director, as long as it differs from their home institution. Prospective applicants are encouraged to indicate their preferred locations and potential mentors/supervisors.
Additionally, the fellowship program encourages the exploration of new research avenues, subject to the approval of the Centre Director. Prospective fellows interested in the ARUA CoE in Climate and Development are particularly encouraged to apply within the focus areas of ecosystem-based adaptation, coastal climate change impacts and adaptation, national climate policy development and implementation, just energy transitions, climate governance, and climate change attribution and loss and damage.
The application deadline for the fellowship program is July 20, 2023. The selection of successful candidates will be carried out by the Director of the relevant CoE in consultation with the host institution's Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Accepted fellows will be notified by August 31, 2023, and the fellowship will commence on October 1, 2023, lasting for a duration of 12 months. This program offers a unique opportunity for early-career researchers to contribute to cutting-edge research while furthering their own professional development in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.
Article by Jed Mwangi
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