CODESRIA 2011 Small Grants Programme for Thesis Writing

[Ogaga E. Maxwell]

CODESRIA 2011 Small Grants Programme for Thesis Writing

Call for Applications

OBJECTIVES: The Council for the Development of Social Science Research
in Africa (CODESRIA) is pleased to announce its Small Grants Programme
for Thesis Writing for the year 2011. The grants serve as part of the
Council's contribution to the development of the social sciences in
Africa, and the continuous renewal and strengthening of research
capacities in African universities, through the funding of primary
research conducted by postgraduate students and professionals. Hence,
candidates whose applications are successful are encouraged to use the
resources provided under the grants to cover the cost of their
fieldwork, the acquisition of books and documents, the processing of
data which they have collected and the printing of their
theses/dissertations. As the Council is strongly committed to
encouraging African researchers to engage one another on a sustained
basis, recipients of the small grants will also be supported to order
books and journals produced by African scholarly publishers, including
CODESRIA itself. They will also be encouraged to apply for
participation in CODESRIA research methodology workshops.

ELIGIBILITY: The CODESRIA Small Grants Programme is open to graduate
students and professionals currently registered in African
universities, and preparing their theses and dissertations in all
social science fields and other disciplines involving social or
economic analysis. Preference is given to those registered for
doctoral studies (PhD or equivalent), though few grants are available
for Masters theses.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Grants are awarded solely on merit, that is,
on the strength of each individual application received by CODESRIA.
All applicants are required to use the application forms designed by
CODESRIA which is made available along with this announcement. The
application forms can also be downloaded from the CODESRIA website -
www.codesria.org. In filling out the forms, applicants are requested
to bear the following guidelines in mind:

RESEARCH PROPOSAL: Candidates' research proposals should each contain
a clear statement of the research hypotheses, a critical review of the
existing literature, the methodology to be used, the expected results
of the work, and a detailed work plan and timetable. The research
proposal should be based on an innovative problematic which sets out
the originality of the theme in relation to on-going research in the
same area. The proposal should not be more than 6 pages, single
spacing, and 12 font-size.

BUDGET: Applicants should present a detailed budget with expenses
clearly linked to specific phases of their research. The budget should
not exceed USD 3,000 for PhD (or its equivalents), USD 2,500 MPhil,
and USD 2,000 Masters. Only trips for fieldwork in the country in
which the research is actually conducted is funded under this grant.

STATEMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT: A statement is required from each
applicant's institution of affiliation, giving approval to the
proposed research and an assurance of continued institutional support
throughout the preparation of the thesis/dissertation. This should be
done on the institution's letterhead and must carry the official
stamp. Contact details of the officer issuing the statement must also
be included.

LETTERS OF REFERENCE: Two letters of reference must accompany each
application, one from the thesis/dissertation supervisor, assessing
the applicant's research proposal and abilities; and the other from a
faculty member, assessing the applicant in relation to other graduate
students, and commenting on the scientific merit and validity of the
proposed research. Contact details of the thesis or dissertation
supervisor must be included in the letter of reference.

CURRICULUM VITAE: Applicants must include their current curriculum
vitae which, among other things, indicates their discipline and
nationality, and provides a list of their recent publications and
on-going research activities.

Please note that any application which is submitted without duly
completed application forms will be automatically disqualified.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The deadline for the receipt of applications is
Friday 17th June, 2011. Incomplete and late applications found to will
not be considered.

All applications should be submitted to:
The Small Grants Programme for Thesis Writing
CODESRIA
BP 3304, CP 18524
Dakar, Senegal
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.codesria.org