AWHF Moses Mapesa Research Grant for  African Doctoral and Masters Students.

Application Deadline: 4 August 2023

The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is pleased to announce the Moses Mapesa Research Grant to support African Doctoral and Masters Students in the field of natural and cultural heritage.

The AWHF was launched in 2006 in South Africa to support African State Parties in implementation of the UNESCO Convention of 1972 concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention).

The late Moses Wafula Mapesa (1965-2016) dedicated his career to wildlife conservation contributing immeasurably to the field of natural resource management in Africa. He served as the IUCN WCPA Regional Vice Chair for East and Southern Africa and was the former Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

To encourage young heritage professionals undertaking Masters and Doctoral research in the field of natural and cultural heritage in Africa the Fund set up an annual application for Moses Mapesa Educational Research Grant. This Grant seeks to further research (particularly supporting fieldwork) on issues of conservation, management, and sustainability of World Heritage properties and sites on Tentative Lists in Africa.

Eligibility

The call is open to students who are:

1. Currently or will be registered in 2024 in a Doctoral or Masters programme (Masters 2 for Francophone countries) at an African university and conducting dissertation research in the field of either natural or cultural heritage at an African World Heritage Site;
2. Fluent in English, French or Portuguese;
3. Citizens of an African Union Member State which is party to the World Heritage Convention.

Grant support

Grant amounts will vary depending on research proposals, with a maximum award of USD Five Thousand (5,000.00). The fieldwork research needs to be conducted in no longer than 9 months from the signature of the contract (May 2024 to February 2025). The award will support research projects focused on the following topics related to a World Heritage or a tentative listed site in Africa:

1. Traditional Management Systems;
2. Risk management and preparedness;
3. Heritage in Conflict and Post-conflict situations;
4. Heritage management and conservation;
5. Heritage and Climate Change;
6. Heritage and Economics/Entrepreneurship;
7. Heritage and Sustainable Development;
8. Heritage Promotion and Awareness;
9. Heritage and Digital Technologies;
10. Heritage and Law.

Application Requirements

All applicants should submit the following application package:

1. The completed application form online;
2. A letter of support from universitymotivation signed and stamped by supervisor/relevant authority;
3. Applicant’s updated curriculum vitae (2 pages maximum);
4. Applicant’s current university transcript;
5. Research proposal (2 pages maximum) including the following:
   1. Full name, affiliated university, country, degree level, title of research and related World Heritage or tentative listed site;
   2. Description of research (Goal/objectives, research question/s, relevance, significance, justification and scope);
   3. Research methodology (approach, timeframe, analysis);
   4. Bibliography;
   5. Budget (indicate funds from all sources, stating specifically the field work items the grant would be for with justifications as to the need).

Incomplete applications and applications that do not fulfill all requirements stated above will not be considered.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the AWHF Moses Mapesa Research Grant