Call for Pre-Proposals for Postdoctoral Fellowships for African Researchers

The funding initiative is open to all disciplines and aims at the development and sustainable reinforcement of research in Sub-Saharan Africa. Research projects, developed and carried out by African scholars and scientists in close cooperation with their German partners, shall provide junior researchers in Africa with an opportunity to enhance their skills and academic qualifications. Special emphasis is put on the development, reinforcement, and extension of academic networks inside Africa beyond existing language barriers.

Scope of Funding

The following call aims at post-docs starting academic careers in Africa. Funding can only be approved for research projects carried out in cooperation with a partner academic institution in Germany, and for Junior and Senior Fellowships with a 36-month duration.

Open Calls

Call for Pre-Proposals for Postdoctoral Fellowships for African Researchers on “Resources, their Dynamics, and Sustainability – Capacity Development in Comparative and Integrated Approaches”. Deadline for application is December 13, 2013.
Details of conditions and the application procedure can be found under Information for Applicants (pdf). Applications must be filed electronically via the electronic application system.

Workshops, Symposia and Summer Schools in Africa

Applications will only be accepted for processing after previous consultation with the respective contact person.

Background

The funding initiative was introduced in 2003. By way of preparation, the Foundation organized a number of events during which the pertinent parameters were discussed. This applied especially to the researchers on the African side.

From time to time, the Volkswagen Foundation organizes thematic workshops in order to aid the identification of promising areas of future-oriented research and the development of innovative lines of research in a spirit of partner-like cooperation. These meetings are used to discuss the current status of research, identify research issues, and to explore and develop possibilities for cooperation with other researchers and research institutions inside sub-Saharan Africa. Attendance at these workshops is by invitation only.