Application Deadline: December 20th 2021
The funding initiative aims at the development and sustainable reinforcement of research in Sub-Saharan Africa and is open to all disciplines. A primary objective is to provide junior researchers in Africa with an opportunity to enhance their skills and academic qualifications and to open up future prospects in their home countries. Besides supporting African-German research cooperation, a special focus has always been on the development, reinforcement, and extension of academic networks within and beyond the African continent.
Scope of Funding
Workshops, Symposia and Summer Schools in Africa
Funding can be made available for symposia, workshops (usually up to 50 participants) and summer schools (max. 60 participants). The initiative is thematically open and not confined to any particular subject area. The basic criteria are:
- developed in cooperation between German and African scholars
- participants from African and non-African countries (incl. Germany)
- active participation of young researchers (doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers)
Applications can be filed at any time but at least eight months prior to the event date. In a first step, applicants are requested to send a draft proposal and discuss the proposed event’s general suitability for funding with the program manager.
Benefits
Costs covered may include the following items:
• Expenses for catering and accommodation; rental of premises.
• Travel expenses for participants and speakers.
• Funds for preparing and running the event, including the costs for the compilation of working materials and their publication in the internet.
No funds can be provided for the following items:
• Flat-rate amount to cover general organizational expenses.
• Cost of honoraria and similar items.
• Expenses for accompanying persons or family members.
• Any supplementary programs or entertainment expenses for accompanying persons.
• Costs for participants from industry.
Application and Selection Procedure
- In a first step, applicants are requested to send a draft proposal and discuss the proposed event’s general suitability for funding with the program manager. The draft proposal (2-3 pages) should be a short version of the full proposal including information on the scientific topic and its relevance for Africa, the involved partners, a concept of the event and a preliminary budget.
- Having received a positive feedback from the Foundation, the applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Proposals should describe the event in such a way that adequate information is available for the scientific review.
- Applications can be filed at any time but at least eight months prior to the event date.
- Applications are subject to written review and must be submitted in English, as they will be assessed by international experts.
Application Checklist
Applications must be submitted to the Volkswagen Foundation electronically via the online application system. On the system, the following documents should be uploaded as “enclosures” (pdf-files):
• Description of the scientific topic (max. 5 pages) including references.
• Detailed budget and justification.
• CV (max. 2 pages) of the main applicant (German academic institution) and co-applicant (African academic institution).
• Description of cooperation between main applicant, co-applicant and involved partners.
• Preliminary list of participants (including speakers/lecturers and junior researchers).
• (Tentative) program of the event including details on the respective event formats (clearly indicating the role of junior researchers).
• Selection procedure of students and/or junior researchers
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Volkswagen Stiftung Knowledge for Tomorrow