Funding

New ESRC studentship award for Ph.D. that commences in September 2012

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the United Kingdom’s main funding body for research in the social sciences. The University of Edinburgh's Centre of African Studies (CAS) is the base for the ESRC’s Scottish DTC Pathway in African Studies & International Development, and for the forthcoming academic year 2012-13 one award is available for a doctoral student to study in CAS. CAS will select the candidate for the award, and requires applications to be submitted by 1500 on Tuesday 27th March 2012 at the latest. 

Candidates may apply for two types of studentships in the African Studies & International Development pathway:

(a) 1+3 awards: Students are funded for a one-year M.Sc. in African Studies, with the expectation that at least half of their courses cover research methods. The M.Sc. is followed by three years of research for a Ph.D. on a topic matching the research expertise of their supervisors. The principal supervisor must be in the Centre of African Studies. 

(b) +3 awards: Students demonstrating sufficient training in research methods will be funded for three years of research for a Ph.D. on a topic matching research interests and expertise in African Studies.

For information on the subject area of African Studies, see: http://www.cas.ed.ac.uk. 

For background on the research interests and expertise of CAS staff, see: http://www.cas.ed.ac.uk/staff_profiles/index.

Eligibility: Studentships are only available to UK and EU nationals who have been recently resident in the EU. Full awards are available to applicants with established UK residency. Fees-only awards are available for EU applicants without UK residency. Further details can be found in the ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide.

 

Students who are eligible for ESRC funding must first apply for a place on the M.Sc. in African Studies or Ph.D. programme through the online application system. 

In addition to the normal application materials required by the Graduate School of Social and Political Science (http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/gradschool/how_to_apply), applicants must also provide the following, which should be sent by e-mail directly to African.Studies@ed.ac.uk, not to the Graduate School:

1. A research proposal of 1,200 words maximum (excluding references). In general terms this should:

- clearly indicate the question/issue/topic that you wish to pursue, and

provide a general background for the proposal (including Why the question is important; An overview of the existing literature on the topic; The gap which your research aims to fill)

- set out the methodology to be used for the research in relation to data creation and data analysis

- indicate why you are particularly well-suited to carry out this particular research

2. A supporting statement from each intended supervisor at the University of Edinburgh (one of whom must be in the Centre of African Studies), including an explanation or demonstration of the adequacy of their supervision.

3. An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV).

4. The standard Scottish Graduate School DTC application cover sheet.

5. An Equal Opportunities monitoring form.

The DTC application cover sheet and Equal Opportunities monitoring form can be downloaded from the Scottish DTC ESRC Studentships application details webpage.

The deadline for receipt of full applications to African.Studies@ed.ac.uk is 1500 on Tuesday 27th March 2012 at the latest.

Interested applicants may contact Professor Paul Nugent about their suitability for the awards.

The DTC aims to announce their decision on all the ESRC Scottish Doctoral Training Centre awards by early May 2012.

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Below are some of the other funding opportunities for research degrees in African Studies:

UoE Principal’s Career Development Ph.D. Scholarships: The University of Edinburgh will award 50 Ph.D. scholarships (including full tuition and stipend) to UK, EU and overseas students applying to study for a research degree in 2012-2013. Each scholarship covers the UK/EU rate of tuition fee as well as a stipend of £14,000. Subject to satisfactory progress, the scholarships are awarded for three years.

UoE College Postgraduate Studentships (for Ph.D. study only): These pay fees at Home/EU rates, as well as stipend, and are renewable for up to three years.

UoE College Scholarships (for Ph.D. study only): These pay fees at Home/EU rates, and are renewable for up to three years.

School Scholarships (for Ph.D. study only): These pay fees at Home/EU rates, and are renewable for up to three years.

UoE Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships (for Ph.D. study only): These partially pay fees for overseas students. University awards may be available to ‘top-up’ other awards to cover full fees costs for overseas students. The Scholarships are renewable up to three years.

UoE Southern African Scholarships: Every year there are up to two fully-funded Southern African Scholarships for citizens of southern African countries to study for postgraduate degrees at the University of Edinburgh.

AHRC studentship competition awards: Ph.D. students with appropriate research topics may be eligible to apply for AHRC funding. The AHRC studentship competition awards cover fees, stipend and research expenses for Ph.D. study for UK students, and fees for EU students.

Chevening Scholarships: The Chevening Scholarship Scheme, funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, provides funding for international students to pursue 12-month Masters at UK universities.

Commonwealth Ph.D. Scholarships: Full Commonwealth Scholarships may be available for doctoral study for Commonwealth developing country citizens.

Ford Foundation International Fellowships: The programme may fund citizens of participating countries to complete up to three years of postgraduate study at a UK university.

 

Graduate Discount University of Edinburgh graduates receive a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees. The scheme applies to both home and overseas students.

 

Do also explore other possibilities at the University’s Scholarships and Student Finance Office website. The website includes a facility to search by region, with the listing including a range of opportunities for Africa-based students.

It is worth bearing in mind when searching the links above that the deadline for receipt of a Ph.D. application precedes the deadline for a given award. Prospective students are therefore recommended to begin the funding process early – even the year before you anticipate commencing your studies.

Interested applicants are strongly advised to contact potential supervisors and/or the Centre of African Studies Ph.D. Adviser, Professor Paul Nugent, about suitability for the awards.