Harvard Center for African Studies Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program 2021

Deadline: 17 May 2021
Open to: applicants who have received a PhD or equivalent doctoral-level research degree
Benefits: a stipend during the fellow residency

Description

Applications are invited for the Harvard Center for African Studies Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program 2021. The Fellowship is aimed at providing opportunities for postdoctoral candidates to conduct independent research, publish, and increase knowledge in their fields of study that will be beneficial to the African continent and to prepare them to be successful in their chosen career paths.

An applicant should have received their PhD (preference will be given to those who completed PhD in past five years) and hold an academic appointment at a university or research institution in Africa. This includes those with a commitment of appointment at the time of application. The fellowship will support the development of a research project at selected Harvard University schools, departments, or laboratories in the field of their choice.

As one of the world’s leading academic institutions, Harvard University is committed to supporting top-quality Postdoctoral Fellows who will contribute to the University’s mission of excellence in teaching and research, and who are interested in advancing new ideas and promoting enduring knowledge. Harvard offers access to intellectual and cultural resources that are as unique as they are unrivaled.

Responsibilities

Under the terms of appointment, fellows will be required to assume the following responsibilities:

Assume primary responsibility for the development of their research and career, in consult with their faculty mentors and other collaborators.
Play an active role in seeking career and research advice, both from the faculty mentors and from other faculty members as appropriate.
Submit a report describing all work carried out at Harvard University and home institution during the research period. The report must be submitted two weeks prior to the end of their fellowship.
Make mention in any publication, presentation, or interview of their status as a CAS fellow as well as those published or carried out as a result of their fellowship.
Notify CAS of any grant, scholarship, or funding obtained from any public or private organization for the same or a different research project.
Fellows should ensure funds are utilized for purposes as defined in the fellowship. Any expenditure outside of the stipulated use will not be accepted.
Fellows should notify CAS of any periods of travel or absence during their fellowship.
Presentation of research at CAS fellow’s colloquium at the end of fellowship.

Eligibility

Applicants must have received a PhD or equivalent doctoral-level research degree (preference will be given to those who completed PhD in past five years) in any discipline with strategic interest to the African continent and must hold a paid academic appointment at one of the eligible institutions.
Applicants who have not yet formally received their degree must present evidence of having completed the academic requirements before commencing the Fellowship.
Applicants must identify a Harvard faculty mentor to support research and scholarly work; additionally, they should identify a second mentor at their home institution.
Both mentors are required to submit letters of recommendation during the application process.
Applicants should have English language proficiency.
Applicants must have support from their home institutions to pursue an 18-month fellowship appointment, six months of which will be spent in a stipend-supported residency in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Throughout the fellowship period, fellows will have access to their mentor at both institutions as well as Harvard’s library resources and seminar/conference opportunities.
Applicants should have an academic appointment at one of the listed eligible universities or include a letter from the institution that such an appointment is forthcoming during the fellowship period.

Eligible Universities

Cairo University
University of Addis Ababa
University of Ghana
University of Nairobi
Ahmadu Bello University
University of Ibadan
University of Rwanda
Cheikh Anta Diop University
University of Sierra Leone
University of the Witwatersrand
University of Johannesburg
University of Dar es Salaam
Makerere University

Selection Criteria

A faculty review committee under direction of the CAS Oppenheimer Faculty Director will use the following criteria to identify final award recipients:

Fellows with strong PhD achievement and actively conducting research and teaching in one of the listed institutions.
Strength and quality of research proposal, project uniqueness, clear purpose, and detailed plan for execution of proposal.
Applicants ability to succeed in a research-based academic track.
Demonstration of initiative, social consciousness, leadership, and a sense of responsibility as well as personal motivations and experiences.
Contribute to and advance new knowledge to the field of study.
Mentors’ recommendation and commitment to fellows’ advancement in the area of research.

Fellowship

Harvard University will pay fellows a stipend during their residency. From this stipend, fellows are expected to pay for housing, health insurance, food, transportation, books and supplies and other expenses. Payments will be made in fellows name ONLY for the six months in residence in Cambridge.