The Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme for young African researchers aims to enable scholars to undertake research for a short research period (generally 1 to maximum 3 months) in which they are engaged in their home institution, at a selected Coimbra Group university, and to help them establish academic and research contacts. The following Coimbra Group universities are participating in the 2011-2012 edition of the scheme:
• University of Aarhus (Denmark)
• University of Barcelona (Spain)
• University of Coimbra (Portugal)
• University of Geneva (Switzerland)
• University of Granada (Spain)
• University of Graz (Austria)
• University of Groningen (The Netherlands)
• University of Leuven (Belgium)
• University of Padova (Italy)
• University of Poitiers (France)
• University of Salamanca (Spain)
• University of Siena (Italy)
• University of Turku (Finland)
Eligibility Criteria
• The scheme is intended for young academics (normally those under the age of 45).
• Applicants should be current staff members of a university or an equivalent higher education institution, and, in most cases, should be of postdoctoral or equivalent status.
• A limited number of grants are available for technical/administrative staff from African universities (please see the requirement of each individual university).
• In most universities the language of instruction is that of the country itself, but in most universities is possible to use English as the working language.
Application Procedure
Applicants must fill in the on-line application form before 15 March 2011.
Candidates will be able to select one university only. Applicants should identify a research supervisor in the host university and provide his/her contact details in the application form. It would be desirable if applicants took contact with their research supervisor before submitting their application (please note that some universities require a letter of acceptance by your supervisor in your host university – see the list for details).
Information should be submitted in English. After submitting the on-line application a confirmation message will automatically be sent to the e-mail address provided by the candidate. This will be your acknowledgement of receipt. The Coimbra Group Office will not individually acknowledge each application received.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply and will be prioritised.
When selection has been agreed, the host university may send a letter of invitation directly to the successful candidate. The Coimbra Group Office will contact candidates who are not successful in obtaining a place under the scheme.
Successful candidates who are currently employed by a University are responsible for ensuring that their home institution will grant them leave of absence to undertake the proposed visit.
Source: Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme for Young African Researchers (http://www.coimbra-group.eu/sp/docs-sp/2011/Africa%20Brochure%202011.pdf)