Objectives

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is pleased to announce the sixteenth competition for the Small Grants Programme for Thesis Writing. The grants are intended to contribute to funding primary research conducted by students and professionals, as means of promoting the development of social sciences in Africa and of strengthening the research capacity of African Universities. The grants are also aimed at funding fieldwork, the acquisition of books and documents, data processing and the printing costs of written theses.

Eligibility:

The Programme is open to African professionals and graduate students registered in African universities preparing their theses in all social science fields and other disciplines involving social and economic analysis.

Application Procedures:

Grants applications must contain the following:

Research Proposal:

The proposal is not to exceed ten typewritten pages and should contain a clear statement of research hypotheses, a critical review of the existing literature, the methodology to be used as well as expected results, a work plan and a timetable. The research proposal should be based on an innovative problematic which sets out the specificity of the theme in relation to on-going research in the same area.

Budget:

Applicants should present a detailed budget with expenses clearly linked to specific phases of the proposed activity.

The budget should not exceed:

• US$ 3000 for PhD
• US$ 2500 for Mphil
• US$ 2000 for MA/MSc

Apart from trips for fieldwork in the country in which the research is actually conducted, travel abroad is not funded.

Statement of Institutional Support

A statement from the applicant’s institution of affiliation giving approval for the proposed activity and assurance of continued institutional support throughout the preparation of the thesis. This statement of institutional support should be done on the institution letterhead and bear the official stamp.

Letter of Reference

Two letters of reference are required. One should be from the thesis supervisor and should assess the applicant’s research proposal and abilities. The second letter should be written by a faculty member assessing the applicant in relation to other graduate students and commenting on the validity and scientific worth of the applicant’s research proposal. Both letters should bear official stamps of referees’ institutional affiliation.

Curriculum Vitae

A current curriculum vitae, including nationality and full personal details and a list of publications and/or on-going research proposals must accompany all applications. Proposals found incomplete on the date of the deadline will not be considered

Deadline and Selection Procedures

Only one cohort of fellows will be selected in April 2003 by a pan-African panel of distinguished scholars.

Application deadline is 30 March 2003 and the Selection Committee will meet in April 2003. Applications should be sent to 

Small Grants Programme for Thesis Writing
CODESRIA,
Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop Angle Canal IV,
P.O. Box 3304,
Dakar, Senegal

Tel.: (221) 825 98 21/22/23
Fax: (221) 824 12 89
e-mail: virginie.niang@codesria.sn