Small Grants Programme for Thesis Writing 2005

CODESRIA

Small Grants Programme for Thesis Writing 2005

Objectives: The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in
Africa (CODESRIA) is pleased to announce the fourteenth competition under
its Small Grants Programme for Thesis Writing. The grants are intended to
contribute to the development of the social sciences in Africa and the
strengthening of the research capacity of African universities through the
funding of primary research conducted by post-graduate students and
professionals. In this connection, candidates whose applications are
successful are encouraged to use the resources available under the grants to
cover the cost of their fieldwork, the acquisition of books and documents,
the processing of data which they have collected and the printing of their
thesis/dissertation.

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

Application Procedures: Grants are awarded solely on the strength of the
applications received by CODESRIA. All applications must contain the
following:

(i) Research Proposal: The proposal should not exceed ten
type-written pages and should contain a clear statement of the research
hypotheses, a critical review of the existing literature, the methodology to
be used, the expected results of the work, and a detailed work plan and
timetable. The research proposal should be based on an innovative
problematic which sets out the originality of the theme in relation to
on-going research in the same area;
(ii) Budget: Applicants should present a detailed budget with
expenses clearly linked to specific phases of their research. The budget
should not exceed USD3000 for those preparing a PhD, USD2,500 for those
preparing an M.Phil, and USD2,500 for those preparing an MA or MSc. Apart
from trips for fieldwork in the country in which the research is actually
conducted, travel abroad is not funded under the grant.
(iii) Statement of Institutional Support: A statement is
required from the applicant's institution of affiliation giving approval for
the proposed research and an assurance of continued institutional support
throughout the preparation of the thesis/dissertation. This statement of
institutional support should be done on the institutional letterhead and
must carry the official stamp;
(iv) Letters of Reference: Two letters of reference must
accompany each application, one from the thesis/dissertation supervisor
assessing the applicant's research proposal and abilities and another from a
faculty member assessing the applicant in relation to other graduate
students and commenting on the scientific merit and validity of the proposed
research;
(v) Curriculum Vitae: Applicants should include a current
Curriculum Vitae which, among other things, indicates their discipline and
nationality, and provides a list of their recent publications and on-going
research activities in which they are involved.

Application Deadline and Selection Procedures: The deadline for the receipt
of applications is 30 April, 2005. Applications found to be incomplete or
which arrive after the deadline will not be taken into consideration. The
independent Selection Committee charged with screening all applications
received will meet in May 2005 and the results of its deliberations will be
announced shortly thereafter.

All applications should be submitted to:
The Small Grants Programme for Thesis Writing
CODESRIA,
BP 3304, CP 18524,
Dakar,
Senegal.
Tel.: +221-825 9822
Fax: +221-824 1289
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.codesria.org