The Organisation for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) is a regional research and capacity-building organisation based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Its mission is to develop and promote the emergence of a culture of excellence in the study, research and training in the social sciences.

Committed to this mission OSSREA is offering Post-Doctoral Fellowship Grants to successful applicants based in eastern or southern Africa. Proposals may be submitted by researchers from any of the disciplines in the social sciences involving applied social and economic analysis of contemporary development issues.

In its effort to help retain the teaching and research capacity in the region and beyond, the programme has the following specific objectives:

• To provide opportunities for African PhD degree holders to work in the region and thereby discourage brain drain;

• To enhance the teaching and research capacities of universities and other research institutions in the region;

• To promote the scholarly exchange of ideas in the region;

• To provide a forum for African PhD holders for research and dialogue with policy-makers in the region; and

• To enhance the utilisation of primary research and encourage its circulation among universities and research institutions in the region.

Applicants should be nationals of countries of eastern and southern Africa and should be based in an institution in eastern and southern Africa. In addition, Africans who are non-nationals of the region can also apply. However, applicants in this category should submit their employment contract. All applicants must hold a PhD degree from an accredited institution and a not more than five years full-time university teaching experience since obtaining their PhD. The applicant’s institution must endorse the research to be undertaken and be willing to provide some support to the applicant.

A complete proposal should contain the following:

1. A current curriculum vitae;

2. Copies of academic credentials (Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees);

3. Title of Research Project;

4. Research Plan (objective, scope, significance, literature review, method of approach and design of research, and bibliography);

5. A break-down of the budget in local currency and US dollars (describe each item and indicate how it is related to the research project):

   1. Travel (include specific information concerning places to be visited, mode of travel, transport cost, subsistence cost at approved rates, etc.). Travel expenses of spouse and children may not be claimed.

   2. Assistants (include duration and rate of pay);

   3. Materials and supplies (itemise where appropriate).

   4. Other cost(s) (specify).

   1. Eligible – photocopying costs, typing costs, supplies, field expenditures, purchase of books and journals directly related to the research project, a maximum of two research assistants with details on duties and rates, and other reasonable costs.

   2. Ineligible – purchase of computer and its accessories, camera, video recorder and accessories, course fees, membership in professional societies, visas, medical insurance, organising/attending conferences/workshops, exchange, consulting.

6. A letter of endorsement from the institution of affiliation. The letter should state that: a) the institution will benefit from the proposed research activity; and b) the activity is timely and appropriate, and is in the field of interest of the researcher.

7. The size of the proposal should be limited to a maximum of 10-15 pages with 1.5 line-spacing and font size of 12 Times New Roman. Applications that exceed the stated page limit will not be considered at all.

8. Applicants should submit only one research proposal to this grant competition.

9. Multiple applications with the same proposal to the various OSSREA research grant competitions within the same year is not allowed. Those who do not abide by this regulation will be disqualified from all the research grant competitions.

10. Applicants who previously won one of OSSREA's research grants should ensure that 3 years have elapsed since they last won the grant and should also already have submitted their research report.

The budget for the proposed research should not exceed US$10,000 and may be used to cover actual research costs (e.g., local travel and subsistence, supplies, acquisition of documents, photocopying, etc.).

Research grants will be awarded on the recommendation of a panel of scholars drawn from eastern and southern Africa. The panel will blind-review all proposals.

The research is expected to be finalised ten months after the signing of the agreement for the fellowship grant award. The grantees are expected to report quarterly on the progress of their research and submit the finalised research report in the form of a publishable monograph/book in both soft and hard copy.

Grant applications and proposals should be submitted to OSSREA by mail before 31st July 2007. Electronic submissions will not be accepted. Completed applications and inquiries should be addressed to:

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