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.

The senior scholars research grant programme provides senior scholars with an opportunity to carry out research that is on par with international standards. This opportunity is provided in recognition of the fact that universities in the region face constraints with regard to funds available for research.

The programme was initiated to retain the research capacity built in the eastern and southern African region and redirect the contribution of senior scholars from consultancy work to high quality research that has both policy relevance and academic significance.

• Conflict management, resolution and post-conflict reconstruction

• Education, indigenous knowledge and development

• Entrepreneurship and development

• Environmental concerns and pollution

• Gender roles, democracy and development

• Governance issues in multi-ethnic societies

• Health, economy and society

• HIV/AIDS and cultural practices

• HIV/AIDS, ARVs and food security

• Africans and global citizenship

• Human rights and

• Information technology, culture and society

• Migration and refugees

• Poverty, economy and society

• Regional integration

• Religion and society

• Resource management and food security

• Trade and the informal sector

• Urban/rural development

All 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 and residents of the region can also apply. However, these applicants should submit their employment contract. All applicants must hold a PhD degree in the social sciences from an accredited institution, and have a minimum of 10 years full-time university teaching experience. They must also have at least a ten-year research experience, with a high publication profile. Applicants should be affiliated with a teaching and research institutions. 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 covering letter

2. A current curriculum vitae

3. Copies of all academic credentials

4. Evidence of teaching and/or research experience and current position from the Dean, Director or Head of department. The letter of endorsement from the researcher’s institution should indicate the institution’s support and willingness to monitor research project and the researcher. It should also state that :

   1. the institution will benefit from the research activity;

   2. the activity is timely and appropriate, and is in the field of interest of the researcher.

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

6. Any research or other scholarly endeavour previously undertaken in this or related field

7. Sample of publications or equivalent endeavour for the last five years

8. 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. Only two research assistants (include duration and rate of pay);

   3. Cost for purchase of computer and its accessories, camera, video recorder and its accessories is not accepted;

   4. Materials and supplies (itemise where appropriate);

   5. Other costs (specify).

9. Co-authored proposals are accepted PROVIDED that the proposal is written by only two authors that fulfil the eligibility criteria indicated above.

10. Proposals co-authored by scholars in two different countries and focusing on issues of regional significance are highly encouraged.

11. 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.

12. Female applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

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

14. 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.

15. Applicants who previously won in one of OSSREA's research grants should ensure that three years have elapsed since they last won the grant and have submitted their research report.

Applications that exceed the page limit will not be considered at all.

BUDGET

The budget of the proposed research should not exceed USD 20,000, out of which 4,500 is automatically retained to cover costs for books/journal, travel within Africa^* and daily subsistence allowances. The grant may be used to cover actual research costs (e.g., local travel and subsistence, supplies, acquisition of documents, photocopying, etc.).

Researchers should provide receipts for car hire, purchase of items such as voice recorders and other items. Furthermore, researchers who spend beyond the recommended price range of certain items as provided by OSSREA should produce official receipts.

Please note that in order to transfer the research funds, winners of the grant are expected to open an account with their employing institution. OSSREA is aware that some institutions may charge administrative costs to facilitate the transaction of the grants through their account. OSSREA will however strive to make arrangements to have those costs waived.

*Winners of the grant are expected to spend a minimum of two months and a maximum of four months in an institution within Africa other than their employing institution. The institution should be located outside the grantee's country of work and residence. The institution should be such that it offers an intellectual environment, library and other information resources that are conducive to the undertaking of the research.

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.

Grantees will be required to finalise the research and present the output twelve months after the signing of the grant contract. They will have to report quarterly on the progress of their research. They will present the major findings of their researches at a forum that will be organised by OSSREA. They will be required to submit to OSSREA their final research report in the form of a publishable monograph/book and a copy on CD. They should also deposit copies of their final research reports with the relevant university library, sponsoring academic department or the national archives in the country where the research was conducted.

Grant applications and proposals should be submitted to OSSREA by mail before 31^st July 2007. Electronic submission of research proposals are accepted. HOWEVER, all other application supporting materials should be posted by MAIL. Completed applications and inquiries should be addressed to:

The Coordinator
Senior Scholars Research Grant
OSSREA
P. O. Box 31971
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel.: 251-11-1239484/1239717
Fax: 251-11-1223921
E-mail: seniorscholar@ossrea.net
Web site: http://www.ossrea.net

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