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Senior Scholars Research Grant
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.
Objectives
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.
Themes for Research Proposals
Eligibility and Application Procedure
All applicants must be based in Eastern or Southern Africa, currently employed in or otherwise affiliated with a national institution that conducts research. They must hold a PhD degree in the social sciences from an accredited institution and with a minimum of 10 years full-time university teaching experience. They must hold a senior rank or position, have at least 10 years research experience and with a high publication profile. 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 academic credentials.
4. Evidence of teaching and/or research experience and current position from employer.
5. Research Plan (objective, scope, significance, literature review, method of approach and design of research, and bibliography).
6. Any research or other scholarly endeavour previously undertaken in this or related field.
7. List of publications or equivalent endeavour for the last five years.
8. A break-down of the budget in local and US dollars (describe each item and indicate how it is related to the research project):
a. Travel (include specific information concerning places to be visited, mode of travel, indicate rates, subsistence cost at approved rates, etc.). Travel expenses of spouse and children may not be claimed.
b. Assistants (include duration and rate of pay).
c. Materials and supplies (itemize where appropriate).
d. Other cost (specify).
9. A letter of endorsement from the institution of affiliation and official clearance form the relevant government authority (in countries where this is applicable). The letter should state that: a) the Institution will benefit from this research activity; and b) the activity is timely and appropriate for the field of interest of the researcher.
10. Co-authored proposals are accepted PROVIDED that the proposal is written by only two authors that fulfil the eligibility criteria indicated above.
11. Proposals co-authored by scholars in two different countries and focusing on issues of regional significance are highly encouraged.
Budget
The budget of the proposed research should not exceed US$20,000 and may be used to cover actual research costs (e.g., local travel and subsistence, supplies, acquisition of documents, photocopying, etc.).
Selection Procedure and Other Conditions
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 12 months after the signing of the grant contract. The will have to report quarterly on the progress of the research. They will present the major findings of the research 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 floppy disk. 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.
Application Deadline
Grant applications and proposals should be submitted to OSSREA by mail before 30th June 2004. Electronic submissions will not be accepted. Completed applications and inquiries should be addressed to:
The Coordinator
Senior Scholars Research Grant
OSSREA
P. O. Box 31971
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia