Application Deadline: September 30, 2023
Background
The Women for Africa Foundation (FMxA), in line with its mission of contributing to the development of Africa through the drive of its women, is launching the 9th Edition of SCIENCE BY WOMEN programme, with the aim to promote African women’s leadership in scientific research and technology transfer and to foster the capacity of the research centres in their home countries. The main goal is to enable African women researchers and scientists to tackle the great challenges faced by Africa through research in health and biomedicine, sustainable agriculture and food security, water, energy and climate change.
Women’s lives are significantly affected by the repercussions of uncontrolled development; however, social, structural and economic barriers limit their capacity to tackle the great challenges faced by the continent. The gender disparities in science and technology in both the public and private spheres affect Africa’s population as a whole. Narrowing this gap, which has severe consequences on the balanced and sustainable development of African countries, is vital to achieve long-term progress and equal growing.
The programme´s ultimate goal is to enable African women researchers to play a leading role in the transition of Africa to a knowledge-based and innovation-led economy through research that can be transferred into products, processes, services and technologies having impact on people´s lives.
Eligibility Requirements
- Being a woman
- Nationality of an African country.
- Holding a PhD. Post-doctoral experience is preferred
- Contractual relationship with a university or a public or private organization based
in Africa dedicated to significant scientific research in the areas indicated - Excellent academic record and proven track of relevant research experience
- Solid working knowledge of English
Beneficiaries of previous editions are not eligible.
Candidates must have already identified the principal Investigador in the prospective host
centre to confirm that the research proposal can be carried out in collaboration with those
research groups and their laboratories.
General Conditions
In general, the duration of the research stays will be of six continuous months to be
completed within two years from the publication of final selection of beneficiaries.
Exceptionally, some centers admit to split the six-month fellowship in two periods to be
completed within two years from the publication of final selection of beneficiaries.
However, some centers apply special conditions.
Benefits of FMxA Science by Women Program
Successful candidates will have access to the following benefits:
- Return flight from their centre of origin to the host institution
- Living allowance of 2.400 Euros gross per month to cover accommodation,
personal expense and health and occupational accident insurance coverage.
Beneficiaries must devote themselves entirely to research at the assigned research
centre and may not be beneficiaries of any other fellowship, grant, stipend or
regular income during their research stay.
Application Requirements
They must include the following documents are required for the application process:
- Letter of Interest (max. 1 page)
- Full curriculum vitae (Europass format is recommended)
- Fully filled form
- Passport or NID
- PhD Diploma
- Research proposal (Brief and clear description of the project to be carried
out in the Spanish host centre (max. 2 pages)
Selection Process
Applications will be subjected to a highly competitive selection process by the Women
for Africa Foundation’s Scientific Committee. The jury will evaluate the following
criteria:
- The candidate’s research career, curriculum vitae and experience
- The project’s scientific -technical quality and innovative potential.
- The expected and measurable economic or social impact of the research project.
- The candidate’s plan to communicate and disseminate the project’s results.
- The proper consideration of ethical issues where appropriate.
How to Apply
Only applications submitted in English via the Science by Women microsite at
www.mujeresporafrica.es will be accepted. Click HERE to apply. Visit the official FMxA website for more details.