A call for proposals is now open for PhD projects in all disciplines at EPFL within its doctoral school (UM6P/EPFL 100 PhDs for Africa Research programme for African Scholars).
Graduates in science and engineering with a strong academic record who want to pursue a PhD at a university in Africa are eligible for the program.
EPFL is one of the world’s top institutes of science and technology. It brings together students, professors, and staff members from more than 120 countries. The three missions of the public university EPFL are education, research, and innovation. It collaborates with a wide array of partners, including other universities, middle and high schools, companies, political actors, and the general public, to have a real impact on society at both a national and a global level.
Benefits
UM6P/EPFL 100 PhDs for Africa Research programme for African Scholars covers:
- Living allowance
- Tuition fees
- Research costs
- Colloquia
- Costs related to joint supervision
Eligibility
To qualify for this program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- The applicant must be a national of an African country.
- The applicant must be enrolled in an African academic institution and reside in an African country for the duration of the PhD.
- He/she must hold a Master’s degree or must be enrolled in his/her final year of master’s study and will most likely complete his/her Master’s degree within the next six months
- In any case, master’s degree must have been awarded by the time the fellowship agreement is signed.
- The applicant’s Master’s degree must be awarded from a higher education institution in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) or in one of the disciplines that are taught as a subject of advanced research at EPFL.
- Applicants who already started a PhD can apply if they have been registered as doctoral students less than six months before the deadline of this call for proposal
- The applicant must have an outstanding academic track record, as evidenced from the official transcripts of all higher education institutions they have attended.
- The applicants must have the endorsement of a professor of their home institution who is willing and entitled to supervise their doctoral thesis for its full duration.
- However, female researchers are particularly encouraged to apply.
Selection Criteria
The EPFL office will assess all eligible applications based on the following criteria:
- Applicant’s academic track record, scientific excellence, and research objectives
- Applicant’s motivation and the value added of the program to his/her career
- Commitment of the applicant’s proposed supervisor at the home institution
- Commitment to the home institution
- The degree to which the proposed research topic is in line with EPFL research domains
- The potential positive impacts of the proposed project on the African continent
Application Process
Applicants must submit their application with the following documents as part of the application:
- PhD proposal
- Statement of objectives
- List of publications (if applicable)
- Copy of all higher education
- grade transcripts and diplomas
- Reference letters
- Supervisor support letter
- Home institution support letter
- Budget
- Copy of passport
Deadline: April 18, 2023.
For more information on UM6P/EPFL 100 PhDs for Africa Research programme for African Scholars, visit the official site.
