Application Deadline: 30th June 2018
Eligible Countries: African countries
To be taken at (country): Nairobi, Kenya
Fields of Research: Applicants must be scientists affiliated (through employment) with African National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) e.g. national agricultural research institutes and universities, and conducting research in the areas of food and nutritional security or food safety in Africa. Those carrying out research in the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply*;
- Improved control of priority livestock and fish diseases including: African Swine Fever (ASF); Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP); Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR); Rift Valley Fever (RVF); East Coast Fever (ECF); Capripox Virus diseases of ruminants;
- Harnessing genetic diversity for conservation, resistance to disease and improving productivity of crops and livestock and fish (livestock focus: African indigenous breeds, particularly goats, chickens, alternative small livestock species);
- Molecular breeding for important food security crops in Africa;
- Plant transformation to address food insecurity in Africa;
- Plant-microbe interactions;
- Tissue culture and virus indexing for production of virus-free planting materials in Africa;
- Orphan/underutilized species of crops and livestock;
- Crop pests, pathogens and weed management research, including biological control;
- Microbial technology for improving adaptation of staple food crops and forages to biotic and abiotic stresses;
- Rapid diagnostics for crop, livestock and fish diseases;
- Genomics, bioinformatics and metagenomics including microbial discovery;
- Studies on climate-smart forage grasses and mixed livestock-crop systems;
- Microbial technology for improving adaptation of staple food crops and forages to biotic and abiotic stresses;
- Soil health in agricultural systems;
- Improved control of parasitic pathogens of plants (bacteria, fungi, oomycetes) that cause enormous economic losses as well as environmental damage in natural ecosystems (e.g.: Phytophthora infestans that causes potato blight).
*This list is not exhaustive and applicants working on other relevant topics are welcome to submit their suggestions.
Special opportunities also exist to connect with leading international scientists linked with the BecA-ILRI Hub in the following areas: wheat rusts, insect pests, and nitrogen fixation. Other special opportunities exist to connect with Agri-Food systems CGIAR Research Programs. Such collaboration would allow the applicant’s research to contribute more directly to an impact-oriented research-for-development agenda, and offer additional opportunities for joint activities.
About the Award: The Biosciences eastern and central Africa – International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, located in Nairobi, Kenya, is a shared agricultural research and biosciences platform that exists to increase access for African researchers to affordable, world-class research facilities. The mission of the BecA-ILRI Hub is “Mobilizing Bioscience for Africa’s Development” by providing a centre for excellence in agricultural biosciences, which enables research, capacity building and product incubation, conducted by scientists in Africa and for Africa, and empowers African institutions to harness innovations for regional impact.
The BecA-ILRI Hub capacity building program is branded The Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund (ABCF). The ABCF program operates in the critically important intersection between agricultural research for development (ARD), food security, and individual and institutional capacity building.
The ABCF program is delivered through: i) a visiting scientist program (the ABCF fellowship) targeting scientists from African national agricultural research organizations and universities to undertake biosciences research-for-development projects at the BecA-ILRI Hub; ii) annual training workshops to support the acquisition of practical skills in molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, laboratory management, laboratory safety, equipment maintenance and scientific writing; iii) mobilizing national and regional capacities for joint action; and iv) supporting and strengthening the capacity of national agricultural research systems (NARS) to deliver on their research for development agenda.
Type: Research, Fellowship
Eligibility:
- The call mainly targets nationals of BecA focus countries (Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda). Under special partnership and collaboration arrangements, applicants from other African countries are considered for the fellowship. The applicant MUST be a researcher employed within NARS or with strong affiliation.
- Currently engaged in research in food and nutritional security or food safety in Africa, or in a research area with relevance to agriculture in Africa.
- Good working knowledge of written and spoken English.
- Completed online application form.
- A signed letter of endorsement / nomination of the application from the head of the applicant’s home institute/organization/university faculty.
Applicants stand a higher chance of acceptance to the program if:
- They have own funding to fully support their research and all other costs while at the BecA-ILRI Hub, or
- They are able to secure a significant portion (at least 50%) of their total research budget and other necessary costs while at the BecA-ILRI Hub. In this case they would be seeking partial funding through application for an ABCF fellowship.
We particularly welcome applications from women and less resourced NARS
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Program: The BecA-ILRI Hub has secured funding to sponsor several fellowships on a highly competitive basis. The fellowship will cover the following costs ;
- Research costs at the BecA-ILRI Hub;
- Travel;
- Medical insurance;
- Accommodation;
- A modest subsistence allowance;
- Cost of publication in an open access journal.
Duration of Program: up to 12 months
How to Apply: To apply for a fellowship, click on the online application link here
Award Provider: The ABCF Program is funded by the Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the BecA-CSIRO partnership; the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA); the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF); the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
Important Notes: Successful applicants will be expected to secure leave from their workstation to fully focus on their research fellowship at BecA-ILRI Hub during the fellowship contract period.
Details of successful applicants will be posted on the BecA-ILRI Hub website on a continuous basis until completion of the review process.
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