developing countries | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans - Part 17

AU-TWAS Young Scientists National Awards for Applicants from African Countries: Life and Earth Sciences, Technology

TWAS, the African Union (AU) and national ministries of science and technology are entering into partnership with national science academies, scientific research councils and high-level research organizations in Africa to institute ‘AU-TWAS Young Scientist National Awards’.

The awards are designed to recognize scientific excellence in their countries. In each participating country, two US$5,000-prizes will be awarded each year in the categories of:

* ‘Life and earth sciences’, and
* ‘Basic sciences, technology and innovation’.

For African countries, this programme replaces the TWAS Prizes for Young Scientists in Developing Countries award scheme.

Procedure

* African organizations intending to award AU-TWAS Young Scientist National Awards in their respective countries are required to sign an agreement of collaboration with TWAS, the AU and their national ministry of science and technology that outlines the rules and regulations governing the scheme.The scheme is then managed by the participating organization while TWAS and the AU provide the prize money.
* Candidates eligible for the prizes should be no older than forty years of age at the time of winning the prize; hold at least a Master’s degree; have a good record of research publications in internationally recognized journals; be living and working in the country of the awarding organization for at least the previous three years.
* Nominations of women scientists are particularly encouraged.

* A committee of eminent scientists in the country — including TWAS members, where applicable — should be formed for selecting the prize winners. Names of committee members should be sent to TWAS for information.
* The awarding organizations should send a complete profile of the selected nominees to TWAS, providing details on their achievements together with curriculum vitae and list of publications. Approval of TWAS and the AU is required before announcing the names of the winners.
* The prize should be presented to the awardees by a high-ranking public figure (e.g., head of state/government, minister of science and technology) at a special ceremony held each year on 9 September: Africa Union Day.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 30 June 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

H.J. Heinz Company Foundation Fellowship, USA

The Heinz Fellowship was established in 1982 by an endowment from the H. J. Heinz Company Foundation to the University of Pittsburgh’s University Center for International Studies. The fellowship is managed by the Global Studies Center at the University Center for International Studies, and is offered annually providing one year of practical, professional, and non-degree educational experiences through the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, USA. The University of Pittsburgh is one of the leading research universities in the United States and includes 16 professional schools, 28 departments in the arts, social and natural sciences, 3,400 faculty members, 27,000 students, and library holdings of over 4.7 million volumes. Pitt is located in an urban center of cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity.

Heinz Fellowships are granted to individuals from developing countries who demonstrate potential as future leaders in the public, government, non-profit, or private sectors. The goal is to improve, early in a career, the fellows’ capacity to contribute to the development of their country and to enhance their understanding of the United States. This is accomplished through a year of sitting in on selected courses and participating in practical professional activities while based in Pittsburgh. Upon acceptance of their final report, fellows will receive a program certificate from the University Center for International Studies. This is non-degree program. Courses are observed on an informal basis, and do not earn credit towards any academic degree.
Scholarship Application Deadline: March 1, 2011
Further scholarship information and Application

TWAS-BIOTEC Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme 2011, Thailand: Biotechnology

TWAS-BIOTEC Postdoctoral Fellowships are tenable in BIOTEC and its affiliated research units for a period of twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) months and are awarded to young scientists from developing countries (other than Thailand) to enable them to pursue advanced research in the biotechnology.
* BIOTEC will provide a standard monthly allowance which should be used to cover living costs, such as accommodation and food.
* The language of instruction is English.

Eligibility
Applicants for these fellowships must meet the following criteria:
* Be nationals of a developing country (other than Thailand).
* Hold a PhD degree in any of the following fields: molecular biology, molecular genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology and bioinformatics and related disciplines.
* Apply for the fellowship within five years of having obtained a PhD degree in the fields indicated above.
* Be regularly employed at a research and/or teaching institution in their home country where they must hold a research assignment.
* Provide an official Acceptance Letter from BIOTEC. Requests for acceptance must be directed to BIOTEC Research Unit Coordination Division (e-mail rucd [at] biotec.or.th) who will facilitate assignment of a host supervisor.
* Provide evidence of proficiency in English.

Fellowship Application Deadline: 15 September 2011

Further Fellowship Information and Application