The Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) PhD Scholarship (2023)
The Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET) is an African-led initiative that aims to strengthen skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology in order to accelerate socioeconomic transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). PASET’s flagship initiative is the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif). RSIF focuses on disruptive technologies with far-reaching positive social impact. It is supported by African countries, the World Bank, and the Korean government, and is facilitated through the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Nairobi, Kenya.
RSIF aims to train quality Ph.D. students and post-doctoral researchers to address the human resource gap of highly qualified specialists in the fields of applied sciences, engineering, and technology (ASET) and to contribute to improving research and innovation capacities in those fields in SSA. RSIF also supports the strengthening of research and innovation ecosystems at selected African Host Universities (AHU) by providing funding through competitive grants. RSIF supports training, research, and innovation in five Priority Thematic Areas:
(1) ICT including big data and artificial intelligence,
(2) Food security and agri-business,
(3) Minerals, mining, and materials engineering,
(4) Energy including renewables and
(5) Climate change.
The specific objectives of RSIF are to:
- Create a stock of highly skilled scientists, professionals, and innovators in ASET areas.
- Identify and nurture young talented Africans who wish to further their studies in ASET fields where expertise is needed most.
- Address imbalances in the number of women and disadvantaged groups in ASET fields in Africa.
- Build African university capacity to provide relevant ASET training and to ensure continued investment in scaling up ASET education and workforce.
The duration of the Ph.D. scholarship is 3 to 4 years, including 6-12 months in a ‘sandwich’ training placement at an international partner university, research institute, or private company. Priority for the scholarships will be given to women and existing young academic faculty who do not have PhDs. The Rsif scholarships will be awarded in July 2023.
Regional Scholarship Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the Rsif Ph.D. Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of Rwanda and Nigeria.
- Have a relevant master’s degree in one of the fields of study.
- Meet the specific admission requirements of the Rsif African Host University where they would like to pursue a PhD.
- Preference will be given to applicants who are 35 years of age and below.
- Be willing to enroll full-time in a Ph.D. program at an RSIF AHU in the 2023-2024 academic year.
- Should not be holding another Ph.D. scholarship when applying to the Rsif Ph.D. scholarship.
- Be willing to spend 6-12 months in a ‘sandwich’ training at an international partner university, research institute, or private company.
- Demonstrate that their research goals are well aligned to the Rsif Priority Thematic Areas and contribute to Africa’s development.
Regional Scholarship Benefits
RSIF Ph.D. Scholars will receive the following benefits:
- The Rsif Ph.D. Scholarship covers university tuition and related fees, a competitive stipend to cover living expenses, travel, medical insurance, and research costs.
- RSIF Ph.D. scholars will be supported to spend 6 -12 months in a ‘sandwich’ training at an international partner university, research institute or private company.
- RSIF Ph.D. scholars become part of a growing network of emerging leaders in ASET fields in SSA.
- Rsif Ph.D. scholars will have access to Rsif competitive research grants upon completion of their PhD.
Application Deadline:
- Deadline for applications: 26 May 2023 at 5:00 pm (East Africa Time; UTC+3)
Please address any questions to: The Manager, Regional Coordination Unit (RCU), icipe Rsifscholarships@icipe.org.
The Scholarship benefits are subject to change based on the discretion of the PASET Executive Board
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Rsif Ph.D. Scholarships
