Deadline: July 1, 2018
The Crick African Network invites applications for the African Career Accelerator Awards. The Crick African Network’s African Career Accelerator (CAN ACA) awards will provide Fellowship support for African Post-Doctoral researchers aiming to make the transition to becoming an independent researcher and launching their own research group.
The CAN ACA awards will invest in early-career researchers who have demonstrated strong scientific and leadership potential, as well as a commitment to continuing their research on the African continent. Fellowships are for a duration of up to two years, and may include personal salary, visa costs and research expenses to implement the research.
The Fellowships will be undertaken in two locations:
- The Francis Crick Institute (‘the Crick’, UK) and at
- One of the five African partner institutions:
- The University of Ghana (Ghana)
- Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
- University of Cape Town (South Africa)
- MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM (The Gambia) and
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit.
Fellows will spend at least six months in each location, although this can be accumulated in more than one visit. It is expected that up to six fellowships will be awarded in this round, each with a value of up to approximately £130,000. Provision has been made to cover costs of travel for both relocation and conferences, as well as research related costs for consumables. Each fellowship also includes the option of the purchase of up to two pieces of equipment, each up to a value of £10,000.
Fellows will be supported by two supervisors/advisors: one each from the Crick and the chosen African partner institution, as well as having the option of support from one of the 14 Crick Science Technology Platforms (STP) which specialize in specific techniques and technologies.
In addition to conducting the proposed research programme, Fellows will participate in advanced training which will provide the skills and competencies to make the transition to becoming an independent research leader on the African continent. To facilitate this, Fellows will be supported to submit a research grant proposal to major international funders in order to be able to continue their work after the end of the Fellowship.
This call is made possible by funding from the UK’s Global Challenges Research Fund.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be a citizen of one of the 55 African nations, as defined by the African Union.
- Applicants will also have a PhD and have no more than 6 years’ post-doctoral research experience (with allowances for legitimate career breaks) but more than 2 years’ post-doctoral experience unless the applicant has an outstanding track record, supported by publication and employment history.
- Competitive applicants will have a strong track record of research.
- They will have a PhD, and have progressed to a postdoctoral role through which they are on a demonstrable path to independence.
- Prior experience of applying for grant funding is desirable but not required. Neither is it essential to currently be employed on the African continent, but applications should demonstrate the applicant’s desire to establish themselves as an independent researcher on the African continent.
Application
To apply, applicants must first submit a mandatory Expression of Interest form (see Guidance Notes for Expression of Interest form) by emailing it to [email protected].
- The Expression of Interest form will be available between Monday 23rd April 2018 and 23:59 GMT on the 1st July 2018.
- Eligible applicants will be provided with the link to the online application portal which opens on 23rd May 2018 and closes at 23:59 GMT on 1st August 2018.
- Applicants successful at the full application stage will be invited to interview. Interviews will take place during September 2018.
- The outcome of applications will be announced on 1st October 2018.
Download the Expression of Interest form. Also see the Guidance for the expression of interest form
For more information, visit African Career Accelerator Awards.
