Deadline: January 1, 2019.
Crick African Network’s African Career Accelerator (CAN ACA) awards is open for applications. The CAN ACA awards will provide Fellowship support for African Post-Doctoral researchers (or non-African citizens with permanent residency status) who are 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/stipend, visa costs and research expenses to implement the research. The Fellowships will be undertaken in not less than 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. The remainder of the fellowship could be spent at the Crick, the African partner institution, or a third institution situated in Africa.
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.
Research Areas
The scope of the research themes which can be undertaken as part of this Award can be defined as a biomedical study of infectious diseases of poverty, with an emphasis on Tuberculosis, Malaria and HIV/AIDS, but also extending to neglected tropical diseases or non-communicable diseases with an infection component.
Clinical research is possible, but will have to be discussed specifically with potential supervisors/ advisors and institutions to confirm whether resources are available to support the research. It will not normally be possible to conduct clinical research whilst in the UK.
Epidemiological or social science research on the above themes are considered out of scope.
Funding
- It is expected that approximately six fellowships will be awarded in this round, each with a value of up to £145,000.
- 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 equipment, with a single item up to a value of £10,000, and a total budget of £20,000.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be a citizen or have permanent residency status 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
- The Expression of Interest Form is a mandatory stage
- Deadline for Expression of Interest is 1 January 2019
- Deadline for full applications is 1 February 2019, 16:00 GMT
To apply, applicants must first submit a mandatory Expression of Interest form, and read the Guidance Notes for Expression of Interest form.
For more information, visit Crick African Network.
