Deadline: January 10, 2015
Innovative Metrics and Methods for Agriculture and Nutrition Actions (IMMANA) is a new five-year research partnership funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). It aims to accelerate the development of a robust and coherent scientific evidence base which will support effective policy and investments in agriculture-food systems for improved nutrition. The 12-month IMMANA Fellowships aim to create a cadre of emerging leaders in Agriculture, Nutrition, and Health research. These early career researchers will develop and adapt innovative methodological approaches with mentors in ongoing research programmes in LMICs.
Four annual rounds of six Fellowships each year will be delivered, with selection criteria based on the qualifications of the candidate, excellence of the project idea, commitment of two mentors and prospects for building careers and collaboration. It is anticipated that IMMANA Fellows will bring diverse perspectives to leadership in agriculture, nutrition, and health.
Fellowship
Through a competitive selection process, six Fellowships will be awarded . Each Fellowship will be provided for a 12 -month period and cannot be renewed. Each fellowship must also involve two mentors. During that period, Fellows will receive the following financial support:
- A fixed stipend of £34,000 (approximately $55,000) paid in quarterly installments against satisfactory completion of programme milestones.
- A research allowance of £7,500 to cover travel and other fieldwork expenses, also paid as lump sums for achievement of program milestones.
- An honorarium of £1,750 to each of the mentors paid in two installments at mid-term and end of the year, on submission of a satisfactory mentorship report.
Eligibility
- Candidate will have completed a doctoral degree (PhD, DPhil, DPH, MD, DVM or similar terminal degree) in any field related to agriculture, nutrition or health research and practice, and are seeking a career in research, education, and engagement at the intersection of two or more of these fields.
- Candidate should have no more than 3 years of post-PhD experience prior to their proposed Fellowship start date.
- Applicants must propose to conduct fieldwork or other research under the joint supervision of two mentors, one from the applicant’s current or previous employer or academic institution, and one from a host institution where the applicant proposes to advance their work.
- At least one of the two mentors must be physically located in Africa or Asia. The two mentors need not have equal roles in the project, but having both be involved should help accelerate research and sharing of ideas between the Fellow’s home and host environments.
- Selection will give preference to applicants who have research or faculty appointments in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, but applicants may be of any nationality and have earned their doctorate anywhere.
Application Process
- To confirm eligibility for this programme, please submit the following information in the text of an email to [email protected] with the words “IMMANA Fellowship concept memo” in the subject line.
- In the text of the email, list:
- Applicant’s full name, sex and nationality, with personal postal address, email and phone contact details.
- Applicant’s current employment or affiliation, with institutional address, email and phone contact details.
- Applicant’s educational history, listing all degrees earned by year and field, with titles of theses (if any).
- Proposed home mentor’s name and affiliation, with institutional address, email and phone contact details.
- Proposed host mentor’s name and affiliation, with institutional address, email and phone contact details.
- Proposed project abstract (max. 500 words), describing how you will work with the home and host mentors to develop and apply innovative metrics and methods for agriculture and nutrition actions. This abstract need not be detailed, and could be substantially revised in a later full proposal.
- Applications are submitted in a two-stage process, starting with a concept memo to confirm eligibility, followed by a full proposal detailing the project to be undertaken. Concept memos should be submitted as soon as possible to determine eligibility. Invitations to submit full proposals will be sent by return email thereafter.
- Applicants should also attach a CV or resume, in Word or PDF format.
- Applicants whose concept notes meet the criteria set out in this call for applications will be notified of their eligibility by return email, and invited to submit a full proposal. See Details of Proposal.
For more information, visit IMANNA Fellowships.
