West African Research Association Travel Grant Program 2018

Deadline: March 15, 2018

Applications are currently open for the Spring 2018 cycle of West African Research Association (WARC) Travel Grant Program. The WARC Travel Grant promotes intra-African cooperation and exchange among researchers and institutions by providing support to African scholars and graduate students for research visits to other institutions on the continent.

The West African Research Association works to invest in the upcoming generation of intellectual leaders in West Africa. Funding for the WARC Travel Grant Program is provided by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State through a grant from the Council of American Overseas Research Centers.

The WARC Travel Grant provides travel costs up to $1,500 and a stipend of $1,500. This competition is open only to West African nationals, with preference given to those affiliated with West African colleges, universities, or research institutions.

Travel grant funds may be used to:

1. attend and present papers at academic conferences relevant to the applicant’s field of research;
2. visit libraries or archives that contain resources necessary to the applicant’s current academic work;
3. engage in collaborative work with colleagues at another institution;
4. travel to a research site.

Grant

• The WARC Travel Grant provides travel costs up to $1,500 and a stipend of $1,500.

Eligibility

• This competition is open only to West African nationals
• Preference will be given to those affiliated with West African colleges, universities, or research institutions.

Requirements

Successful candidates must agree to make public presentations on their research to

1. their academic institution, and
2. their local communities.

Moreover, successful candidates will submit to the WARC Library in Dakar one copy of their dissertation/thesis, articles, and other publications arising from the research funded through this grant.

Application

Complete applications will include uploaded word, pdf, or jpgs of all of the documents listed below. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• A brief (50-80 word) abstract of the activity to be funded, beginning with a clear statement of purpose;
• A description (6 double-spaced pages maximum) of the applicant’s research and how the proposed travel is relevant to this work. This should be presented in language understandable to non-specialist readers;
• A curriculum vitae with research and teaching record when relevant;
• If attending a conference, an abstract of the paper to be read and a letter of acceptance to the conference;
• If visiting another institution, an invitation from host institution;
• If travel is to consult archives or other materials, a description of the collections to be consulted and their significance to the applicant’s research;
• For graduate students, a letter of recommendation by the professor overseeing their research;
• Proof of citizenship in the form of a photocopy of the applicant’s passport (please note: this competition is open only to West African nationals eligible for non-immigrant visas to the U.S.).

All applications must be submitted online.

For more information, visit WARC Travel Grant.