The RUFORUM Blog

I. About the Call

The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) Secretariat is pleased to announce a call for PhD scholarships available through the German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD) funding support. These scholarships are targeting both in-country/in-region (sub-Saharan Africa) applicants to support selected RUFORUM regional PhD Programmes in the Eastern and Central Africa (ECA). The scholarships are tenable for the 2018/19 academic period. DAAD promotes international academic exchange as well as educational cooperation with developing countries through various funding and scholarship programmes. The PhD training programmes will commence in September 2018; therefore, only candidates available to start the PhD training this September 2018 need to apply.

II. List of Eligible Programmes/ Study fields

The call is open to students who are interested/ registered in the following programmes:

• PhD in Life Sciences at Nelson Mandela African Institution of Sciences and Technology – Tanzania (2 in-region)
• PhD in Food Science and Nutrition at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology – Kenya (1 in-region & 1 in-country)
• PhD in Plant Breeding & Biotechnology – Makerere University, Uganda(1 in-region & 1 in-country);
• PhD Agricultural and Rural Innovations at Makerere University, Uganda (1 in-region & 1 in- country)

Applications are invited from qualified candidates in relevant disciplines (the last university degree (MSc) must have been completed less than six years ago at the time of application) from Sub Saharan Africa.  Female applicants, candidates from less privileged regions or groups as well as candidates with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

III. Duration and commencement

The PhD Scholarships are available for a period of three years beginning in September 2018. The scholarships will be initially granted for one year and may be extended upon individual student request and receipt of a complete application by using the attached form provided by DAAD secretariat.

IV. Application Requirements

1. A filled and signed DAAD Application Form for In-Country/In-Region Scholarships
2. A signed curriculum vitae; please use the Europass CV template (http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu)
3. A signed copy of this DAAD Information Sheet for Students
4. Certified copies of all university degree certificates
5. Certified copies of all university transcripts
6. At least temporary admission letter including fee structure of respective course (original or certified copy only), or an official letter assuring admission
7. A Ph.D. research proposal (which should outline; the research area (background, rationale, objectives of the proposed research, proposed Methodology, and expected Results) and a detailed work plan (10 to 15 pages); plagiarism will be checked by the host university!
8. An abstract of the proposal on one page (please include name and title of proposal)
9. A recommendation letter by head of department indicating that you are a member or prospective member of staff and how you will be integrated into the staff development agenda of the university.
10. Confirmation of study leave from your university (if applicable)
11. Confirmation of teaching release (university staff members only)
12. A letter from the applicant confirming availability to start PhD studies in September 2016 at the host university

V. Application Timelines

1. All applications must be received by end of day on 8^th February 2018
2. Pre- scholarship selection will be completed by 14^th February 2018
3. Final selection of scholarships will be carried out by May 2018

 VI. Application Procedure

1. Candidates must apply online for scholarships via the online RUFORUM Information Management System (RIMS): http://rims.ruforum.org/ [See Section VII below – How to apply for a scholarship via RIMS]
2. In addition to the application documents requested, all applicants must send in the soft copies of the application and filled DAAD application form to DAAD through applications@daadafrica.org [See VIII Sending the application package to DAAD]
3. Candidates should attach copies of the completed host university application documents or admission letter if already admitted [See IX How to download the host university application forms]
4. For any urgent inquiries please email chindime@ruforum.org & bonface@daadafrica.org with a copy to m.akello@ruforum.org

VII. How to apply for a scholarship via RIMS

How to create an account in RIMS

1. Open this website link: http://rims.ruforum.org/
2. If you dont have an account you will be asked to register here: http://rims.ruforum.org/contacts/register/
3. After registering successfully you will be taken to your dashboard. What you see on your dashboard depends on the permissions that you have been assigned by the RIMS Administrator.
4. For most members of the RUFORUM network we have captured your emails in RIMS. So the system might tell you that your account already exists. If this is the case then follow the steps related to resetting your password / forgotten your password

What to do if you have forgotten your password or need to reset your password

1. Open this website link: http://rims.ruforum.org/
2. Instead of logging on Click “Forgot Password”
3. You will be asked to enter your email address and then click reset password
4. The link to enable you reset your password will be sent to your email address. Please also check for this link in your spam folder in case it is delivered to your spam. Follow the instructions to reset your password
5. Use your email and the new password to log into RIMS
6. After successfully logging on you will be taken to your dashboard. What you see on your dashboard depends on the permissions that you have been assigned by the RIMS Administrator

How to log on if you have an existing account

1. Open this website link: http://rims.ruforum.org/
2. Click to log into RIMS by entering your email as the username and your password

After successfully logging on you will be taken to your dashboard. What you see on your dashboard depends on the permissions that you have been assigned by the RIMS Administrator.

How to submit a scholarship application via RIMS

1. After successfully logging on click ‘Apply for a Scholarship’
2. Choose correct call ID which is DAAD/PhD/2018
3. Complete the online application form

 VIII. Sending the application package to DAAD

1. Fill and sign the DAAD Application Form for In-Country/In-Region Scholarships. Download the form from here
2. Download the Europass CV template from http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu and complete it
3. Download and sign the DAAD Information Sheet for Students from here
4. Include certified copies of all university degree certificates
5. Include certified copies of all university transcripts
6. Include at least temporary admission letter including fee structure of respective course (original or certified copy only), or an official letter assuring admission. Download the relevant university application forms from here
7. Include a Ph.D. research proposal (which should outline; the research area (background, rationale, objectives of the proposed research, proposed Methodology, and expected Results) and a detailed work plan (10 to 15 pages); plagiarism will be checked by the host university!
8. Include an abstract of the proposal on one page (please include name and title of proposal)
9. Include a recommendation letter by head of department indicating that you are a member or prospective member of staff and how you will be integrated into the staff development agenda of the university.
10. Include confirmation of study leave from your university (if applicable)
11. Include confirmation of teaching release (university staff members only)
12. Include a letter from you (the applicant) confirming availability to start PhD studies in September 2015 at the host university
13. Email: applications@daadafrica.org

 IX. How to download the host university application forms

1. The university applications forms relevant to this call are:
   1. JKUAT Application forms
   2. Makerere Univ Post graduate application form and Makerere Referee Form
   3. Nelson Mandela – Application form
2. Download the form for the university that you are applying to and submit the form directly to that  university

see www.ruforum.org for details