Call for PhD Application: DAAD University of Abomey-Calavi Scholarship For Sub Saharan African

Published: 23 Oct 2024

The programme aims at fostering strong, internationally oriented higher education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa with the capacity to contribute to sustainable development. To this end, scholarships are granted for development-related Master or doctoral studies for individuals who plan to pursue a career in teaching and/or research at a higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.
By training future academic and professional leaders, the programme contributes to the following long-term impacts:

• Qualified professionals’ involvement in the solution of development-related problems in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Graduates strengthening education and research in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Structural strengthening and regional networking of partner institutions and partner universities

As part of this programme, the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences of the University of Abomey-Calavi offers a Master and a doctoral study programmes in biometrics, an area with strong relevance to national development of Sub-Saharan African countries

As part of the „In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme“, DAAD offers scholarships for PhD studies. The programme is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and designed primarily for university staff in the first line, whilst also catering to the public sector demand of academically trained personnel. The target group for scholarships is graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa with a Master’s degree if applying for a doctoral programme, who want to pursue PhD courses, either

•  in their home country (In-Country scholarships designed for students who study in their home country or in the country for which they have a residence permit.)
• in another Sub-Saharan Africa country

DAAD Postgraduate Scholarship

Benefits of DAAD Postgraduate Scholarship

• Tuition fees,
• Study and research allowance
• Printing allowance
• Monthly Scholarship (Accommodation, Food etc.)
• Travel allowance (In-Region only)
• Insurance

DAAD In-Country/In-Region scholarship holders are also encouraged to apply for a research stay in Germany for 3 up to 6 months.

The duration of the PhD programme is generally three (3) years and is usually starting in September 2025.

Please note that the maximum duration of the scholarship consists of the year you apply for, plus the time left to the end of the regular period of studies in that programme. For example, if you apply for a DAAD scholarship starting in your second year of studies of a three-year programme, the maximum duration of the scholarship will be two years. The standard period of study and the start date are based on the Affiliate Agreement between the host university and the DAAD. Please note: if you arrive later, the duration of your scholarship will be shortened accordingly

DAAD In-Country/In-Region scholarship holders in the framework of PhD programmes are also encouraged to apply for a short-term research stay in Germany for 3 up to 6 months.

The short-term research scholarship includes:

• A monthly scholarship payment for living costs
• Health/accident/personal liability insurance
• A flat-rate travel allowance

Requirements for DAAD Postgraduate Scholarship

Applicants for a PhD degree

• Postgraduates with a first academic degree, who have successfully completed a two-year university Master’s degree (or equivalent) with above average results (at least: Second Class/Upper Division or equivalent, if applicable) Candidates who cannot provide a Second Class/Upper Division or a higher result are not eligible;
• Clearly show motivation and strong commitment;
• Have thorough knowledge of the language of instruction;
• Have completed their last university degree not more than 6 years ago at the time of application;
• Must be nationals or permanent residents of a Sub-Saharan African country;
• Should be a) staff member of a public university, b) or a candidate considered for teaching or research staff recruitment, c) or from the public sector and/or d) Alumni of the DAFI-programme. Fresh graduates, professionals and other candidates who do not fit in the above- mentioned areas are also invited to apply for the programme.

Female applicants, refugees with recognised refugee status and candidates from other less privileged regions or groups are especially encouraged to participate in the programme. Scholarships for PhD studies are initially granted for one year and can be extended to a maximum of the regular period of study upon receipt of an application for extension. Scholars must demonstrate satisfactory progress before an extension is granted.

Please note: If you have already received a scholarship for PhD studies from the DAAD, further PhD funding from the DAAD is not possible. Please note: University of Abomey-Calavi might have additional requirements for admission to the university.

Application Documents

• Cover letter of application to the Director of the doctoral school of agronomic and water sciences
• Motivation letter to the Coordinator of the doctoral training in Biometrics
• Concept note of the research project (not more than 10 pages) from the applicant/candidate
• CV of the applicant including if possible a list of scientific publications
• Copy of official academic transcripts of the applicant, for the Master in Biostatistics/biometrics and for the Bachelor. Please supply the official explanation of the grading system.
• Copy of certificates for the Master in Biostatistics/biometrics and for the Bachelor
• Letter of support from a lecturer-researcher

Application Deadline

November 21, 2024

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) on mydaad.b2clogin.com to apply