Deadline: August 30, 2022.

Applications are invited to apply for Queen Elizabeth Scholars-West Africa 2023 in Ghana. The Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) program has funded NetInks, a McGill University, University of Ghana, Universite Joseph KI-ZERBO program to strengthen the capacity of researchers who work with farmers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and local institutions to develop solutions to enhance equity and sustainable inclusive growth in rural communities. Their team works with private and public institutions to

1. improve inter-institutional coordination of services,
2. enhance women’s access to financial, technical, and health services,
3. increase women’s leadership opportunities and decision-making in businesses and communities,
4. augment women’s voices in communities and with institutions, and
5. decrease gender inequities.

ELIGIBILE COUNTRIES

• Canadian Citizens
• African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Malt Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo.

OTHER ELIGIBILITIES

Three types of applicants are being recruited to apply for Queen Elizabeth Scholars-West Africa 2023 in Ghana:

• All-but-dissertation (ABD) doctoral student (completed coursework and PhD qualifying exams).
• Postdoctoral researcher (PhD, conducting research under mentorship of a principal investigator).
• Early career researcher (PhD, independent researcher who has led her/his own laboratory or research project for 4-7 years or is in a tenure-track position).
• Citizen of one of the eligible African countries’ or Canadian citizen.
• Able to commit to a 5-week on-site training in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The program Is expected to start in late January 2023.
• Meets all health entry requirements for Ghana, including yellow fever and COVID-19 vaccinations. All international and in-country travel, accommodations, and meals will be paid directly by the program. Personal expenses related to visas, vaccines, COVID-19 testing, and airport transfers will be reimbursed in Ghana. The program does not provide stipends or salary compensation.
• Language requirements: Francophones: have adequate English language skills; Anglophones: applicants with French language skills will be prioritized.

APPLICATION

Applicants should click or copy this link and paste it on a new tab:  in order to access and fill in the Queen Elizabeth Scholars-West Africa 2023 Application Form by 23h59 GMT, 30th August 2022 for all eligible African countries and 23h59 EDT ,15th September for Canadians. This call will remain open until the award positions are filled. Before you begin the application, ensure you have the following documents in one pdf file.

1. Maximum one-page statement on your interest in community development/ entrepreneurship/ gender equity.
2. Maximum one-page statement of the value of the proposed training for your career.
3. Current curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages).
4. Letter of support from supervisor (doctoral, post-doctoral) or department chair (early career) Applicants from West Africa should obtain the letter of support from their supervisor early (by end of July) since most university officials will be on Vacation in August.
5. Language ability: Francophones: confirmation statement On English) of level of English knowledge and ability to communicate in English. Anglophones: confirmation statement (in French) of level of French knowledge and ability to communicate in French – if none please state this in English.

OFFICIAL LINK