INVITATION TO APPLY FOR RESEARCH GRANT

Call for Applications Release: 14th June 2021

Background

The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in partnership with the African Research Universities Alliance
(ARUA) has provided financial support for the implementation of a capacity-building project. The
project is implemented in collaboration with Haramaya University, University of Obafemi Awolowo Ile-
Ife, Protestant University of Central Africa, University of Hargeisa, Africa University and Addis Ababa
University.

Objectives

The objective of the project is to develop research capacity in all collaborating universities by
supporting PhD students, and post-doc peace researchers in their research projects. To this end, the
project will provide financial support and training that will help researchers to improve their research
capacities; and create opportunities and platforms for researchers to expand their researches and
network through workshops aimed at strengthening skills and knowledge, which enables them to
disseminate research findings to continental and international audiences. The project has, accordingly,
unveiled an attractive research grant to early stage researchers of Addis Ababa University who are
pursuing a PhD degree or Post-doc research. The general objective of the research should be geared
towards understanding blockages to peace and should specifically focus on:

(i.) Understanding why effective accountable and inclusive institutions have not been built in
conflict-affected or post-conflict societies;
(ii.) The dynamics of blockages to peace construction with a primary focus on factors, actors,
internal and external dynamics, including the reasons for not implementing peace deals;
(iii.) Factors that hinder peace at the local, national and regional (the Horn of Africa) levels.

Requirements

An applicant should be an early stage researcher of Addis Ababa University pursuing a PhD degree or
Post-doc study in any given field of social sciences.

How to Apply

An application should include:

1. Copy of valid staff or student identification card and current registration slip;
2. Letter of intent;
3. Letter of recommendation by advisor or dean;

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 4. Application document detailing (i.) specific aims of the research; (ii.) research strategy including
the significance of the research, its innovativeness, the approach to be employed and
preliminary data, if applicable, study overview, research experience of the researcher, and
research design and method; (iii.) literature cited.

The application will be evaluated based on the following criteria.

1. Research method and plan (50% scoring weight)

2. Expected impact of the research (20% scoring weight)
3. Possible collaborations for the research (15% scoring weight)
4. Expertise and capacity of the researcher (15% scoring weight)

The completed application should be emailed to research@ipss-addis.org before 30th June 2021.