The new initiative supports talented young African researchers and connects them with world-class academics and leading researchers at the University of Helsinki.
The University of Helsinki opens a call on April 5, 2022. It is intended for early career researchers working in a higher education institution in Africa. The programme offers monthly grants of 3400 € for a 4-10 month stay at the University of Helsinki.
This new programme is a part of the University of Helsinki's Africa programme 2021-2030. With a budget of 500.000 € spanning three years, the goal is to increase engagement with Africa and support new ambitious ideas for research and education collaboration.
Sustainability is at the heart of the programme; thus linking it to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals: All applications must have a link to one, or several SDGs.
New research projects, joint publications and teaching plans, collaborative MOOCs
The programme will build on and strengthen the ties between University of Helsinki researchers and its African partners. The early career researchers must have a connection to a Principal Investigator (PI) working at the University of Helsinki with whom new collaboration will be planned. The application will be written jointly and is submitted by the University of Helsinki PI.
- To increase mobility and create new partnerships are principal goals of the University's Africa Programme. I am delighted that we are able to open this programme, which I hope will attract great interest, says Hanna Snellman, Vice Rector at the University of Helsinki, and in charge of the programme.
- But while institutional links are important, ultimately it is people who matter. This programme supports the creation of a network between our brilliant researchers and their key partners in Africa, and it will have a long-lasting impact. I can hardly wait to see what kind of new research projects, joint publications, collaborative MOOCs, joint teaching plans and other exciting initiatives we will see in the forthcoming years, Snellman adds.
The programme is a three-year pilot program. The following calls will open in April 2023 and April 2024.
- We are now launching a first call. It will be exciting to see the outcomes. Based on the feedback and the experience we will get, we will continue to develop the programme further, says Programme Manager Anna-Maria Salmi.
- During last year, we have seen many remarkable new collaborations emerging with Africa. This is a great addition to our collective efforts, she concludes.
The call will end on April 28 at 16.00 EEST.
