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MRC/DFID African Research Leader Scheme 2020

The Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID) is pleased to inform the University community that the UK Medical Research Council and the UK Department for International Development are inviting proposals for the prestigious African Research Leader awards. This MRC/ DFID jointly funded scheme aims to strengthen research leadership across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by attracting and retaining exceptionally talented individuals who will lead high quality programmes of research on key global health issues pertinent to SSA. The African Research Leader (ARL; PI) should be supported by an enthusiastic local research environment and by a strong linkage with a UK partner (i.e. the UK Co-Investigator; Co-I).

Eligibility

  • The ARL scheme seeks to support African researchers already based in sub-Saharan African countries and those individuals currently working overseas who wish to return to SSA.
  • The focus of the scheme is on ‘rising star’ African Research Leaders. Candidates will be high-calibre, early-to-mid career researchers, who show clear ability to cultivate a dynamic and innovative research group, likely to attract increasing international recognition and external funding by the end of the award.
  • The African candidate will have completed a PhD, will be well-qualified for academic research having spent at least the last 3 years in active research, be building a track record of independence in their selected field and demonstrating promise as a future research leader.
  • Outstanding ARL candidates who do not have a PhD but who are educated to Master's level and have substantial research experience, as evidenced by their publication record, may also be considered in exceptional circumstances.
  • Applications from women are particularly encouraged. Candidates wishing to combine their research with domestic responsibilities may seek the award on a part-time basis.
  • As a ‘rising star’ the African candidate will hold an established academic position in an African research institution, be developing a research team and be undertaking original research. This may be evidenced through a growing track record of staff and student supervision; through an expanding portfolio of lead author publications, by securing local or national funding and by attracting recognition through prizes and awards.
  • Researchers who already have a well-established record of securing significant international research grant funding or have reached a level of seniority e.g. professor or head of department should not apply to this scheme.
  • If a candidate is returning to work in SSA they are expected to make their own arrangements for obtaining a tenured academic position in an eligible African research institution if one is not already held (and should be in post by the start of any award).

NB: MRC/DFID aim to foster research leadership in a breadth of academic environments; it is therefore unlikely that several awards will be made to any one institution in a single call.

Amount:

Awards will provide support for up to 5 years and the MRC Contribution should not exceed £750,000 in total

Closing date:

The closing date for this call is 8 Sep 2020 16:00 GMT+1.

For further details of this call, kindly visit https://mrc.ukri.org/funding/browse/mrc-dfid-arl-2020/mrc-dfid-african-r...