Postdocs for Engineering, Social Sciences and the Humanities in Africa

Postdoc Fellowships for Seven Engineering Scientists

Bio-composite materials made from rice or coffee husks, drying methods for cereal or low-cost sensors for soil and water management - young engineering scientists from Africa presented a wide range of fascinating projects at a meeting in Nairobi (Kenya) on April 26 to 29, 2015. The junior researchers had applied for a postdoctoral position in late 2014 and represented different disciplines: from agricultural technology, energy, food technology, logistics, or the water and sanitation sector to information and communications technology. The Volkswagen Foundation had called about half of the original 31 candidates to present their proposals at the conference, which took place at the "

International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology" (ICIPE). In addition to the presentations, the 15 young scientists had the opportunity to discuss their ideas with the international panel of experts in personal interviews. Seven postdocs received a fellowship. Two of them were already funded by the Foundation since 2011 and now receive follow-up support.

14 New Postdoctoral Fellows from the Social Sciences

In early March 2015, young social scientists from Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Cameroon, Sudan and Côte d'Ivoire presented their project ideas at a meeting at the "

Mbarara University of Science and Technology" in Uganda. An international panel of experts had selected the 20 candidates from a total of 68 submitted project outlines. 14 of them, including postdoctoral fellows in economics, political science, sociology and social anthropology, received a three-year funding. Four of the new fellows had managed to obtain follow-up financing for another three years by the Volkswagen Foundation after their previous three-year funding.

Current Call: Postdoctoral Fellowships in the Humanities

The current

Call for pre-proposals for postdoctoral fellowships in the humanities in sub-Saharan and North Africa ​​is aimed at young post-doctoral researchers that carry out research in Sub-Saharan Africa or in North Africa or want to return there for their research. Project outlines can be submitted from all disciplines of the humanities, including history, culture and art history, archeology, philosophy, literature, cultural studies, linguistics, musicology, media studies, visual studies or religious studies, for example. Deadline for application is October 1, 2015.

Background: The Funding Initiative "Knowledge for Tomorrow - Cooperative Research Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa"

With this initiative, the Volkswagen Foundation aims at extending and strengthening research in the regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. For more information, please see "

Sub-Saharan Africa".