The scholarship option is open to PhD students from countries classified by the OECD/DAC as low and lower-middle income countries in Africa whose studies, irrespective of sectoral discipline, focus on the relationship between innovation and economic, social or and environmentally sustainable development. Female PhD students and students from low-income countries are particularly encouraged to apply as AfricaLics endeavours to contribute to increasing the currently low number of female scholars and low-income countries scholars in Innovation and Development research studies in Africa. The programme gives priority to students working on topics related to the research themes identified by the AfricaLics network as important to the future of Africa.
About the programme
The aim of the AfricaLics Visiting Fellowship Programme is to help African PhD students working in the field of Innovation and Development to strengthen their academic/research qualifications; improve quality of their dissertations and prepare for a career in innovation and development either within academia or outside (e.g. in the private sector or in government/policy making).
The AfricaLics Visiting PhD Fellowship programme was initiated in 2015 as a pilot programme under the AfricaLics Research Capacity Building Programme with funding from the Swedish development cooperation (Sida). During Phase I (2011-2016) and Phase II (2017-2023) 23 visiting fellows visited Aalborg University in Denmark as part of the programme. From 2022 onwards, the AfricaLics VFP will be hosted by African universities active in the field of Innovation and Development studies. Hence the six scholars from the 2022 cohort were hosted by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Kenya, while the 2023 cohort will be hosted by University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa.
2024 Cohort
4 PhD students were selected for 2024 cohort. Amongst the four students, Two are from Ethiopia, one from Kenya and one from Uganda.
Haramaya University, Ethiopia
PhD Research Title
The Role of Indigenous Informal Local institutions in enhancing Social Capital for Adoption of Agricultural innovation: A special emphasis in Ethiopia
Makerere University, Uganda
PhD Research Title
Firm Innovation Behaviour and Performance
Adama Science and Technology University, Ethiopia
PhD Research Title
Research and Development(R&D), Innovation and Performance of Enterprises in the Case of Resource-rich Developing Country: Evidence from Ethiopia
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Kenya
PhD Research Title
Galvanizing System Change Through Youth-Led Digital Innovation: The Case Of Kenya
2023 Cohort
The call for 2023 cohort went out in September 2022 and we received 72 applications. Sixteen applicants were shortlisted for interviews and six applicants, four female and two male we selected by a committee comprising members of the AfricaLics Scientific Board and the AfricaLics secretariat. Amongst the six students, one is from Ethiopia, one from Cameroon, two from Kenya and one from Ghana .
Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
PhD Research Title
Dynamics of Gender and Technology in the Cashew Nut Value; Chain in Southwestern Nigeria at Obafemi Awolowo University.
University of Gondar, Ethiopia
PhD Research Title
Business model innovation and firm performance: Moderating role of environmental dynamism at University of Gondar.
University of Yaounde, Cameroon
PhD Research Title
The macroeconomic effects of financial development on sources of innovation in Africa at University of Yaounde.
University of Ghana.
PhD Research Title
Commercializing agri-innovations in Ghanaian Universities for sustainable Agribusinesses at University of Ghana.
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Kenya
PhD Research Title
An Agricultural Biotechnology Technological Innovation System (ABTIS): Build-up, Actors & Dynamics.
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Kenya
PhD Research Title
Transformative Innovation: Investigating the coevolution of grid and off-grid electricity system.