Mobility in Innovative Green Technologies for Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Bioeconomy (INTERACT-Africa)

Background
INTERACT-Africa is an Intra-Africa Academic mobility project funded by the European Union (EU). The project focuses on Chemistry, Biology and Information Technology, with emphasis on conversion of organic waste to valuable bioproducts for transitioning into environmental sustainable and socially inclusive economies.

INTERACT-Africa aims at:

1. Promoting inclusive learning mobility opportunities by enhancing capacity building of HEIs by focusing on training and education in green Chemistry, Biology and Information Technology aimed at developing a skilled workforce capable of implementing sustainable practices
2. Fostering entrepreneurship and support the establishment of green technology businesses in Africa by providing mentorship, access to funding, and technical support to aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups working in the field of green Chemistry, Biology and Information technology
3. Facilitating networking and knowledge sharing among businesses to promote innovation and sustainable economic growth through provision of internships, cooperative education programs, and hands-on learning opportunities.

Number of Scholarships and study period
INTERACT-Africa is offering 28 postgraduate scholarships for the degree seeking mobility. 5 scholarships for the PhD and 23 for Masters programmes.

• For PhD students, the maximum duration of a scholarship is 36 months.
• For MSc students, the maximum duration of a scholarship is 24 months.

The scholarships will be offered to regional students on a competitive basis. Female, disadvantaged, marginalized groups and candidates with special needs are encouraged to apply.

Scholarship programmes and host institutions

Scholarship Eligibility criteria

• The candidate must meet minimum requirement for admission into Masters and PhD programmes as stipulated by the host University Senate/regulating body.
• Provide proof that the candidate is a national of and residence of an eligible country.
• Student beneficiaries must be of African nationality and residing in Africa at the time of application.
• All interested candidates must submit a research concept paper in the intended area of study (1 page, Times New Roman, single spacing).
• Applicants will not be allowed to participate in the mobility without an admission letter from the
  host university.
• Applicants to declare not to have already benefited from a previous student scholarship under the projects selected in the framework of the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme 2022-2027.
• Applicants to commit not to benefit from another EU funded scholarship scheme to implement the same activity during their Intra-Africa mobility period.
• Provide motivation letter reflecting innovative technologies in climate change and mitigation.
• Recommendation letters and/ reference letters (two). One from an academic advisor or professor/lecturer.
• Applicant must be willing to study not in his/her country but within the eligible countries
• Provide proof of Special needs where applicable
• Applicants from Non – – English level B2 Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) or its equivalent is mandatory to study in the institutions that use English as the language of instruction.
• To study at Institut Facultaire Des Sciences Agronomiques De Yangambi (IFA-YANGAMBI), French level B2 or its equivalent is mandatory

Funding provided by the European Union through the Intra-Africa for the scholarship holders

• Tuition fees and research costs for the duration of the study.
• Comprehensive health and accident insurance cover
• Monthly stipend/allowance of Euro 1,230 per month for PhD and 890 per month for the Masters.

1. 1. PhD students will receive a monthly stipend of 1230 Euros. This also includes (1) travel cost to and from the host institution, (2) Visa costs, and (3) settling allowance.
   2. MSc students will receive a monthly stipend of 890 Euros. This also includes (1) travel cost to and from the host institution, (2) Visa costs, and (3) settling allowance.

Target beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of the scholarship are categorized into two target groups (TGs).

1. TG-I include students registered/admitted in one or having obtained a higher education degree from one of the African Universities included in the INTERACT-Africa project partnership, i.e., Moi University (Kenya), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (Uganda), Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania), Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia) and Institut Facultaire Des Sciences Agronomiques De Yangambi (Democratic Republic of Congo).
2. TG-II includes students registered/admitted in one or having obtained a higher education degree from a university established in Africa BUT not included in the partnership, with priority being given to students from conflict-affected and disadvantaged countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Sudan, Somalia, Mozambique and Algeria.
3. Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Language of instruction

1. The language of instruction varies with the project hosting institution/country i.e.,
   English for Moi University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Addis Ababa University
   and Sokoine University of Agriculture.
2. French for Institut Facultaire Des Sciences Agronomiques De Yangambi (IFA-Yangambi) University

Admission links to the University

How to apply for the scholarship

Eligible candidates interested in these programmes are invited fill the online scholarship application form using the link https://form.jotform.com/241243838123048
For more information visit https://interactafrica.mu.ac.ke/. Note that each applicant is advised to apply concurrently to the host University for admission. The scholarships will only be awarded
to candidates with admission letters from the host university.

Application deadline

The programmes are scheduled to start in August/September/October 2024. The deadline for application is 23rd June, 2024 EAT by midnight. Motivational letters should be addressed to: Lead Coordinator, INTERACT-Africa Project, Moi University, P.O. Box 3900, Eldoret, Kenya, interact-africa2023@mu.ac.ke

Contacts for further Enquiries

For any other clarification or guidance required kindly contact the following.

• Dr. Jacqueline Makatiani, Lead Coordinator, INTERACT-Africa Project, Moi University (Kenya) interact-africa2023@mu.ac.ke or jkmakatiani@gmail.com
• Dr. Raphael Wangalwa, Project Coordinator, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (Uganda), wangarapha@must.ac.ug
• Prof. Faith Mabiki, Project Coordinator, Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania), fmabiki@sua.ac.tz, fmabiki@gmail.com
• Prof. Feleke Zewge, Project Coordinator, Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia), feleke.zewge@aau.edu.et
• Prof. Benjamin Dowiya, Institut Facultaire Des Sciences Agronomiques De Yangambi (IFA-Yangambi), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), b.nzaweledowiya@gmail.com

Scholarship Briefing Webinar
The Consortium has organized a webinar on 17th May 2024, from 10:00 EAT. Kindly join using the link below for briefing on the application requirements and process.

When: May 17, 2024 10:00 AM (EAT) Nairobi

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ucOuprTwtHtRrDDD48g6xDOq2Q-Raubhc
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting

View and Download the Scholarship Advert (PDF) 

View and Download the Information about the scholarships (English version) | Information about the Scholarship (French version)