Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) African Futures Research Leadership Program for Early Career Women Researchers 2023

The Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) established its African Futures Research Leadership Program in Fall 2019. The competitive visiting scholar program targets early career women researchers from the 10 AAP member universities to travel to Michigan State University (MSU) for one year to be jointly supervised by faculty members from MSU and their home institution in research for impact, writing of scholarly and/or policy publications, dissemination of research results and grant proposals. Early career researchers also participate in a structured academic advancement program while building bridges and lasting connections with MSU and across their cohort. They also take part in an off-site leadership retreat, which will provide them with training in the areas of thought leadership, team development, research development, engagement and collaboration. In addition, the scholar's MSU and home institution mentors will each visit the other's institution for one week of collaboration discussions to establish long-term partnerships.

About Alliance for African Partnership (AAP)

Founded by Michigan State University in 2016 in collaboration with African colleagues, the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) is a consortium of MSU, ten leading African universities, and a distinguished network for African research institutes. AAP members are committed to working in equitable partnership to transform lives and address global challenges. The AAP builds on MSU’s long-term engagement in Africa, building on the foundation laid by the African Studies Center and evolving models of engagement in line with AAP’s guiding principles of accountability, equity, inclusivit... read more

African Futures Research Leadership Program

Aim and Benefits of African Futures Research Leadership Program

AAP will provide scholars a salary during their time at MSU, and will cover airfare and visa application fees. Scholars will also receive a small grant for their research and professional development activities, to be spent in coordination with their mentors.

Requirements for African Futures Research Leadership Program Qualification

• Must be an early career woman researcher
• Citizen of an African country in which AAP operates
• Completion of a PhD degree within the last 10 years
• Employed as an Academic Staff member at one of the 10 AAP African consortium universities including Egerton University, Makerere University, University of Dar es Salaam, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Botswana, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University Cheikh Anta Diop, University of Arts and Humanities, Bamako, United States International University-Africa, and University of Pretoria
• Have documented approval of leave or sabbatical to participate in the program for one year
• Have a mentor at their home institution that will serve as a collaborator and mentor when they return to their home institution
• Research must be in one of AAP's six priority areas: agri-food systems, water, energy, & environment, youth empowerment, education, health & nutrition, and culture

Documents Required for Application

Additional program deadlines:

• Final selection: March 1, 2023
• Expected start date: August 25, 2023
• Expected end date: July 31, 2024

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Applicants will submit a proposal that includes a CV, letter of interest, endorsement from their department chair and AAP focal point, writing samples, and letters of reference. Successful applicants will be paired with a suitable MSU faculty mentor and will work with their mentor over a one-year period at MSU. 

Please contact Jose Jackson-Malete at [email protected] or 517-353-6989 with any questions.

For more detils, visit AAP website.