Leakey Foundation The Francis H. Brown African Scholarship 2023

The purpose of the Francis H. Brown African Scholarship Fund is to expand human knowledge and scientific interest in earth sciences and botany related to human origins by providing financial assistance to East African researchers and students pursuing research in these areas. The fund is further intended to support research that builds on the work of Dr. Francis H. Brown and builds capacity in the earth and botanical sciences in East African institutions and countries.

Frank Brown was a geologist whose study of the Omo-Turkana basin provides the basis for the timeline of human evolution. He devoted more than fifty years to mapping and analyzing the geology of northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia, and his work provided a way to place fossil finds in chronological order.

About The Leakey Foundation

Dr. Louis S. B. Leakey was one of the 20th century’s great anthropologists and a tireless promoter of science education and public outreach. During Dr. Leakey’s travels to the United States in the 1960s to lecture and raise money for his research, he met a group of enthusiastic individuals who were curious about human origins and evolution. Inspired by Dr. Leakey and his ideas, they started a collective to promote a multidisciplinary approach to human origins research. In 1968, they formed The Leakey Foundation to support Louis and Mary Leakey’s fieldwork and the groundbreaking research ... read more

The Francis H. Brown African Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of The Francis H. Brown African Scholarship

The maximum award amount is $30,000 per applicant per year.

Requirements for The Francis H. Brown African Scholarship Qualification

Students or researchers of African heritage who are citizens of Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Djibouti, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia or Eritrea who (a) are pursuing a graduate degree at an accredited university, preferably from, but not limited to, an institution located in sub-Saharan Africa or (b) have completed their doctoral degrees not longer than ten (10) years prior to the time of application for funding from this source.

Applicants must be pursuing research in earth sciences and/or botany related to human origins.

Applicants shall demonstrate a commitment to a career in their field of study with an emphasis on research and teaching in his/her country of citizenship following the completion of his/her degree.

Documents Required for Application

During the application process, you will be asked to upload attachments to your application. Please follow the instructions below for each of the attachments. All of the attachments except the applicant photo must be uploaded as PDF documents.

Proposal Body Please describe your plan for study or training, research interests, professional goals and prospects for employment in your home country. Please limit this attachment to three pages, single spacing, 12 point typeface.

Detailed Proposal Budget Please click here to download the Budget Worksheet.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Proposals will be accepted for support twice yearly. Proposals must be submitted by January 10 for awards given in May and July 15 for awards given in December.

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

For more details, visit Leakey Foundation website.