FINANCE FOR COLLEGE

The Sawiris Scholarships promote doctoral research for the benefit of developing countries. The projects have to be innovative and develop a method or product, which is directly relevant for improving the livelihoods of poor people in developing countries.
The application procedure varies depending on the relationship that the doctoral candidate has with the ETH Zurich.
Criteria for candidates without link to the ETH Zurich
Eligibility
To be admitted to the selection process, the application has to fulfil the following requirements:
The candidate
Preference will be given to citizens of least developed countries and other low-income countries according to the OECD classification.
The entrance requirements for doctoral studies at the ETH Zurich have to be fulfilled.
Experience in the selected research area is required.
The research project
The proposal is of high scientific quality.
The research topic is innovative and relevant for development.
The ecological, socio-economic and cultural context has been taken into account.
Reasonable results can be expected in the given timeframe.
The expected impact of the research is high for the intended target group.
The partnership
Projects involving a research partner from a developing country have to be based on the KFPE principles.
All partners have been involved in project formulation and development.
All partners make a substantial in-kind or cash commitment.
The project is integrated into the general activities of the involved institutions.
Preference will be given to projects with partners in least developed countries and other low-income countries according to the OECD classification.
Application procedure
For candidates who do not yet have a supervisor at the ETH Zurich the application procedure consists of two steps.
First step – The candidate has to submit a concept note (details see below) to the North-South Centre. The deadline for submitting concept notes is June 30. In case that a suitable supervisor at the ETH Zurich can be identified and that he/she is ready to accept the candidate as a doctoral student, the supervisor can submit the full proposal.
Second step – Full proposals can be submitted to the North-South Centre by the supervising ETH professor once a year. The deadline is February 15 of the subsequent year.
Concept note
The proposed research has to be concerned with the development of a method or product, which is directly relevant to poor people in developing countries.
The research topic has to be within the thematic scope of ETH Zurich.
A potential research group at the ETH Zurich, where the proposed research could be embedded, has to be identified.
The CV of the candidate and three references have to be provided.
The research outline should not exceed 3000 characters (with spaces).
Relevant own publications or relevant earlier activities by the candidate should be indicated.
Full proposal
A scholarship of CHF 150’000 can be granted per proposal for a period of three years. The application in electronic form has to be submitted by the professor of the ETH Zurich who has accepted to supervise the candidate. The proposal of maximum 15 pages has to include the following information:
Proposal
Cover page including executive summary
Clearly defined and justified objectives
Problem definition, state of research (own and others) and references (to be included into appendix)
Project description, hypotheses, innovativeness of the research, research methodology, and corresponding logical framework matrix.
Description of the institutional framework and partnership, explaining the contribution of all involved partners (if applicable)
Supervision and backstopping
Work plan with milestones
Critical assessment of chances and risks
Expected results and strategy for their implementation (method or product to be developed and its relevance to end users)
Detailed budget for each year of the scholarship, differentiating all funding sources including those of the ETH chair and partner contributions (financial or in-kind)
Appendix
Letters of support from all involved partner institutions
Motivation letter with career intentions of the candidate
CV of the candidate with references
List of 5 independent reviewers
Personal references
Selection procedure and reporting
The proposals will first be reviewed by independent scientists of the relevant field and then evaluated by the expanded subcommittee grants of the North-South Centre as specified in the contract with the Sawiris Foundation.
The candidates of all accepted projects will be informed about the contractual requirements and reporting procedures (technical and financial).
Further Scholarship Infomation and Information

Coimbra Group Short Stay Scholarship Programme for young African researchers
The Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme for young African researchers aims to enable scholars to undertake research for a short research period (generally 1 to maximum 3 months) in which they are engaged in their home institution, at a selected Coimbra Group university, and to help them establish academic and research contacts. The following Coimbra Group universities are participating in the 2009-2010 edition of the scheme:
University of Aarhus (Denmark)

University of Barcelona (Spain)

University of Coimbra (Portugal)

University of Geneva (Switzerland)

University of Göttingen (Germany)

University of Granada (Spain)

University of Groningen (The Netherlands)

University of Leuven (Belgium)

University of Padova (Italy)

University of Siena (Italy)

University of Thessaloniki (Greece)

University of Turku (Finland)
Eligibility Criteria
The scheme is intended for young academics (normally those under the age of 45). Applicants should be current staff members of a university or an equivalent higher education institution, and, in most cases, should be of postdoctoral or equivalent status.
Application Procedure
Applicants must fill in the on-line application form and/or the paper application form and return it, together with the required documents (see below) to the Coimbra Group Office before 15 March 2009 (per postmark). Please note that applications sent after this date or incomplete applications (with missing documents) will be rejected.
Please make sure you enclose the following documents:?

Curriculum Vitae with passport photo?

Copies of university diplomas?

Explanatory report of the work programme to be pursued in the recipient university(max. 1000 words)?

Two letters of reference (in sealed envelopes) from individuals familiar with theapplicant’s work (please indicate also their name, profession and contact details)?

Document certifying the applicant’s affiliation to his/her university 2

Candidates will be able to select one university only. Applicants should identify a research supervisor in the host university and provide his/her contact details in the application form. It would be desirable if applicants took contact with their research supervisor before submitting their application (please note that some universities require a letter of acceptance by yoursupervisor in your host university - see the list for details).
Please send your application package (application form together with all other required documents) to the following address:
Coimbra GroupEgmontstraat 11, rue d’Egmont1000 BruxellesBelgium
When selection has been agreed, the host university may send a letter of invitation directly to the successful candidate. The Coimbra Group Office will contact candidates who are not successful in obtaining a place under the scheme.Successful candidates who are currently employed by a University are responsible for ensuring that their home institution will grant them leave of absence to undertake the proposed visit.
The Coimbra GroupThe Coimbra Group, which was set up in 1987, is an association of 38 traditional European universities. It aims to increase co-operation amongst its members by enhancing special academic and cultural ties, and creating channels of information and exchange. Its areas of interest and involvement include central and eastern Europe as well as countries in LatinAmerica and Africa. More information about the Coimbra Group can be found on the association’s website (www.coimbra-group.eu). Further details about the universities taking part in the Scholarship programme for young African researchers may be found by viewing their own web site at the addresses included in the Annex.
Contact DetailsFor further information please contact Mrs Anna Quici via email (quici@coimbra-group.eu) or at the following address:
Anna QuiciProject CoordinatorCoimbra Group OfficeEgmontstraat 11, rue d’Egmont1000 Bruxelles, BelgiumTel: +32 2 513 8332Fax: +32 2 513 6411
http://www.coimbra-group.eu/