TRAJECTS Master and PhD Scholarships 2021 for Developing Countries

TRAJECTS, The Transnational Centre for Just Transitions in Energy, Climate and Sustainability opens its Call for Applications for Master and PhD Scholarships 2021.

When is the Application Deadline:

• Master: 5th November 2021
• PhD: 30th November 2021

Tell Me About TRAJECTS Master and PhD Scholarships:

TRAJECTS is a DAAD-funded project that seeks to create and/or strengthen research and teaching capacities on Just Transitions in Energy, Climate and Sustainability, especially in the Global South.

Within this framework, Master scholarships aim to strengthen the research capacity of our partners in the Global South and to increase the number of students contributing to research questions relevant for TRAJECTS as well as their individual interests and future careers.

Similarly, PhD scholarships aim to strengthen the research capacity of our partners in the Global South, and generate long-term local capacity to deal with academic and practical questions related to Transitions to Sustainability.

What Type of Scholarship is this?

Master, PhD

Who can apply for TRAJECTS Master and PhD Scholarships?

Master

• Last degree certificate must not be older than six years when applying for the scholarship
• Enrolment as Master student at UMS/ UCT/ UNAL
• Newly enrolled or 1st-semester student at the beginning of the funding period – funding granted initially for max 4 semesters and max. until the end of the 4th semester (subject to a semesterly check of academic achievement)
• Exceptional cases of funding of students in the 2nd or higher semester at the beginning of the funding period can be considered (subject to the decision of the scholarship committee)
• Exceptional cases of funding beyond the end of the 4th semester can be considered (subject to decision of the scholarship committee)

PhD

• English language proficiency
• Last degree certificate should not be older than six years when applying for the scholarship
• Acceptance/Enrolment as PhD student at UCT/ UNAL
• Newly enrolled or 1st year PhD student at the beginning of the funding period – funding granted initially for max 6 semesters and max. until the end of the 6th semester (subject to a yearly check of academic achievement).
• Exceptional cases of funding of students in the 2nd or higher year of PhD studies at the beginning of the funding period can be considered (start max. three years ago and subject to the decision of scholarship committee).
• Exceptional cases of funding beyond the end of the 6th semester can be considered (Subject to the decision of scholarship committee).

How are Applicants Selected?

After the final deadline of the call for applications, eligible candidates will be evaluated and ranked by the respective host institution. Special attention will be given to attain the diversity goals of TRAJECTS.  At least 30% of short-listed candidates must contribute to increasing the diversity of TRAJECTS scholars (scholars who have scored points for the criterion “member of and underrepresented /disadvantaged group” and/or “financial need”).

Shortlisted candidates, will be invited to participate in a digital interview with members of the scholarship committee. The interviews will be conducted per host institution in the respective local language. Other eligible, but not short-listed candidates will be transferred to a reserve list. After the interviews, the scholarship committee will select 10 candidates for a TRAJECTS Master scholarship.

All applicants will be informed by email: Candidates will be nominated; ineligible applicants will be rejected and applicants on the reserve list will be informed about their status. If a candidate does not accept a scholarship, the next person on the reserve list will be nominated.

Which Countries are Eligible?

African countries

Where will Award be Taken?

• The master scholarships will be provided at TRAJECTS main hub Universidad Nacional de Colombia UNAL (6 scholarships), the African sister hub University of Cape Town UCT (12 scholarships) and the implementing partner Universidad del Magdalena UMS (12 scholarships).
• The PhD scholarships will be provided at TRAJECTS main hub Universidad Nacional de Colombia UNAL (2022-24: 6 scholarships; 2023-25: 6 scholarships) and the African sister hub University of Cape Town UCT (2022-24: 2 scholarships; 2023-25: 2 scholarships).

How Many Scholarships will be Given?

During TRAJECTS (2021-2025), we expect to support:

• 30 scholarships for Master students with a duration of two years, divided into three cohorts in the duration of the project: 1^st cohort 2022-23, 2nd cohort 2023-24, 3^rd cohort 2024-25. In each cohort, 10 students will be funded.
• 16 scholarships for PhD students with a duration of three years, divided into two fully-funded PhD cohorts in the duration of the project: 1^st cohort 2022-24, 2nd cohort 2023-25.

What is the Benefit of Scholarship?

Master

• Monthly allowance: Monthly stipend of 400.- Euro for maximum of 2 years (24 months), starting earliest on January 1^st 2022, ending latest on December 31^st 2023.
• Travel costs: Limited funds of in total 2.500.- EUR per cohort and year are available for Master candidates coming from third countries to support international travel between the home and the host country. Travel costs will be paid based on real costs up to a budget limit per eligible grantee to be calculated depending on the number of eligible grantees.
• Individual Material Expenditure Allowance for Research: Real costs up to the budget limit of 500,- EUR per Master grantee (for the whole funding period of 24 months).

PhD

• Monthly allowance: Monthly stipend of 500 Euro for maximum 3 years (36 months), starting earliest on January 1^st 2022, ending latest on December 31^st 2024.
• Travel costs: For PhD candidates coming from third countries funds are available to support international travel between the home and the host country, costs for visa and/or health insurance. Travel costs will be paid based on real costs up to a budget limit per eligible grantee to be calculated depending on the number of eligible grantees.
• Family support: Limited funds are available for PhD candidates coming from third countries to support accompanying children. Only children for whom the grantee does not receive national child benefits are eligible for this funding. Max. allowance: 204,-EUR/child/month – amount subject to availability of funds.
• Individual Material Expenditure Allowance for Research: Real costs up to the budget limit of 2.000,- EUR per PhD grantee (for the whole funding period of 36 months).

How to Apply for TRAJECTS Master and PhD Scholarships:

APPLY HERE for Master Scholarships

APPLY HERE for PhD Scholarships

Visit TRAJECTS Master and PhD Scholarships Webpage for Details