The Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) at the Wits Business School (University of the Witwatersrand), with the support of the Mastercard Foundation, invites applications for a Doctoral Fellowship on the Non-Profit Sector and its Contribution to African Economies project.

The aim of the PhD fellowship is to provide opportunities for young African doctoral students registered in African universities to participate in research on non-profit organizations and their contributions to African economies. The specific focus of the research project is ‘the creation of dignified and fulfilling work for young Africans by the non-profit sector’.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

This doctoral fellowship program offers five years of support to twenty (20) selected students. Each fellow will receive a fully funded fellowship, providing a full scholarship of up to $30,000 per year. The program invites doctoral students primarily but not exclusively from African universities in the 17 countries targeted by the project. These are Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Doctoral students will be working on topics related to non-profit organizations and their contributions to African economies, particularly those focusing on dignified and fulfilling employment for young Africans. Successful applicants will work closely with four post-doctoral fellows paired with senior researchers in undertaking their research. Fellows will be selected in line with categories of youth the project is paying special attention to -gender, marginalization, disability, regionality, and various forms of youth marginality.

Applications are invited from doctoral students with an interest in the non-profit sector and its role in African economies. Those from and focusing on the following countries will be prioritised: Burkina Faso, DRC, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa,  Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for the Fellowship Program, applicants must:

1. Be currently enrolled in a relevant doctoral program at an African university focusing on themes and research aligned to the project OR intending to apply for doctoral studies in the relevant field for the academic year starting in January 2024.
2. Have research interest in the non-profit sector and its role in African economies. Priority will be given to those working on youth issues.
3. Demonstrate commitment to the program and the ability to work effectively in a team.
4. Be available to participate in the program for its entire duration.
5. Less than 35 years of age
6. In the first or second year of their PhD programme.
7. Be nationals of any of the 16 countries.

SUBJECT FIELDS

Social and behavioural sciences, including Economics, Development Studies, International Development, Non-profit or Philanthropic studies, Statistics and Actuarial Sciences, Management, Public Policy, History, Human Geography, or any development-related field.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Eligible candidates should prepare and submit the following as part of the application package:

1. Current curriculum vitae (CV).
2. A personal statement (maximum 500 words) outlining their research interest, motivation, and alignment with the advertised CAPSI Research program.
3. An outline of their proposed research project (Maximum 2500 words) covering the following.
4. Background of study
5. Problem Statement

Research questions:

1. Research objectives
2. Literature review and theoretical framework
3. Proposed methodology (covering research design, sampling and, data collection and ethical considerations)
4. A letter of recommendation from their doctoral supervisor/proposed supervisor.
5. A copy of their academic transcripts.
6. Proof of age ( e.g., passport, birth certificate, etc.)
7. Proof of admission or registration in an African University

The application must be sent by email to: dennis.osei@wits.ac.za (applicants from West and North Africa), wycliffe.ouma@wits.ac.za (applicants from East Africa), and eleanor.chipeta @wits.ac.za (applicants from Southern Africa)  clearly marked “PHD FELLOWSHIP IN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR’S CONTRIBUTION TO AFRICAN ECONOMIES”.

Successful applicants will be notified by March 30^th, 2024.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

The deadline for applications is  Thursday, 29 February  2024.

For more information and to apply, please visit the CAPSI website (https://capsi.co.za).

Inquiries should be directed to Jacob.mati@wits.ac.za or any of the emails above.