Deadline: 15 January 2024

The African Genome Center (AGC) at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Morocco, and the African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) Open Institute are partnering on a comprehensive training program to advance biodiversity genomics research in Africa, specifically focusing on genomes and their significant impact on the African continent, through several joint training Fellowships.

These Fellowships will focus on providing practical experience on library preparations, genome sequencing and analysis of African endemic and indigenous species using sequencing technologies which include, but not limited to, PacBio HiFi and Omni-C on Illumina NextSeq.

I. Key information

• Type of fellowship and cohort: Short-term advanced training: 2 - 4 Weeks (March 2024 cohort)
• Where: This in-person Fellowship will be hosted by the African Genome Center, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Morocco.

II. What does this Fellowship cover?

• Accommodation
• Catering or meals
• Laboratory consumables, reagents, and computing resources
• Access to training site

III. What is NOT covered under this Fellowship?

• Travel costs
• Visa processing and associated costs
• Health insurance or travel insurance associated costs

IV. Responsibilities of selected Fellows

• Cover their travel costs to-and-from the training venue at the AGC in Morocco.
• Arrange for their travel insurance and /or health insurance before taking up the Fellowship, where required.
• Apply and secure a Moroccan visa, if required, for the duration of the training.
• Contribute in drafting and developing manuscript for the sequenced genome:
  • Perform all co-authors responsibilities during writing, review, and publication stages.
• Become Genomics and Bioinformatics Ambassadors upon return to their communities.
• Contribute to their organization’s efforts in driving step change upon completion of the training.

V. Key dates

• Application opens: Monday, 13th November, 2023
• Application closes: Monday, 15th January, 2024
• Application review and selection process begins: Wednesday, 17th January, 2024
• Notification of successful applicants: Monday, 29th January, 2024
• Selected applicants begin their travel plans: Tuesday, 30th January, 2024
• Training Fellowship begins: late March 2024
• Training Fellowship ends: late April 2024

VI. Eligibility criteria

• Applicants should have a primary affiliation to any African organization or institution.
• Applicants should have relevant experience in at least one of the below relevant areas:
  • Molecular biology
  • Genome sequencing, assembly, annotation, bioinformatics
  • Sample collections, and/or
  • Ethics and policy
• Applicants can be at any stage of their career.

• Applicants should have ongoing or existing projects in biodiversity or agricultural genomics genomics.
• Applicants should be able to demonstrate that skills gained from the training will be applied to a future relevant project.
• Applicants must also have a personal commitment to make a difference in their African communities.
• To allow AfricaBP demonstrate progression, retainment of trainees, and provide mentoring opportunities for previously trained candidates, selection preference will be given to candidates who have previously:
  • Completed an AfricaBP Open Institute regional practical workshop (in the case of applications for short-term training fellowships) if they're ranked equal amongst other qualified applicants OR
  • Completed a short-term training fellowship (in the case of applications for residential training fellowships) if they're ranked equal amongst other qualified applicants.
• Applicants should have strong potential to contribute to the overall AfricaBP goals in genome sequencing, analysis, sample collections, ethics and policy.
• Applicants participation in the training should further position them to become Ambassadors and leaders in genome sequencing and analysis targeted at biodiversity, sample collections, ethics and policy of African biodiversity genomics.
• The final selection of participants will reflect and consider diversity from African countries in the shortlisting process:
  • Geographical diversity: Selected participants will be from African countries as defined by the African Union geographical categorisation HERE
  • Gender diversity: Selection of participants will reflect gender diversity in the shortlisting process.

VII. How to Apply?

• To apply, please, click HERE
• For more information about the African BioGenome Project, please visit African BioGenome project webpage

VIII. Contacts

For pre-application enquiries about this Fellowship, please email the below persons:

• Dr. Ahmed MD BULBUL | [email protected]
• Dr. Khaoula Errafii | [email protected]
• Prof. Mohamed HIJRI | [email protected]