Round 5-Call for Student Applications: Capability Building through Research Stays for Low Emission Agriculture (Full Funded)

Trainings Round 5-Call for Student Applications: Capability Building through Research Stays for Low Emission Agriculture (Full Funded)

Deadline: 1 September 2022

The CLIFF-GRADS Programme invites applications from PhD students from developing countries for short term (4-6 month) scientific training and research on the measurement, modelling and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, or carbon storage in agricultural systems relevant to developing countries (this may be in the context of enhancing food security). Research will be conducted in association with CGIAR and GRA scientists.

Grants of $12,000 USD will be awarded to PhD students from developing countries for research stays that will be completed before the end of 2024. Funding for this CLIFF-GRADS call is provided by the New Zealand Government and the CGIAR Trust Fund donors and contracts are administered by the Ryan Institute of the National University of Ireland, Galway

I. Eligibility

  • Individuals applying for the Programme must be citizens of developing countries,
  • Be undertaking their PhD in a University in a developing country and
  • Must not have previously been awarded a CLIFF-GRADS grant.

II. Background

The Climate, Food and Farming, Global Research Alliance Development Scholarships (CLIFF-GRADS) Programme is a joint initiative of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) and the CGIAR. CLIFF-GRADS builds capability in early-career scientists from developing countries to conduct applied research in agriculture greenhouse gas emission quantification and mitigation. In the first four rounds of CLIFF-GRADS, a total of 124 PhD students received grants, furthering their research skills and strengthening international agriculture emission research networks.

V. Duration

  • CLIFF-GRADS research stays are expected to be a maximum of 6 months.
  • Students and research supervisors are welcome to extend the stay by mutual agreement if additional funding is available to support a longer stay.

VI. Other Benefits

  • The GRA and the CGIAR may organise webinars, workshops, and other activities for capacity building.
  • These opportunities will provide professional experience and serve as networking and communication platforms for CLIFF-GRADS students to share research and experiences with each other.
  • CLIFF-GRADS students are not expected to use their funding for these opportunities.

III. How to Apply?

  • Applicants must complete the CLIFF-GRADS Round 5 online application form and submit the following necessary documentation merged into a single PDF file.
  • Applications must be in English and applications that are in any other language will not be accepted.
  •  -1-2 page motivation letter (described below) -1-page academic curriculum vitae (CV / Resume) that includes your contact details -Letter of support from your PhD supervisor at your current host university

Motivation Letter

 Your motivation letter should be no more than two pages, and must include the following: 1.Your name, nationality and your PhD country 2.Objectives of your graduate research 3.The specific research opportunity or opportunities (up to 3) in order of preference to which you are applying (see list below). Please list the research stay name and number.4.Your qualifications to conduct research on greenhouse gas emissions and/or soil carbon storage in agricultural systems, relevant to the research opportunity for which you are applying. 5.A description of how scientific training received under the CLIFF-GRADS Programme will improve your graduate research and contribute to your career.

IV. Selection process

  • Successful applicants will demonstrate the relevance of their PhD research for the project to which they are applying.
  • Successful applicants will be matched with a project and notified by email by mid-October, 2022.
  • Applicants are selected based on three criteria: 1.overall level of research experience, 2.relevance of PhD thesis topic or other research experience to the CLIFF-GRADS objective, and 3.the clarity of description of how the CLIFF-GRADS experience will improve the student’s scientific capability and contribute to their career.

V. Useful links

CLIFF-GRADS

GRA

CGIAR

All enquiries relating to this call for applications should be directed to the Programme coordinator:  [email protected]

 

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