University of Michigan USA African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS) 2016/2017

Scholarship Name: U-M African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS)

About Scholarship

The U-M African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS) brings early career faculty members from Ghana, South Africa, Liberia, Uganda and other African countries to the University of Michigan for residencies lasting up to six months. Scholars are paired with a faculty mentor during their stay and have full access to U-M’s resources to further their work on a research project, an academic degree, a new course, a grant proposal, or other relevant activity. The program supports the development of the next generation of African scholars and seeks to help their home institutions build capacity. Individuals may apply for a two-month, four-month, or six-month residency.

Eligibility

The applicant must be a faculty member from universities in Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, or the University of Liberia. Since a primary goal of the program is to assist in capacity building in African academe, strong preference will be given to early career members of the faculty. Mid-career faculty will also be considered.

Early career faculty means faculty who have taught in the higher education system for less than ten years. Applicants may or may not have received their PhD. If they have not received their PhD the application to UMAPS should detail how a Michigan residency will contribute to that end. If they have PhD in hand, their program of research in relation to career development should be clearly stated.

All applicants should include a letter of support from Head of Department, Chair, Dean, or another person in the university administration that recommends the candidate and explains how the scholar will address an outstanding faculty/scholarly need at their university. In addition, the letter should confirm the institution’s commitment to continue to pay the scholar’s academic salary while on leave at U-M.

Selection Criteria

A multidisciplinary faculty committee at the University of Michigan will review and select candidates. Selection will be based on the academic quality of the candidate and of the proposed program of scholarship; the academic fit of the candidate with others selected in the cycle-and with the areas of interest described above; and the support of the candidate’s home institution. Strong emphasis will be given to candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds. Promotion of gender equity in the current class of scholars and in the African academy will also be given strong consideration. Applicants who already have significant international experience will not be favored for this program.

Number of Scholarships: Not specified

Value of Scholarship: African Presidential Scholars will be provided with round-trip airfare from their home country to Ann Arbor, housing, and a modest stipend to cover living and select research expenses during their residency at the University of Michigan. Scholars would begin their residency in September, 2016.

It is expected that the scholar’s home institution will continue to pay the scholar’s academic salary during the duration of the fellowship.

Each scholar will be asked to give a seminar with other visiting Ghanaian, Liberian, South African, and Ugandan scholars and U-M faculty and students during his or her tenure.

Duration of Scholarship: Eligible scholars may apply to visit U-M for two months, a semester (four months) or for a half year (six months) beginning in September, 2016.

Eligible Countries: Ghana, South Africa and Liberia

To be taken at (country): University of Michigan, USA

Application Deadline

Annual Application Period: August 15-October 15 2015

Offered annually? Yes

How to Apply

Applicants must submit:

• A completed application form
• A curriculum vitae
• A research proposal, not to exceed five double-spaced pages
• A letter of support from the department chair or program head, dean, or vice chancellor at the applicant’s home institution. This letter should: (1) indicate the institution’s commitment to continue to pay the scholar’s academic salary while on leave at U-M. It should also (2) describe the candidate’s strengths and merits, and (3) explain how this candidate’s U-M residency contributes to central needs of the university.

Applications should be electronically to: [email protected]

Alternatively, hard copies can be mailed to the following address:

Director, African Studies Center – UMAPS
The University of Michigan
International Institute
1080 S. University Ave, Suite 3603
Ann Arbor, Ml 48109-1106
Tel: 734-615-3027
Fax: 734-936-0996

Visit scholarship webpage for details

Sponsors: University of Michigan