The African Fellows Programme.

The aim of the African Fellows Programme (AFP) is to support sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa by catalysing innovative solutions needed to achieve food security. Projects should aim to develop lasting partnerships and strategic alliances that will help in developing local scientific capacity relevant to sustainable agricultural production. The potential impact of the project will be taken into account during proposal assessment. African scientists will carry out research projects in a partner European research institute, or university, for periods normally of 6 to 8 months. Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis in a two stage assessment process.

Research projects must 

- focus on solving an agricultural problem or constraint 
- demonstrate a clear path from research to application 
- be of benefit to small-holder African farmers and the rural economy. Examples of potential project areas include crop nutrition, soil fertility, post-harvest technology, alternative crops, livestock management and plant protection. Please note that all projects must be focused on topics relevant to small farmers.

The programme CANNOT support field work in Africa and projects on food processing will NOT be funded. MSc and PhD studies are also outside the remit of the programme.

Pre-proposal concept notes are now invited for the seventh round of this Programme. Pre-proposals should be submitted by 17:00 hours (GMT) on Monday 11th February 2008, preferrably by email.

Applicants can obtain further details and guidelines from the Rothamsted International web site:
http://www.rothamsted-international.org/HTML/Fellowships/AFP_main_page.html

Further details can also be obtained by email (), or by writing to the AFP Coordinator, Rothamsted International, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK.