The Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) program has funded LINkIN-Ghana, a McGill University-University of Ghana program to strengthen the capacity of researchers who work with farmers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and local institutions to develop solutions to agriculture and food and nutrition security. We seek to improve especially the lives of adolescent girls and women farmers in rural Ghana through expanding knowledge and skills, and improving access to services and markets.
LINkIN-Ghana will support a network of exceptional scholars from diverse disciplines who are at the doctoral, post-doctoral, and early career stages. To more completely understand the complexity of the issues of agriculture and food security and their link to nutrition, and appreciate the contribution that diverse sectors make, the program integrates research and professional training with internships hosted at non-academic institutions working in rural communities. Cross-cutting research issues will include but not be limited to (i) the quality of production of small-scale women farmers working in the area of high-value animal products and other agricultural commodities, (ii) farmers’ association(s) and cooperatives to support women farmers and facilitate access to agriculture and financial services and development of small businesses, (iii) adolescent girls and women’s knowledge and skills needed to become successful agriculture-related entrepreneurs; and (iv) institutional collaborations to provide services and support for adolescent girls and women’s nutrition, development, and income generation potential.
The QES LINkIN-Ghana award package for post-doctoral fellows includes:
(i) up to $25,000 research and travel funds (Note: no postdoc salary is available through this award)
(iv) professional development training in Canada and/or Ghana to enhance leadership and research skills
(v) networking with other QES
(vi) unpaid internship experience at a Research Placement Partner (RPP) in Ghana or Canada for at least 30% of the time on the award. The RPP may be a for-profit business, a non-governmental organization, or an independent research institution. The RPP will be chosen based on the interests of the student and in consultation with the student.
Eligibility criteria:
(i) Citizen of one of the QES eligible countries (see list below*). Preference will be given to Ghanaians. Non-Ghanaian who demonstrate a long-term commitment in Ghana may also be considered.
(ii) Is currently or has secured position as a postdoctoral fellow (QES defines a post-doctoral fellow as “An individual who is conducting research after the completion of their doctoral studies. Fellows usually work under the mentorship of a lead researcher or a principal investigator.”)
(iii) Research will contribute directly or indirectly to the lives of rural adolescent girls and/or women farmers through expanding knowledge and skills, and/or improving access to needed services and markets.
(iv) Able to travel to Quebec, Canada for a minimum of 90 d (excluding travel days).
(v) All expenses must be completed by December 31, 2020.
Selection criteria for the scholars program overall will be based on:
(i) quality of candidate
(ii) quality of proposed research (preference will be given to those whose proposed work is directly beneficial to rural Upper Manya Krobo District, Ghana however this is not a requirement)
(iii) potential to benefit from the international experience and professional training
(iv) potential to contribute long-term to institutional capacity development at the University of Ghana and RPP in Ghana
Applicants should send in one pdf file, the following items to Dr. Grace Marquis at grace.marquis@mcgill.ca by 23h59 Eastern Standard Time, February 28, 2018. The competition will remain open until filled.
1. Maximum one page statement on the value of the proposed training, previous overseas experience, interest in community development/entrepreneurship, contribution that can be made to University of Ghana, and vision of long-term commitment to Ghana.
2. Maximum two-page summary of proposed research, clearly indicating the benefit for adolescent girls and/or women’s nutrition and livelihoods
3. Transcripts (scanned undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD degree; McGill coursework, if available)
4. CV
5. Letter of recommendation from postdoc supervisor
6. Additional information, including further discussions on research and budget needs, may be requested after initial screening. Finalists may be asked to meet with the program team.
See: http://www.queenelizabethscholars.ca/winning-proposals/
https://www.mcgill.ca/desautels/mcche/research/queen-elizabeth-scholars-qes
Direct questions to Dr. Aryeetey (School of Public Health) at raryeetey@ug.edu.gh
or Dr. Marquis (Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences) at grace.marquis@mcgill.ca
Eligible countries:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin
Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China (People's Republic of), Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea
Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya
Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi
Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Mongolia
Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria
Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia., Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal
Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka
Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo
Tokelau, Tonga, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank and Gaza Strip, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
