Application Deadline: July 31, 2020
The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is pleased to announce the Moses Mapesa Research Grant 2020/2021 to support African Doctoral and Masters Students in the field of natural and cultural heritage. The AWHF was launched in 2006 in South Africa to support African State Parties in implementation of the UNESCO Convention of 1972 concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention). This research grant seeks to further research (particularly supporting fieldwork) on World Heritage and tentative listed sites in Africa.
Topic Areas
The award will support research projects focused on the following topics related to a World Heritage or a tentative listed site in Africa:
• Traditional Management Systems;
• Risk management and preparedness;
• Heritage in Conflict and Post-conflict situations;
• Heritage management and conservation;
• Heritage and Climate Change;
• Heritage and Economics/Entrepreneurship;
• Heritage and Sustainable Development;
• Heritage Promotion and Awareness;
• Heritage and Digital Technologies;
• Heritage and Law.
Grant
• Grant amounts will vary depending on research proposals, with a maximum award of USD 5,000. The fieldwork research needs to be conducted in no longer than 9 months from the signature of the contract.
Eligibility
Open to students who are:
• Currently or will be registered in 2021 in a Doctoral or Masters programme (Masters 2 for Francophone countries) at an African university and conducting dissertation research in the field of either natural or cultural heritage;
• Fluent in English, French or Portuguese;
• Citizens of an African Union Member State which is party to the World Heritage Convention.
Selection Criteria
An inter-disciplinary and cross-regional selection committee will review the applications. The following items will be strongly considered during selection:
• Eligibility of applicant;
• Completed application package (application form, CV, motivation letter, transcript & complete research proposal);
• Quality and relevance of the research proposed;
• Gender, language and geographic balance.
Application
All applicants should submit the following application package:
• The completed application form in English or French (co-signed by the supervisor);
• A letter of motivation by the applicant (1 page maximum);
• Applicant’s updated curriculum vitae (2 pages maximum);
• Applicant’s current university transcript;
• Research proposal (2 pages maximum) including the following:
o Full name, affiliated university, country, degree level, title of research and related World Heritage or tentative listed site;
o Description of research (Goal/objectives, research question/s, relevance, significance, justification and scope);
o Research methodology (approach, timeframe, analysis);
o Bibliography;
o Budget (indicate funds from all sources, stating specifically the field work items the grant would be for with justifications as to the need).
The complete application package should be sent at the latest on July 31, 2020 via email to: info@awhf.net.
For more information, visit African World Heritage Fund.
