Applications invited for USF International Fellowships for Urban Scholars from the Global South

About the Organization:

The main objective of the Urban Studies Foundation (USF) is to provide significant grant funding and support to individuals and institutions engaged in the advancement of groundbreaking postgraduate urban academic research and education. They achieve these aims primarily through our core grant-funding streams.

International Fellowships:

Urban Studies Foundation (USF) is delighted to announce a further round of its International Fellowship programme enabling early to mid-career urban scholars from the Global South to take an extended sabbatical (3-9 months) in a university or other academically-accredited institution in the Global North or South. Preference may be given to candidates from least or low income countries but middle income developing countries are not excluded if the need for support is justified. The Global South is defined here as countries on the OECD's current ODA recipient list (2018-2020).

Purpose of the Fellowship

The International Fellowship is intended primarily for the purpose of writing-up the candidate’s existing research findings in the form of publishable articles and/or a book under the guidance of a chosen mentor in their field of study. Research centring on issues related to governance, planning and social equity, policy, critical theory, uneven development, and urban sustainability is particularly welcome, but proposals embracing other urban topics and issues are encouraged.

Additionally, it is intended that such outputs should expand theoretical and empirical understanding of the major social, economic, political and other problems associated with the rapid processes of urban growth in the Global South. The programme is therefore designed to give scope to the exchange of ideas between urban scholars working in the Global North and South. To this end, particular importance is attached to the identification and willingness of an established urban scholar working within a northern or southern institution to act as a mentor of the fellow. As part of this, the purpose of the International Fellowship also aims at:

• Fostering collaboration between an emerging researcher from the Global South and a suitable and experienced urban researcher
• Developing and publishing high-quality research on a topic that makes a significant contribution to the study of urbanization in the Global South. It is anticipated that the work undertaken might be of a largely theoretical nature or focused on the analysis and conceptual development of empirically-based research for which the data has already been collected. Therefore, the Fellowship is not designed for the support of primary data collection.
• Strengthening the international profile and career path of the Fellow

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be early-to-mid career urban scholars with a PhD obtained within the preceding 10 years (by the submission deadline) who currently work in a university or other research institution within the Global South.
• Candidates must also be nationals of a country in the Global South, defined as any country on the present OECD list of ODA recipients (2018-2020).

Financial Support:

• The financial support attached to the fellowship will meet accommodation and subsistence needs while staying at the host university, return (economy class) air fare, and assistance towards research costs (including any enrolment fees and other resource costs).
• There is also a small budget available for the mentor to assist the Fellow to meet their intended research aims should this be appropriate.
• Shortlisted candidates may also apply for a small amount of limited extra-ordinary care costs, for example to support any additional care costs for dependent person(s) incurred during the sabbatical.
• Fellowships should begin no later than 1 year after the application deadline (i.e. by 30th April 2021). Applicants are expected to be notified of an outcome normally within four weeks of the application deadline.

Submission:

Candidates must complete the online application form no later than 30th April 2020 (by 23:59 GMT, UK time).

The application must include:

• Applicant information including: contact details, recent education, recent academic roles, and the names and contact details of two academic referees. Both referees should be prepared to submit blind letters of recommendation to the Urban Studies Foundation upon request.
• Fellowship proposal information including dates, mentorship and host institution arrangements
• A draft budget with main cost items
• A proposal that includes: an outline of the planned research (1200 words maximum), intended outputs (300 words maximum), designation of the host institution (300 words maximum), and a statement of how the candidate’s chosen mentor will support and facilitate the proposed research (300 words maximum).
• Proof of applicant’s nationality and therefore eligibility for the award
• Applicant CV listing academic achievements and publications (3 pages maximum)
• Short CV from the mentor which includes any previous mentoring experience (3 pages maximum)
• Supporting letter from the prospective mentor stating their willingness to act as a mentor to the fellow, and indicating the suitability of the host institution for the proposed sabbatical study (2 pages maximum)

All candidates should consult the Further Particulars document below before applying to the scheme.

Candidates wishing to discuss their application informally, or with questions regarding the online application process, should contact USF Director of Operations Joe Shaw: joe.shaw@glasgow.ac.uk

For more information please check the Link