INVITATION FOR APPLICATIONS FOR FULL SPONSORSHIP FOR STUDIES LEADING TO THE AWARD OF A PhD IN AGRO-ECOLOGY (PhD. AGRo-ECO) UNDER THE RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY IN AGROECOLOGY PROJECT (PHASE II)

Deadline 15^th February 2022

Introduction
The project on Research and Advocacy for Agroecology (Project TA 2/17/04) is implemented in partnership between Sokoine University of Agriculture, SWISSAID Tanzania, the Institute of Integrative Biology at ETH Zurich, Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM), Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), and the Bagamoyo District Extension Office. The first phase of the project was initiated in November 2017 and will come to an end in December 2022. The project will subsequently enter into Phase II. The overall objective of the project is to improve locally adapted agroecological practices based on science and, thus, support advocacy efforts for agroecology in Tanzania. During the first phase, two students recruited in early 2018 were fully sponsored to undertake PhD studies in agroecology by research only.  Though the studies are yet to be concluded, preliminary results obtained have shed some light on the nature of studies required to complement the ongoing research in order to derive concrete recommendations for farmers, trainers, and policymakers.  

In the second phase, the project will continue to support PhD students for implementation of project activities through the award of scholarships.

Scholarships Opportunities
Interested candidates may apply for a full sponsorship to pursue the PhD Agroecology programme at SUA which comprises coursework and research. The Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) approved the curriculum for PhD Agroecology (PhD. AGRo-ECO) in 2019. Further information about the programme is available in the PhD Agroecology Handbook and a flier posted on the SUA website: www.sua.ac.tz 

Eligible candidates
The PhD Agroecology programme is hosted in the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture but candidates who wish to be considered for the scholarships can be registered in any academic department at SUA.  The programme considers applications from a wide range of disciplines. Interested applicants must be holders of a Masters’ degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, Crop and Soil Sciences, Livestock Sciences, Forestry, Agroforestry, General Science, Ecology, Range Management, Agricultural Economics, Natural Resource Economics, and other biological and social sciences.  All applicants for the scholarships should have a minimum GPA of 3.5 at BSc. level and a GPA of 4.0 at MSc. Level  from universties recognized by the TCU.   Further information on the programme is available in the PhD Agroecology Handbook which can be accessed at the SUA website.

PhD research areas for the scholarship
Research partners have identified the following research areas for the PhD studies:

1. Agroecological practices for soil water management and climate change adaptation
2. Agroecological soil fertility management systems for enhancing productivity and quality of selected cereal, root and/or  vegetable crops (i.e nutrient content and release patterns of organic inputs, fertilizer plants, nutrient enriched compost, salt-affected soils,  etc)
3. Biochemical composition and efficacy of botanicals (bio-pesticides) for the management of pests in selected cereal and/or  vegetable crops
4. Validation and scaling out of the Ugunduzi App and Macho Sauti App as pathways for adoption of agroecological practices by farmers

Applicants interested in any one of the four research areas and the scholarshio are advised to submit a concept note (maximum 2,000 words; Times New Roman, font 12, 1.5 line spacing) in electronic form to Prof. K.P. Sibuga (sibuga@sua.ac.tz ) copied to the Directorate of Postgraduate, Research, Technology Transfer and Consultancy using the official address drpgs@sua.ac.tz by 15th February, 2022  indicating their initial idea on the study area chosen. 

Potential candidates are required to submit their applications for admission to the  PhD Agroecology at SUA through the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, Research, Technology Transfer and Consultancies  (DPRTC) as per general guidelines and thereafter apply for a scholarship.  Applications for scholarships should be directed to sibuga@sua.ac.tz including their curriculum vitae (CV).

Conditions for sponsorship:

1. Must be under the age of 40;
2. Must have applied and admitted to pursue  PhD Agroecology at SUA commencing 2022/2023 academic year;
3. Female candidates are specifically encouraged to apply; and
4. Successful candidates shall be selected through a competitive process

Duration
The financial support  to successful candidates is for 4 years 

Financial support
Successful candidates will be awarded full sponsorship incorporating University fees, research funds, stipend and other costs approved by SUA.