Deadline: 15th July 2022
CABES Masters Scholarship Programme 2022 on Science-Policy-Practice Interfaces on Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Climate Change ( SPIBES) for Africans
The CABES programme kicks off with the first call for applications to the SPIBES MSc. programme, offered by the Africa Center of Excellence on Climate Change Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (CEA-CCBAD), University of Félix Houphouet-Boigny (UFHB), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (SPIBES MSc. Programme, West Africa).
The Master of Science (MSc.) programme on “Science-Policy-Practice Interfaces on Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Climate Change – SPIBES” is a two-year full-time interdisciplinary programme that aims to provide students across Western, Eastern and Central Africa with broad, high-quality knowledge and skills needed to seamlessly navigate science-policy interfaces for biodiversity conservation. The objective is to foster regional scientific collaborations and to build capacities of young experts to engage in science-policy interfaces such as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) on an international, regional, sub-regional and national level, specifically related to Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BES), policy-making and sustainable development pathways.
The CABES Masters Scholarship Programme 2022 specifically will:
- provide the students with a general understanding of BES and their relevance from interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspectives;
- facilitate inter- and transdisciplinary thinking to create and enable a new generation of scientists to tackle global environmental challenges;
- generate knowledge on the functioning and set-up of (inter)national policy processes and;
- provide tools to translate research findings into policy-relevant outcomes to support decision making.
SPIBES is part of the CABES initiative – Capacity Development for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Experts in West, Central, & East Africa in support of IPBES. CABES continues the activities of WABES, which trained has trained thirty graduates on the science-policy interface for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
Language of instruction
As an International MSc. programme, all courses of the SPIBES programme are taught in English. English proficiency is necessary.
What we offer – Language courses
At the start of the programme, successful candidates from francophone and lusophone countries will receive intensive English language training at the University Félix Houphouët-Boigny (UFHB), Côte d’Ivoire. Non-francophone students will be offered French language classes. These language courses are designed to provide our students with a thorough and practical understanding of both the English and French languages, as well as various cultures and traditions, so as to foster regional scientific collaborations and networking.
Scholarship and research support
The scholarship and research support will be provided following the criteria below:
- A stipend of € 350 per month will be paid to all selected candidates for the duration of the programme (24 months). Kindly note that during the 2-month language training programme, only half the stipend amount will be paid.
- Tuition fees and health insurance will be covered throughout the programme.
- Tuition fees and health insurance will be covered throughout the programme.
- Each student will be provided with a laptop computer to support the courses and research activities.
Furthermore, SPIBES promises a learning environment with:
- relevant scientific knowledge;
- strong regional and international networks;
- quality teaching and research infrastructures;
- quality and accredited academic training programmes;
- training through an approach centred on experiential learning;
Who can apply?
The course is open to nationals from countries in West, Central, & East Africa with a Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in natural and social sciences (biology, ecology, climate, economics, law, sociology, geography and equivalent disciplines). Candidates must be under 30 years old, unless they have established professional experience or female candidates that have children.
DEGREE-AWARDING INSTITUTION: The University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny (UFHB), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (SPIBES MSc. Programme, West Africa).
CABES Masters Scholarship Programme 2022 Document Requirement
- A motivational letter, including information on academic and personal qualification(s) as well as interests in research in the Science-Policy Interface on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for Sustainable Development, and supporting the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A copy of University degree(s) and the Baccalaureate or equivalent secondary school certificate;
- Provide the name and contact of a reference person in degree institution;
Application procedure and contact
Candidates MUST apply online via the CABES application portal (http://www.cabes.online). Applicants are expected to fill out the online application form and upload relevant application documents as a single PDF file (max file size: 6 MB).
