VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT AMSTERDAM – NRF SOUTH AFRICA
DESMOND TUTU DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Background
The Desmond Tutu Doctoral Training Programme (DTTP) was established in honour of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s lifetime struggle against inequality and his quest for reconciliation. The National Research Foundation (NRF) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VUA) entered into a partnership in 2009 to co-fund South African students carrying out doctoral studies in a Joint Degree (split-site) mode.
Aims of the DTTP
The rationale of the DTTP is that VUA joins forces with its South African partners, to build human capital in selected research fields that are of mutual interest. The DTTP also aims to strengthen co-operation between VUA and South African partner universities through joint supervision of South African doctoral candidates. At VUA, the supervision is carried out by the Desmond Tutu Chairs as well as other Faculty staff whose research interests are aligned with the objectives and the of the programme. Bridging Diversities for Academic Advancement’ is the overarching theme of the DTTP. The aim is to contribute to a more equal world by integral thinking in which diversities are considered enriching rather than threatening. Bridging diversities means making connections: the programme stands for dialogue and engaged scholarship. Research undertaken in this programme aims to provide a safe space for thinking through the ambiguities and paradoxes of diversities. The theme is conceptualised with an aspiration to make a difference to society and ‘academic advancement’ is understood as relevant to, and serving the improvement of society.
The following two themes will be key areas for research projects:
1. Prosperous Societies:
Research themes: food industry; HIV; identities; reconciliation; security; service delivery; development of high potentials; culture and communication; corporate social responsibility.
2. Sustainable Energy:
Research themes: environment; sustainability; climate change; natural resource management; energy provision.
Priority will be given to the above-mentioned themes or any combination of themes, in such a way that ‘pockets’ of research will emerge. Applications from candidates intending to pursue doctoral studies in the following specific areas (linked to the themes outlined above) will be considered:
- Economics
- Theology
- Human Movement Sciences
- Social Sciences/Sport Sciences
- Medicine
- Earth & Life Sciences
- Sciences
- Law
The format of the Programme is a sandwich programme in which students will:
- Register and obtain their research doctoral degrees in the form of a Joint Degree between VU Amsterdam and a partner South African Higher Education Institution;
- Be jointly supervised by academic researchers at VUA and a South African Higher Education Institution;
- If required, complete required course work for doctoral studies both in South Africa and in the Netherlands;
- Spend between one (1) and two (2) months per year over a period of four (4) years at VUA to undertake course and thesis related work, if necessary with an additional stay of six (6) months maximum in Amsterdam in the final year of their studies; and
- Carry out their research in South Africa, with a restricted amount of teaching obligations (where applicable) on the basis of an agreement between the NRF and the employing South African Higher Education Institution.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted electronically on the NRF Online Submission System at https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za/. Please see attached guidelines for further information.
Application Dates:
Call Opens: 03 June 2015 and closes on 17 July 2015.
Where can I obtain more information?
For Funding Instrument related queries:
Ms Gugu Dube, Professional Officer: Human and Infrastructure Capacity Development, Telephone: 012 481 4169, Email: gugu.dube@nrf.ac.za
For Grant Management Systems and Administration related queries:
Ms Onicca Motsepe, Liaison Officer: Scholarships and Fellowships, Telephone: 012 418 4112, Email: onicca@nrf.ac.za
For Reviews and Evaluation related queries:
Mr Sam Sibiya, Liaison Officer: Reviews and Evaluations, Telephone: 012 481 4307, Email: sam.sibiya@nrf.ac.za
For more information, please download the following information documents:
List of available research projects under DTTP
