The first call for applications closed on 20 April. More than 3,000 candidates expressed their interest by initiating an application on the submission platform. About 850 applications from 37 different African countries were finalised. Female applicants accounted for almost 30% of the total number of submitted applications. These figures are very encouraging and demonstrate the great interest in the programme across the African continent.
The evaluation of the applications is ongoing. The most excellent proposals will be submitted to EPFL professors for a co-supervision. The results of this first call for applications should be known this autumn, and the PhDs will be initiated afterwards.
The 100 PhDs for Africa programme is part of the Excellence in Africa (EXAF) initiative jointly launched by Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and EPFL. The programme aims to provide a financial support to students wishing to complete a doctoral thesis in Africa. Thanks to a co-supervision of EPFL and of their university, the beneficiaries of the programme will hold the keys to complete outstanding PhDs.
As we announced in March this year, the African Cities Lab is launching a call for projects to produce MOOCs on African cities and urban development, targeting a professional audience.
The deadline for applications is the 15th June 2021. Results are expected by September 2021.
For more details and to apply, please visit the Excellence in Africa website.