Third Call for Scholarship Application
MSc, Academic/Administrative Staff and Trainees positions
in the framework of the Intra Africa ORPHAN project
Application Deadline
Applications open: January 16, 2026
1. Context
The sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region is on a very low pace of the achievements the nutrition and sustainable development goals. The alarming food and nutritional security situation in the region caused by the growing population in SSA and worsen by the negative effects of climate change on agri-food systems calls for innovative approaches.
SSA is endowed with a huge diversity of species known as orphan crops that have the potential to address food scarcity caused by climate change due to their adaptability and nutritional value in low-input agricultural systems. Despite this potential, modern agricultural systems in SSA depends only on 1% of the crop diversity available to feed 60% of the population.
ORPHAN Project
Mobility for high skilled scientists and entrepreneurs on orphan crops in higher education for accelerated climate change solutions in Africa
ORPHAN Scholarship Program is an initiative of five highly qualified public universities from three African regions and one university in Europe to advance knowledge on orphan crops through digital agriculture.
Coordinated by: University of Nangui Abrogoua (Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire)
Partner Universities
- University of Nangui Abrogoua, Cote d'Ivoire
- University of Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin
- Ebonyi State University, Nigeria
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
- University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
- Catholic University of Louvain (UCL), Belgium (Technical partner)
Project Objectives
- Train high-profile graduates with skills in plant breeding, food technology and nutrition to address challenges related to climate change and agrifood systems
- Harmonize training programs and research agenda on the improvement of the value chain of orphan crops for food and nutrition security in Africa
- Enhance national - regional - international collaboration that promotes orphan crops research and training for agricultural innovations in Africa
2. Profile of the Proposed Positions
MSc Students - Credit Seeking Mobility
MSc students who have finished coursework in their home institution (or will finish before departure) and will conduct research work in a selected host institution. After completing research activities, the student will return to their home country to defend their thesis.
Academic/Administrative Staff
The academic/administrative staff are employed persons in one of the Higher Education Institutions involved in the ORPHAN project.
They will be selected based on the needs expressed in their motivation letter, their background, and the importance of the capacity-building activity for their home institution.
They will be asked to provide a plan to share the acquired knowledge from the mobility with other staff of their home institution.
Trainees
Trainees are students enrolled in a bachelor/master/PhD programme in one of the African beneficiaries HEIs. The objective is to improve their entrepreneurship in Plant breeding, Biotechnology or Nutrition, Food Technology.
Learning Outcomes:
- Development of business and management skills
- Increased potential for innovation, creation of agribusinesses, and entrepreneurial ventures
- Climate-smart agriculture practices and hands-on skills in enterprise
3. Scholarship: Duration and Financial Support
MSc Students
Duration: Max 12 months
Staff Members
Duration: Max 2 months
Trainees
Duration: Max 3 months
What is covered:
- Subsistence allowances
- Research costs and tuition fees (MSc and Staff only)
- Costs related to training
- Participation to conferences (with approval)
- Insurance costs
Note: Scholarship holders will bear the cost of their flight ticket (round-trip). The monthly stipend has been revised to cover travel costs.
4. Eligibility
MSc Eligibility
- Must be national of and resident in an African country
- Proficiency in Plant breeding, Biotechnology, Human Nutrition and Food Technologies or related fields
- Registered in a HEI from ORPHAN consortium (Target Group 1) or another African HEI (Target Group 2)
- Sufficient knowledge of English or French
- Completed first two semesters of MSc course
Staff & Trainees Eligibility
Trainees: Must be enrolled in bachelor/master/PhD programme in one of the beneficiary HEIs
Staff: Must be working in one of the beneficiary HEIs
Language courses will be offered to help students improve their skills.
5. Available Scholarships
MSc Positions
Target Group 1 & 2
Staff Positions
Target Group 1 only
Trainee Positions
Target Group 1 only
6. Required Documents
For All Applicants:
- ✓ Cover letter
- ✓ Scholarship Application form
- ✓ National ID or Passport copy
- ✓ Support letter from home HEI
- ✓ Two recommendation letters
- ✓ Detailed CV
- ✓ Language certificate (if available)
- ✓ Previous transcript records
Position-Specific Documents:
MSc: Research proposal, First year MSc transcripts, Proof of enrollment in second year
Staff: Study work plan, Certificate of previous degree, Employment certificate
Trainees: Clear motivation on learning outcomes, Proof of enrollment
7. Contacts
Republic of Benin
University of Abomey-Calavi
Prof. Nadia Fanou Fogny
nadia.fanou@uac.bj
Prof. Nicodeme Fassinou Hotegni
nicodemef@gmail.com
Nigeria
Ebonyi State University
Prof. Happiness Oselebe
h.oselebe@ebsu.edu.ng
Prof. Catherine V. Nnamani
nnamanicatherine@ebsu.edu.ng
8. Deadline & Timeline
Submit your application to:
Copy to: nadia.fanou@uac.bj and christelferreolazon@gmail.com
Timeline
Applications open
Applications screening for eligibility
Applications assessment
Interviews
Outcome of the selection
Travel to host country
Diversity and Equity
ORPHAN fosters diversity and gender equity at the work place. Therefore, female candidates and persons from socio-economic vulnerable groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Download Application Documents
Call for Application 2025
Download the complete call for application document with all details about eligibility, scholarship amounts, required documents and deadlines.
Download PDFPDF Document - 2 MB