Call for applications: Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project scholarships

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP) is a Government of Uganda Project implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and its agencies, the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) and Department of Meteorology (DOM). The project development objective (PDO) is to increase productivity, market access and resilience of select value chains in the project area and to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency.

Under component 1, sub-component 1.4a on Institutional and Capacity Strengthening for Public Agricultural Research Institutes (PARIs) under NARO, NAGRIC&DB, DOM and MAAIF the project is supporting training of Masters and Doctoral Students to address the human resource capacity gaps in the fields of Climate Smart Agriculture, and to build a critical mass of scientists to contribute to improving Climate Smart Agricultural research and innovation capacities. The project will offer PhD and Masters scholarships to prospective students in any of the reputable public universities in Uganda, with their research tailored to the project thematic areas.

SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS
The Project will support students by providing funds for study in thematic areas as detailed below:

2.1 Number of Awards
Twenty (20) Doctoral and forty (40) Masters scholarships will be awarded in climate-smart related thematic areas in reputable public universities in Uganda, though a window may be provided for a few slots abroad for unique and specialized climate-smart related courses.

2.2 Thematic Research Areas
Scholarships for training in the following areas shall be prioritized;

1. Animal genomics, reproductive physiology, biotechnology, biomedical courses, feeding systems, fish health management, and waste management to enhance livestock productivity and resilience.
2. Plant biochemistry, plant physiology and toxicology.
3. Seed science, seed systems and post-harvest technologies to promote adaptive agriculture.
4. Soil chemistry, pedology, and agricultural engineering sciences.
5. Genomics, breeding, feed innovation, and biotechnology to advance resilient and sustainable aquaculture and capture fisheries.
6. Genomics, conservation, and the potential use of beneficial insects as alternative food and feed, alongside their ecosystem roles in agriculture.
7. Irrigation, agro-processing, smallholder mechanization, and renewable energy technologies for sustainable farming systems.
8. Agro-meteorology, climate modelling, data science, and monitoring systems for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in crop, livestock, Fisheries and beneficial Insects value chains.
9. Optimizing value chain management, reducing post-harvest losses, and improving product marketability.
10. Socio-economics, impact studies and Commodity market linkages systems.

Other climate-related thematic areas that contribute to the project development goal shall be supported.

3.0 PROFILE OF APPLICANTS

3.1 The PhD applicants’ profile

1. Aged 45 years or below at the time of submission of the application.
2. Hold at least an honors bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Aquaculture fisheries, Animal science, Veterinary, environmental science/Natural Sciences, climate change, agricultural engineering, meteorology, economics, Agribusiness or any other closely related field.
3. A record of scientific publication in peer reviewed journal is desired and possession of additional publications is an added advantage.
4. Capacity to effectively defend a concept note before the selection panel.
5. Female candidates are specifically encouraged to apply.

3.2 MSc applicants’ profile

1. Aged 35 years or below at the time of submission of the application.
2. Hold at least an Honors Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, fisheries aquaculture, Animal science, Veterinary, environmental science/Natural Sciences, Agricultural engineering, climate change, meteorology, agribusiness or economics or any other closely related field
3. Female candidates are specifically encouraged to apply.

4.0 ELIGIBILITY

1. The call is eligible to all staff (core and project) of the participating partner institutions.
2. Applicants must be Ugandan nationals
3. Scholarships will run for a period of 2 years for Masters and 3 or 4 years for PhD depending on the programme. 

5.0 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants that fulfil the aforementioned criteria should submit the following requirements; 

1. A statement of motivation describing why you think you should be supported to undertake the training (500 words).
2. A resume (2 pages maximum)
3. Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts.
4. A letter of recommendation from the current employer/immediate supervisor.
5. A letter from an academic referee supporting your application
6. Copy of a valid National Identity Card or Passport
7. A concept note of no more than 2 pages for Masters, and 5 pages for PhD applicants (Times New Roman, Font 12, 1.5 spaced). The concept note must include a title for the proposed study, brief background highlighting key literature, research problem, main research question(s)/objectives, methodology and a list of key references.
8. A link to the publication in the case of PhD applicants

6.0 APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications should be addressed and delivered to: The Director General, NARO Secretariat, Plot 11-13 Lugard Avenue, P.O. BOX 295, Entebbe not later than 05:00pm on March 6, 2025.  Any submissions after this deadline shall not be considered.

Contact for further information
Any clarification regarding this call should be sent to;

Dr. Yona Baguma
Director General, NARO
Email: dg@naro.go.ug