The Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies, BIGSAS, invites outstanding female African scholars based on the continent to join an international community of early career researchers working in the field of African Studies. BIGSAS provides a centre for creative and innovative doctoral training based on the inter- and multi-disciplinary research environment of the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bayreuth.
In 2022, BIGSAS is awarding two scholarships within the Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP) provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). For these, BIGSAS will nominate candidates who have successfully passed the application procedure. The final selection on the scholarship will be made by the DAAD. The scholarship periods begin in October 2022 at the earliest (including a German language course starting in summer 2022, if applicable). The scholarships are awarded for a total scholarship period of up to four years.
Universität Bayreuth Information
Founded in 1972, Universität Bayreuth (University of Bayreuth) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large town of Bayreuth (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Bavaria. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst (Bavarian State Ministry for Science and Art), Universität Bayreuth (UBT) is a medium-sized (uniRank enrollment range: 9,000-9,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Universität Bayreuth (UBT) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 47 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 30-40% making this German higher education organization a very selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications can only be taken into consideration if the following documents are provided (in English, French or German) and meet the requested specifications. We do accept one PDF file per category not exceeding 2 MB.
- Project proposal, including the aims of the dissertation, a detailed work and time schedule for the project, ten pages at a max. Please include your name, page number and title of the proposal on each page. The proposal should also include a one-page summary of the proposal in English.
- Motivation letter, one page, explaining why you apply for BIGSAS.
- Soft copy of your written and graded Master’s or equivalent thesis.
- Two recommendation letters, authors need to be from the applicant's academic background and mentioned with title and university/institute. Letters have to be signed personally by the authors.
- Curriculum Vitae, showing your academic progress and qualification(s) in detail.
- Supervision agreement with a Member of BIGSAS detailing the framework conditions of the doctoral relationship (download the form in English or German language here). Please make sure that all necessary boxes are filled in. Otherwise, the agreement is considered incomplete.
- Self-declaration that you have not been accepted for a doctorate at another university or are enrolled at another university or university of applied sciences.
- Secondary School Graduation Certificate / Higher Education Entrance Certificate
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent degree including complete pages of the transcript of records (e.g. Licence ou Maîtrise, a certified copy is requested).
- Master's Degree or equivalent degree including complete pages of the transcript of records (e.g. DEA or DESS, a certified copy is requested).
- List of academic publications (if available).
NOTE; Applicants must have a very good Master’s or equivalent degree. The last Master’s or equivalent degree must have been obtained within the last six years at the time of nomination by BIGSAS. The application must be accompanied by two reports (letters of recommendation) from teaching faculty members at the home universities.
Application Process
Applicants should not have been resident in Germany for more than fifteen months at the time of nomination. While applications may be submitted in German, English or French, do please note that the working language of BIGSAS is English.
Required Documents:
- Project proposal
- Motivation letter
- Soft copy of your written and graded Master’s or equivalent thesis.
- Two recommendation letters
- Curriculum Vitae
- Supervision agreement
- Self-declaration that you have not been accepted for a doctorate at another university or are enrolled at another university or university of applied sciences.
- Secondary School Graduation Certificate / Higher Education Entrance Certificate
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent degree
- Master's Degree or equivalent degree
- List of academic publications
Founded in 1972, Universität Bayreuth (University of Bayreuth) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large town of Bayreuth (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Bavaria. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst (Bavarian State Ministry for Science and Art), Universität Bayreuth (UBT) is a medium-sized (uniRank enrollment range: 9,000-9,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Universität Bayreuth (UBT) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 47 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 30-40% making this German higher education organization a very selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.