ICIPE 2023 PhD Scholarships for African Students

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Kenya invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for PhD scholarships in the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Sciences (ARPPIS).

icipe (www.icipe.org) is an African institute and a regional and global leader in research for development in insects and arthropods and their impacts, positive and negative, on food production, human and animal health, environmental sustainability and livelihoods. icipe works across the continent with a network of partners, including universities, NGOs, and the private sector. It has a staff of >500 based in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Benin. The Centre’s research is structured around four research health themes (Human, Animal, Plant and Environmental Health) and employs a diverse range of science disciplines to achieve impact.

African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Sciences (ARPPIS)

The primary objective of the ARPPIS PhD Programme is to prepare young researchers from Africa to be globally competitive in research and development environments within national, regional and international research programmes. At icipe, ARPPIS scholars are provided with excellent research facilities in an interdisciplinary environment within a structured, three-year PhD programme that includes research, training, developing research partnerships, publishing scientific articles, writing grant proposals, and attending scientific meetings and international conferences. Scholars conduct strategic, innovative research at icipe’s laboratories and field sites located in different agro-ecological zones.

Four (4) PhD positions are available at icipe to work innovations in the vegetable integrated push-pull technology and black soldier fly farming, as a One Health package that will increase production of cereals, the main staples for most households; as well as high-value vegetables, poultry and fish, which will augment the region’s largely starch-based diets, thus countering malnutrition and hidden hunger while protecting the environment.

The four PhD studies are part of the project “Scaling regenerative black soldier fly farming innovations with vegetable push-pull cropping systems for One Health in Rural Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda” granted to the International Centre of Insect Physiology Ecology (icipe) and funded by the IKEA Foundation. This is a four-year project support to icipe and partners to integrate and upscale black soldier fly farming with smallholder vegetable push-pull cropping for better agri-based livelihoods in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

• Table of Content
• About International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)
• ICIPE PhD Scholarships
• Aim and Benefits of ICIPE PhD Scholarships
• Requirements for ICIPE PhD Scholarships Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), stands as the enduring legacy of the late internationally renowned Kenyan scientist, Prof. Thomas Risley Odhiambo. Educated in Cambridge University, UK, Prof. Odhiambo completed a PhD in 1965 under the supervision of the guru of insect physiology, Vincent Wigglesworth, producing a ‘phenomenally productive’ thesis on the reproductive physiology of the desert locust, producing a series of 14 papers on the topic. He marked his arrival into the world of insect science through a sole-authored short comm... continue reading

ICIPE PhD Scholarships

Aim and Benefits of ICIPE PhD Scholarships

• Four ARPPIS PhD projects are available to nationals of sub-Saharan countries: see List of Projects
• The programme covers all student costs, including travel, living expenses, medical insurance, university fees and all research and training costs.
• Successful candidates Please note that successful candidates will develop a full proposal and register with a university after they commence their PhD programme at icipe.
• The PhD programme will commence in April 2023.

Requirements for ICIPE PhD Scholarships Qualification

• A citizen of a country in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Bachelor’s degree with above average results (at least Second Class/Upper Division or equivalent).
• Master’s degree with above average results (at least Second Class/Upper Division or equivalent), taken with both coursework and research in the field of natural sciences or other field relevant to the PhD project (see List of Projects).
• Additional requirements may apply depending on the PhD project selected by the applicant. For information on applicant requirements for each available project see List of Projects.
• Master’s degree must have been completed less than six years ago at the time of application.
• Completed application form, PhD project abstract (based on one of the available PhD projects), and accompanying supporting documents.
• Good working knowledge of written and spoken English.
• Clearly show motivation and strong commitment.
• Candidates who are staff members of a public university, or considered for university teaching or research staff recruitment, are encouraged to apply.
• Qualified female candidates and candidates from less privileged regions or groups as well as candidates with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

A. Download and complete the scholarship Application Form

1. To download the Application Form as a doc file click HERE
2. To download the Application Form as a docx file click HERE

B. Go to the online application platform by clicking HERE to apply and upload the following documents:

• Completed application form
• Curriculum Vitae (please use the Europass Format: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu)
• Certified copies of official university certificates and transcripts, and any other professional or academic certificates. Please combine into 1 file. If necessary, you may zip the file to make it smaller for uploading. For pdf files, can reduce the size using the online tool at https://smallpdf.com/compress-pdf
• Copy of a signed recommendation letter from your employer (if currently employed) or University where MSc was undertaken. The letter must be on institute letterhead.
• Close-up photograph in colour of your full head and upper shoulders (passport-style photograph)
• Copy of National ID
• For foreign nationals, copy of Passport biodata page (the page that has your picture and personal details)

For more details, visit ICIPE website.