The 2nd call for proposals for the UM6P/EPFL EXAF 100 PhDs for Africa programme is open.

The UM6P/EPFL EXAF 100 PhDs for Africa is one of the three pillars of the Excellence in Africa initiative. It is designed to fund science and engineering graduates intending to complete a PhD at an African higher education institution.

PhD candidates benefiting from a UM6P/EPFL EXAF 100 PhDs for Africa fellowship will be jointly supervised by a professor employed by their African home institution and by an EPFL professor. They may spend short time periods at the EPFL in the laboratory of their EPFL co-supervisor, but will chiefly conduct their doctoral studies and their thesis research in Africa. Their degree will be solely awarded by their home institution.

18 April 2023 (17:00 UTC +2)

Tentative timeline:
Notification of pre-selected applicants June 2023
Interviews of pre-selected applicants by EPFL professors will be conducted between July and August 2023
Results are expected by October 2023.
(Depending on the number of applications received, the decision dates may change.

Fields of Study

The programme is open for

• PhD projects in all disciplines that are taught at EPFL within its doctoral school;
• to science and engineering graduates.

Who Can Apply?

• Be a national of an African country;
• Hold a Master’s degree awarded after the 1^st of January 2020 or must be enrolled in his/her final year of master study and will most likely complete his/her Master’s degree within the next six months after the deadline of this call for proposal (18th of October 2023); 
• The Master’s degree must be awarded from a higher education institution in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) or in one of the disciplines that are taught as a subject of advanced research at EPFL;
• Applicants who already started a PhD can apply if they have been registered as doctoral students less than six months before the deadline of this call for proposal (i.e. registration after the 18th of October 2022);
• Have an outstanding academic track record;
• Be enrolled in an African academic institution when the fellowship will start, and reside in an African country for the duration of the PhD;
• Have the endorsement of a professor of their home institution who is willing and entitled to supervise their doctoral thesis for its full duration. This professor must hold a PhD and have a strong record in research training and mentorship;
• The PhD fellow must participate in webinars, workshops, conferences, summer schools organized by the UM6P or other events organized by the 100 PhDs for Africa programme and can be invited to present their research;
• Female researchers are particularly encouraged to apply.

The programme awards funding of a maximum of 80’000 Swiss francs in total for a period of at most 54 months.

Eligible costs include and are limited to:

• Living allowance;
• Tuition fees;
• Research costs;
• Conference, summer school and workshop costs;
• Costs related to joint supervision.

Applicants must submit their application with all required documents via the on-line submission platform.

Please read carefully the application guidelines.

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