The Association of African Universities (AAU) is pleased to announce the extension of its 2007/2008 edition of the Small Grants for Dissertations and Theses Programme under the sponsorship of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The Programme is aimed at facilitating timely completion of research theses and dissertations, and improving the quality of research within its member institutions.

Eligibility: The Programme is open to graduate students, researchers, and lecturers registered in the nominating universities, and who are preparing dissertations/theses in fields of study that contribute to development, with special preference for the following themes:

Application Procedure: AAU member institutions in good standing on the payment of their subscriptions, are invited to nominate a maximum of TWO (2) candidates each, at least one of who must be female. At most one award will be made to any nominating institution. Applications should therefore indicate the degree of priority it attaches to each of its two nominees.

Research Proposal: An original/innovative research proposal of not more than 10 typewritten pages clearly outlining the Problem Statement, Literature Review, Methodology, Expected Results, a Work Plan and Timetable.

Status Report: Report indicating progress so far made on the thesis/dissertation, what remains to be done and the additional resources required to complete the project.

Budget: A detailed Budget with expenses clearly linked to specific phases of the proposed activity. The Budget should not exceed:

Apart from trips for fieldwork in the country in which the research is actually conducted, the funding cannot be used for travel abroad.