INTRODUCTION
The African Research Fellowship (ARF) program, jointly carried by ESA with the African Union Commission, was successfully initiated in 2021 with six African Fellows having completed their research at ESA. The program aims to empower African Researchers (PhD or Master degree with extensive research experience in EO) to engage in Earth Observation (EO) R&D activities relevant for the Africa challenges. The African Research Fellows are expected to maximize the use of EO data, integrating it with in-situ data and state-of-the-art modeling approaches in a cloud environment, to address key challenges facing the African continent, particularly in the areas of water resource management and food security.
With this call, ESA offers 1-year fellowships to four African researchers to work at the ESA-ESRIN premises in Frascati (Rome, Italy) in collaboration with ESA scientists. Activities in Frascati must begin no later than June 2025.
OBJECTIVE
EO AFRICA (African Framework for Research, Innovation, Communities, and Applications) aims to build a robust African-European R&D partnership to promote the adoption of Earth Observation and space technology across Africa. This initiative is aligned with the operational GMES & Africa program, led by the African Union Commission (AUC). Driven by African user needs, EO AFRICA adopts a long-term vision (>10 years) for the emerging digital era in Africa. The program empowers the next generation of African researchers to develop innovative, evidence-based solutions using EO data, enabling policymakers and civil society to address social, environmental, and economic issues.
The African Research Fellowship seeks to achieve this by:
- Supporting R&D activities that leverage EO data, addressing major African challenges and knowledge gaps, which can contribute to both African and global environmental and development agendas.
- Promoting the use of ICT capabilities to maximize the exploitation of EO data in Africa, while encouraging an open science approach that emphasizes the sharing of data, results, and knowledge throughout the value chain.
RESEARCH AREAS
Applicants are invited to propose a 1-year R&D project focused on Water Resource Management or Food Security, utilizing Earth Observation satellite data. Proposals addressing smallholder needs (e.g., farming, agricultural water use, regenerative agriculture, water productivity, irrigation systems, nutrient management, pest infestations) or issues related to coastal processes (e.g., ecosystems, coastal waters, geomorphology, coastal urbanization, tourism) and fisheries (e.g., aquaculture, habitat suitability, algal blooms, impacts of climate change) are especially encouraged.
The research activities will be aligned with the EO AFRICA R&D Initiative, which provides training and scientific tools for the selected African research fellows. The EO AFRICA Space Academy and its Digital Campus will offer access to a wealth of expertise and resources to support the research fellows. Additionally, the EO AFRICA Innovation Lab will facilitate collaboration between African research fellows and European scientists to implement their research ideas.
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Research Proposal (use the template provided with the ARF package)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) including a list of recent publications (maximum 3 pages)
- Copy of valid Identification (preferably passport)
- Scan of PhD or Master’s Diploma
- Two (2) Reference Letters
Please download the following zip file, which contains:
- Technical information on the general tasks covered by the proposal and logistical aspects
- Proposal submission template
- Privacy notice
Download the package to apply for the call
IMPORTANT DATES
Open call 23 September 2024
Submission of Proposals 30 October 2024
Communication of Acceptance January 2025
Beginning of Activities in Frascati June 2025
Any questions relating to this Call must be sent, by e-mail to arf@esa.int, not later than one (1) week before the Closing Date.
The call is now closed