Resident scholars

The primary mission of EGI Resident Scholars Program is to facilitate an entry into environmental conservation research and the production of original, publishable scholarship by junior academics. Our aim is to build the capacity of successful candidates in specific environmental aspects. Resident scholars may approach their research from different disciplinary perspectives such as law, governance, policy, education, economics, sociology and anthropology. Particularly, EGI resident scholars will be encouraged and mentored to participate in interdisciplinary research endeavours on cross-cutting themes such as biodiversity conservation, climate change and freshwater resources. In so doing young researchers will contribute to promoting the conceptual development of environmental conservation in Cameroon, Africa and internationally.

Since its creation EGI is dedicated to advancing knowledge and promote learning for policy making to meet the challenges of environmental conservation and sustainable development. To fulfil this mandate, EGI recruits an in-house community of scholars mandated to research issues at the intersection of societal and natural systems. In this regard, EGI is, forward-looking and takes a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving.

EGI offers Postgraduate students a unique opportunity to broaden their perspectives to other related scientific fields, and to expose them to international research and policy-making circles.

The Fellowship Programme provides the successful applicant with a unique opportunity to:

  • develop and advance their research under the supervision a seasoned researcher and contribute to the overall research agenda of the Institute
  • advance your understanding of some of the most pressing environmental challenges and propose strategies to address them from a cross-disciplinary perspective
  • contribute to developing innovative solutions to urgent global, regional and national environmental problems
  • widen their research interests and professional networks by working in the international and multi-disciplinary context of EGI, and with its wider network of research institutes, as well as international collaborators
  • become exposed to the workings of the international and multilateral research and policy process
  • link with other EGI Resident Scholars.

The Scholars are resident at EGI in Buea, Cameroon for the full term of the Residency. This gives them the opportunity to gain from the broader research programme of lectures, seminars, workshops and conferences arranged by EGI. The Institute’s close links with international Professors key universities and think tanks in around the world also allow Scholars to link into the broader academic and research community.

Strategic Research Focus 

The purpose of the EGI Resident Scholar Program is to provide young scholars and policy-makers, especially from the developing world, with a multidisciplinary context within which to pursue advanced research and training that are of professional interest to the applicant and of direct relevance to the research agenda of EGI. Research proposals for EGI Resident Scholarship should therefore relate clearly to one of the current research areas of the Institute, as well as aim to be policy relevant. Research proposals are invited in the following and related areas:

  • Conservation of Forests and Biological Diversity
  • Access and Benefit Sharing
  • Biotechnology and Traditional Knowledge
  • Climate Change Adaptation
  • Sustainable Development Governance
  • Governance of Freshwater Resources and Access to Water
  • Environmental Conflict Resolution 
  • Alternative Energy Resources and Access to Energy

 Eligibility and Conditions

Applicants must be at least in the final year of their Masters Studies or PhD Candidates. Language proficiency in English is essential. Applicants from developing countries and women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Resident Scholars stay for a period of 6-12 months. Scholars are provided with their own desk in a dedicated study room in the Institute, administrative support and desktop computing. Scholars have access to the EGI Resource Centre in Buea which includes an excellent collection of research materials. A limited range of other, more specialised computer hardware and software may also be available.

Scholars carry out their research in Buea and will spend about half of their working hours on their research and the remaining half assisting the Institute’s projects and activities.

Starting Date and Deadline for Applications

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Prospective candidates are however advised to apply at least 3 months prior to the intended commencement date.

To Apply

Interested and eligible candidates are invited to submit a complete application consisting of the following documents:

  1. Completed Application Form: Word Document or PDF Document
  2. An abstract, not to exceed 200 words, describing the purpose, goals, and objectives of their project.
  3. A proposal, no more than five double-spaced pages in length. The proposal should describe what is to be accomplished during the residency, the status of the applicant’s research on the topic, and the significance of the work.
  4. A short bibliography, not to exceed one page, of references cited in proposal.
  5. A curriculum vitae, not to exceed four single-spaced pages.

In addition, you will need to ask two people qualified to comment on your work for letters of recommendation. Be prepared to provide your recommenders’ email addresses and other contact information; they will be required to submit their letters directly to EGI.

Applications and requests for clarifications and additional information should be sent to:applications(at)engov-institute.org

 Selection Criteria and Process

Applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria:

  1. the research objectives of the applicant and the quality of the research proposal
  2. the relevance of the research proposal to the ongoing or planned research activities of the applicant’s selected Research Programme at EGI
  3. the applicant’s academic merit and the potential for successful research while at EGI 

NB: After the initial review of all completed applications, short-listed candidates will be contacted for a telephone or Skype interview.