Thomas Sankara PhD Scholarships

1. Supervision and Research:

Building on the successful first project phase, the GPN Graduate School offers an interesting graduate program in which the Thomas Sankara Scholars are supervised by professors from two different partner universities of the GPN. The supervisors are selected by the doctoral students on the basis of thematic preferences. If the supervisors agree and all formalities have been clarified, supervision is agreed.

At least two to three (virtual) supervision meetings take place per year during the doctoral or scholarship period. As part of their research, doctoral candidates also have the opportunity to spend six months at the second supervisor's partner university. There is also the possibility of field research or conference funding.

In addition to supervision by the specialist supervisors, there is a close connection to the GPN Graduate School. In this context, annual one-to-one meetings are also held with the scholarship holders and the Graduate School coordinator in order to identify any problems or need for action at an early stage and to support the doctoral students. In addition, there are already alumni from the first project phase who are willing to act as mentors.

In addition to the Graduate School's graduate program, the regular colloquia on the scholarship holders' research projects also offer special support. Another component is the exchange within the GPN network as part of the GPN Tea Times. The Tea Times are a regular opportunity to discuss current research projects or practical examples from NGOs throughout the network.

Overall, the Graduate School and the GPN offer a broad network of expertise and support for its Thomas Sankara scholarship holders.
 

2. Virtual PhD training program:

The doctoral students of the GPN Graduate School are geographically located at the respective partner universities (see above) and must be admitted there as doctoral students of the GPN university of their first supervisor. As scholarship holders, however, they all take part in the regular virtual PhD workshops (graduate program) and colloquia of the GPN Graduate School and are involved in the lively scientific exchange and activities within the GPN network (e.g. Tea Time). There is a close exchange within the PhD's within the Graduate School. Here there is the opportunity to find research partners and good colleagues and also to discuss research questions and results. It is also possible to meet and exchange ideas in person as part of the mobilities or GPN conferences. A lively exchange takes place within the GPN network - a global network spanning several countries offers GPN Thomas Sankara scholarship holders the unique opportunity to complete their doctoral project within a network and yet within a cohort with other doctoral students and links to the Graduate School.

3. Scholarship:

- Funding period of 3 years with a possible extension to a maximum of 4 years (but not beyond December 2029); Conditional / provisional admission to the Graduate School for the first year of funding. If the formal and content-related conditions are met, the scholarship will be extended accordingly for a further two years. An extension to a fourth year is possible after application and justification.

- A country-specific monthly living stipend according to the DAAD surplace/third country rates.

- Research allowance of 460 €/year (230 € in the 4th year).

- It is possible to apply for additional funding for field research and participation in conferences.

Take a look at the experiences of some of our doctoral scholarship holders from the first phase of the Global Partnership Network.