Thomas Sankara PhD Scholarships

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Thomas Sankara Portrait by the Beninois Artist Youss Atacora

The GPN has decided to name its doctoral scholarships after Thomas Sankara, a prominent figure of the Global South and former President of Burkina Faso (1983-1987), whose ideas and practices of resisting neo-colonialism and promoting independent paths for countries of the Global South are considered an inspiration for the work of the Global Partnership Graduate School.

General information: Find out more about Thomas Sankara and GPN

Further links

The application phase is open until October 31, 2025 (12:00 p.m., UTC +1).

The universities that contribute to the GPN

Universities participating in this call

Possible secondary institution

Who can apply?

As part of its Global Partnership Network Graduate School, the GPN invites students and interested parties from DAC countries to apply for a Thomas Sankara Doctoral Scholarship at one of the GPN partner universities under the umbrella of the Graduate School. PhD topics should be from the fields of Global Partnership in the World Economy (in agriculture, finance and energy), in Development Cooperation (access, accountability, inclusive participation) and/or in Knowledge Production (Eurocentrism and alternative knowledge).

Equal rights

The GPN strives to create equal opportunities for Doctoral candidates. We particularly encourage women and people from other social minorities to apply.

Research Topics

In the GPN, we draw attention to the shortcomings, limitations and problematic aspects of international partnerships, which have historically been shaped by colonial relations between North and South and sometimes still reflect them. In order to overcome this historical dynamic, a partnership approach needs to be reshaped towards a partnership based on mutual recognition and solidarity that is fit for the multipolar and post-colonial 21st century.

Possible PhD research projects can be derived from the following research clusters:

What does the GPN Thomas Sankara Scholarship offer?

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 candidates 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-on-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:

GPN Graduate School doctoral students are geographically located at the respective partner universities (see above) and must be admitted there as doctoral students of the GPN university of their primary 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.

3rd 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.

Application requirements

  • Nationality of a recipient country of development aid according to the OECD DAC list

  • A completed MA/MSc degree with very good results in a subject related to the above-mentioned topics; the applicant's last academic degree must not have been awarded more than six years ago;

  • If an applicant has already started their doctoral project, this must not have been more than three years ago;

  • Funding is only possible for the first doctorate. If you have already completed a doctorate, funding is not possible.

  • Very good knowledge of English (CEFR level: C1 or higher), proven by one of the following language certificates: TOEFL, with a minimum score of 95 IBT (internet-based test); IELTS 7.0 or higher; the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English or equivalent; native speakers and applicants who have completed their first degree entirely in English are not required to provide an English certificate; if the dissertation is written in a language other than English: very good command of English (CEFR level: B2 or higher) for participation in the Graduate School and GPN activities, proven by one of the language certificates just mentioned.

  • Academic or professional experience in one of the disciplines related to the subject area of global partnership.

  • For applicants for a doctoral scholarship at the University of Kassel: The applicant has not lived in Germany for more than 15 months (except for study purposes or as a recognized refugee).

Application procedure

The application process comprises three elements. Your application is only complete if all points are fulfilled:

Please attach the following documents in a single PDF file in English in English. Only complete applications in the order listed below will be accepted:

  • A detailed CV (including academic background, list of publications [if applicable], professional experience, language skills, volunteer activities);

  • a proposal for a PhD project (approx. 2000 words, including topic, research question, brief review of relevant literature, theoretical approach, research design and methodology, justified assignment to one of the three research clusters and possible supervisors from the GPN network. We ask you to refrain from contacting supervisors at this stage);

  • a timetable for the doctoral project with a preliminary table of contents;

  • a summary of the Master's thesis (approx. 1500 words);

  • a scanned copy of a certificate of English language proficiency, if required;

  • scanned copies of the following documents in the original language with attached translations, if the language of these documents is not German, English or French:

    • the certificate and transcript of records of your recognized Master's degree, listing all subjects and grades (if you have not yet completed your Master's degree, please submit only the transcript and replace the certificate with a letter from the program coordinator), confirming that you have already defended your Master's thesis and the date and probability of successful issuance of the degree);
    • the certificate and transcript of records of your recognized Bachelor's degree with details of all subjects and grades;
    • Certificates of completion of additional studies, including all subjects and grades, if applicable;
    • scanned copies of certificates of previous professional/work experience, if applicable.
  • Application data sheet
  • Signed declaration of good academic practice ("Declaration of good academic practice")

These components of your application must be submittedin the order listed above , with your CV first, followed by your project proposal, etc. All components of the application must be submitted in one/max. two pdf document(s) (use e.g. a pdf creator or your word processing program) of max. 10 MB. Submissions consisting of more than these two files cannot be accepted! However, the files must both be named correctly.

  • Please name the file as follows: name_first_name_CfA_Phd_01_dd.mm.yyyy
  • If you had to split the file, please name the second file as follows: name_first_name_CfA_Phd_02_dd.mm.yyyyy

To complete the online application form and upload your application documents (one/two pdf file(s)), please visit the following website (online survey tool of the University of Kassel, Germany).

Completing the online application and uploading your application documents is possible until the application deadline: October 31, 2025 (12:00, GMT+1).

The application must be completed in a single step. It is not possible to change or save it.

In addition to your application, two current letters of recommendation from professors, instructors, or others who can evaluate your academic performance must be submitted. The letters of recommendation must be signed by the recommenders and sent as a scanned copy from the recommender's e-mail account to the following address:

phdapplication.gpn[at]uni-kassel(dot)de

As in the letters themselves, your full name and "Letter of recommendation" should also be included in the e-mail reference line. The letters of recommendation must also be by October 31, 2025 at the latest be received by the GPN.

Successful applicants will be required to submit officially certified copies of all submitted documents and translations at a later date.

Contact

For more information or questions, please contact the GPN Graduate School staff:

E-Mail: phdapplication.gpn[at]uni-kassel[dot]de

Contact: Send to email