AI4D Scholarship Enhancing Doctoral and Early Career
Research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
(ML) in Sub-Saharan Africa by Women Candidates

 Background

The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) has received a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to support the scholarship of women candidates in sub-Saharan Africa. The funding will support the training of PhD students in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) as well as the research work of Early Career Academics in AI & ML. The research work within this program must be in AI that addresses any of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The award of the scholarships shall strive to achieve uniform
distribution of beneficiaries across Francophone, Anglophone and
Lusophone sub-Saharan Africa. There will also be an effort to
achieve fair distribution in terms of region. The supported studies
MUST adhere to responsible AI

Data Collection;

In order to develop solutions with predictive, diagnostic, and generative precision, the studies must be solution facing, have a carefully defined problem definition that involves a user community, and follow a systematic data collection regime that will yield high-quality data. It should be noted that thorough and accurate data collection with user communities is the primary factor that ensures a solution’s usability and, consequently, its success in deployment. The data collected in this project will be made available to the grant manager and published to support future research activities in accordance with  with IDRC Open Access Policy. You will also need to demonstrate active efforts to deploy the solutions outside of the studies.

Eligible Countries:

Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso,
Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad,
Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of
Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini (Formerly Known as
Swaziland), Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, The Ghana, Guinea,
Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi,
Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger,
Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles,
Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia,
Zimbabwe

    Scholarship

This opportunity is open to all public universities supporting advanced studies and research in AI (or any of its derivatives). Please read details of each category and click the link to the category of the scholarship that you wish to pursue and follow the subsequent application instructions.

Eligibility

1.  Applicant must be a woman
2.        All applicants must be already registered in an AI study (machine learning, expert system, natural
   language processing, intelligent robotics etc.) under a supervisor, have finished coursework as well
   as had their research proposal approved. The applicant must attach a letter of support by their
   supervisor, a copy of the PhD study admission letter and evidence of approval of research
   proposal.
   
3. All applicants must have the technical capacity – or the ability to create sustainable AI solutions
   addressing social challenges faced by user communities.
   
4. All applicants should have competent academic credentials and demonstrate motivation and
   commitment to pursue an academic career.
   
5. All applicants should have thorough knowledge of the language of instruction within their host
   university. (French, Portuguese or English).
   
6. All applicants must be nationals or permanent residents of an eligible sub-Saharan country. (See the
   list of eligible countries above).
   
7. All applicants must have all necessary national or other approvals to conduct the proposed research.
   Please note, the approval p

BENEFITS

A partial scholarship of up to $28,000 USD will be awarded to each successful student, as indicated below:
1. Two-year tuition costs of up to $4,000.

2. Research up to twenty-four thousand dollars
The funding period is 24 months.

APPLY VIA THIS LINK