The Structural Transformation of African Agriculture and Rural Spaces (STAARS) Fellowship Program

Background

The Structural Transformation of African Agriculture and Rural Spaces (STAARS) fellowship program, a multi-institution collaboration managed by Cornell University in collaboration with the University of Sussex and the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), announces its annual call for research proposals. Early-career African researchers selected as STAARS Fellows in 2022 advance rigorous, policy-oriented research on the causal determinants of productivity and income growth, asset accumulation, rural employment and risk management in African agriculture and rural spaces.

Scope of Research and Geographic Focus

Prospective STAARS Fellows are invited to develop proposals in the following thematic areas for empirical work on Africa south of the Sahara:

  1. Dynamics of agricultural inputs use, technological change, and productivity growth
  2. Rural factor market performance, labor exits and productivity
  3. Agri-food systems and value chains, their performance and evolution
  4. Food security, nutrition and health linkages
  5. Poverty dynamics and resilience against shocks
  6. Sustainable natural resources management

Eligibility

  • The call is open for early career African researchers, either Ph.D. students in their final year prior to degree completion or preferably those who completed their Ph.D. no earlier than 2017.
  • Priority is given to researchers who are African nationals based and working in – or soon returning to – Africa, with proposals relating to the research themes indicated above.
  • Qualified female researchers are particularly encouraged to apply.
  • STAARS welcomes applications from fresh Ph.D. graduates who can benefit from mentorship and additional training to become internationally respected and recognized researchers.
  • Fellows are expected to complete the proposed project by submitting findings as a draft working paper by December 15, 2022, and proceeding to submit the paper to a peer-reviewed journal and/or conferences by June 30, 2023.

Funding

The selected applicants will receive funds to cover travel and participation in a three-week mentorship program at Cornell University or the University of Sussex. Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel may not be possible in 2022. The 2022 program of research coordination and professional development training will begin online and we will evaluate the feasibility of travel in mid-2022.

Application Process

Applicants should submit their completed proposals via the STAARS online application link. Accepted applicants will be notified by early May 2022.

For detailed information visit; http://barrett.dyson.cornell.edu/staars/staars-fellowships.html

The deadline to submit a research proposal is March 15, 2022 at 11:59 PM New York time.

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