Frequently Asked Questions

The ORPHAN project proposes to increase skills and qualifications of current and future professionals and practitioners in the consortium countries in orphan crops as solutions to climate change. To this end, ORPHAN project will build the capacity of young African scientists to promote/valorise (through plant breeding, food processing and development, nutrition) and capitalise on the potential of Africa's so-called orphan crops, which are already being used by smallholders and the rural population as a means of adaptation to strengthen their resilience in the face of climate change, but which have often been neglected by research programmes.

The ORPHAN project titled "Mobility for high skilled scientists and entrepreneurs on orphan crops in higher education for accelerated climate change solutions in Africa" intends to: 1) Train 12 high-profile PhD graduates, 32 MSc graduates, 10 academic staff and 10 trainees with skills in plant breeding, food technology and nutrition.

For PhD/MSc students: 1) the academic performance of the candidate (transcript records), checking of studied disciplines in line with the thematic of ORPHAN; 2) gender and economic background; 3) the candidate's motivation: integration of mobility in a professional and / or academic project; 4) the quality and relevance of students’ research proposal with regards to ORPHAN area of scope. 

For staff: 1) relevance of the residence program in relation to the prospects for improving the quality of education (Master) and / or research (PhD); 2) relevance of the residence program in relation to the prospects for improving student support (Master) and / or research (PhD); 3) relevance of the residence program in relation to the prospects of improving the implementation of the projects of the institution. They will be asked to explain how their mobility advantages will be shared with other staff in their home country institution who would not benefit from the mobility.

Trainees will be students enrolled in a Bachelor/Master/Doctorate programme in one of the African HEIs involved in the consortium

European Union 

The main language is English but the proposal in French is accepted

European Union

The students are allow to apply only for the university members of consortium “ORPHAN”

Nangui Abrogoua University

University of Abomey-Calavi

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Ebonyi State University

University of Zimbabwe

The scholarship includes subsistence allowances (including the return ticket of the students during his mobility, settling-in allowances), participation costs, contribution to research costs and insurance in line with EACEA procedures. 

• PhD students will receive a monthly stipend of 1230 Euros. This also includes (1) travels cost to and from the host institution and (2) settling allowance.
• MSc students will receive a monthly stipend of 890 Euros. This also includes (1) travels cost to and from the host institution and (2) settling allowance.

Research costs, tuitions fees, costs related to training, participation to conferences and insurance costs are covered by the host institution following EACEA guidelines. Note that participation to conferences and special trainings has to be approved by the supervision team in the host institution.

Yes, if you are national of and resident in an African count at the application time. You are then in the target group 2 (HEI not included in the PATH consortium but established in an EACEA eligible country). This target group includes students registered/admitted in or having obtained a degree from another HEI other than 

Nangui Abrogoua University, University of Abomey-Calavi, Jomo Kenyatta,University of Agriculture and Technology,Ebonyi State University University of Zimbabwe

No

Contenu

Applications should be submitted to: orphan2427@gmail.com and copied Prof Nadia Fanou Fogny, nadia.fanou@gmail.com, and Mr. Christel Azon, christelazon@gmail.com

1. Cover letter
2. Student research proposal or detailed research concept note (for PhD and MSc)
3. National ID or copy of passport data page 
4. Certificate of previous degree(s) /or a proof that the degree(s) has been completed
5. All transcripts/academic records (please note that all selected candidates will receive final admission after they have provided suitable transcripts)
6. Proof of enrolment or eligibility for enrolment for MSc degree (that is research component of MSc) from home institution (for MSc applicants)
7. A support letter from home HEIs (from an authority of the University, Vice chancellor or Dean or Vice Dean or Head of Department/School)
8. Two recommendation letters
9. Curriculum Vitae.
10. Certificate of English or French language skills if any
11. Proof of socio-economic vulnerability (if relevant) attested by an authority of the home HEI. The letter should be on the HEI letterhead with email and contact of the signatory person.
12. Any other supporting documents

No, In each HEI involved in the consortium, two main faculties/departments will be involved in the students training: the faculty/department of Plant breeding, Biotechnology, Nutrition and Food Technologies or related fields

No but recommendation letters are necessary for application

For more information you can contact the local coordinators