Funding is available to support travel and research in an eligible West African country for five or more weeks between now and October 2025. The Open African Innovation Research (Open AIR) network, with funding from the QES Advanced Scholars – West Africa program, invites applications from Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada who are doctoral researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and early career researchers in any discipline at the University of Ottawa to support research on regulation for innovation supporting Sustainable Development Goals.
About Open AIR
Open AIR, www.OpenAIR.Africa, is a multidisciplinary network of researchers in more than 20 African countries, Canada and beyond. We research, engage stakeholders, and mobilize knowledge on open collaborative innovation, innovation scaling, inclusive innovation, intellectual property rights and related modes of knowledge governance that support innovation.
Open AIR has six hub institutions in Cairo, Lagos/Abuja, Nairobi, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Ottawa and connects roughly 150 experts working across disciplines and continents. This funding is managed through Open AIR’s University of Ottawa hub, based at the Centre for Law, Technology and Society.
Outstanding candidates selected for this Fellowship opportunity will become part of a dynamic research team led by Professors Jeremy de Beer and Chidi Oguamanam.
Requirements of the Funding:
To be eligible, applicants must:
– Hold a PhD or be at the dissertation stage of their PhD (coursework completed).
– Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
– Conduct research in West Africa for at least 35 days, completed before October 31, 2025.
While Open AIR is based at the Centre for Law, Technology, and Society, this opportunity is available to advanced scholars at the
University of Ottawa from any field including but not limited to law, management, public and international affairs, international development and global studies, engineering, or other social, natural, or health sciences.
All successful applicants will also complete an internship comprising 30% of their total fellowship duration. Guidance will be provided, but candidates should have preliminary options in mind.
Funding and benefits:
Up to $8000 CAD. Successful candidates will become members of Open AIR’s New and Emerging Researchers Group (NERG) and the Queen Elizabeth Scholars network.
How to apply:
Interested scholars should email Dr. Yvonne Ndelle ([email protected]) to express their interest. Applicants must include the phrase “Queen Elizabeth Scholars” in the subject line of their email. Scholars who already have a uOttawa supervisor should also ask their supervisor to email [email protected] to introduce the candidate.
All candidates must submit:
– A current and complete curriculum vitae
– A one-page research proposal, including the topic specifically linking to Open AIR’s research portfolio; milestones, deliverables, and outcomes; and plans to mobilize knowledge and strengthen institutional partnerships.
