cscuk.dfid.gov.uk : Commonwealth Split-Site Scholarship 2018

Name of the Organization : Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
Announcement : Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2018
Applicable For : Citizen of South Africa
Closing Date : 15 February 2018
Website : https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/
Download Terms & Conditions : https://www.southafricain.com/uploads/9636-Commonwealth.pdf

Commonwealth Split-Site Scholarship

** Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships are for PhD candidates from low and middle income Commonwealth countries, to spend up to 12 months at a UK university as part of their doctoral studies in their home country.

Related : University of Gibraltar Gibraltar Commonwealth Scholarship 2017 : www.southafricain.com/8349.html

** Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

Themes

Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships are offered under six themes:
1. Science and technology for development :
The scholarship, which may be in any area of science or technology (including, for example, agriculture, veterinary science, or forestry), will develop knowledge and/or skills that are directly related to the specific needs of a low or middle income country. Where possible, applications should cite expressed national or local priorities.

2. Strengthening health systems and capacity :
The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will improve health provision or outcomes for disadvantaged groups in low and middle income countries. A range of approaches could be adopted, such as training staff to fill critical shortage areas; establishing better systems, processes, or management; health promotion and improving understanding of non-take up; or developing new treatments.

3. Promoting global prosperity :
The scholarship will support economic prosperity in low and middle income countries. The knowledge and/or skills gained could lead to, for example, enhanced trade capacity; improved economic understanding or decision-making by business or government; new products and services; or long-term capacity building, through the development of entrepreneurial skills, for instance.

4. Strengthening global peace, security and governance :
The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will strengthen peace and security at national, regional, or international levels. Multiple approaches could be used, such as strengthening open and transparent governance; improving mutual understanding within and between societies; or building systems that reduce the potential for conflict or encourage its resolution.

5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises :
The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills which will help low and middle countries adapt to changing contexts, withstand sudden shocks, or increase capacity to preserve the continuity of operations following such events. This could apply to a broad range of threats, including natural and physical disasters; long-term threats such as climate change; interruptions to the supply of key resources; or sudden economic or technological disruption.

6. Access, inclusion and opportunity :
The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will promote opportunity amongst historically disadvantaged groups in low and middle income countries. This could be through, for example, expanding educational opportunities; conducting community outreach; enhancing access to decision-making; or increasing understanding of the barriers faced. A range of disadvantage can be addressed – including social, economic, gender, ethnic, regional, or political – provided that the need is clearly stated.

Eligibility

To apply for these scholarships, you must:
** Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
** Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country

** Be registered for a PhD at a university in your home country by the time your scholarship is confirmed. Your final qualification will be awarded by your home country university (not your proposed UK university). This scholarship will not support your period of study at your home country university.

** Ensure that an institutional or departmental link exists between your home university and your proposed UK university. This link must be greater than simply a collaboration between individuals – see ‘Tenure and placement’ on page 4 for further details.

** Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/ October 2018
** By October 2018, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree)
** Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship

How To Apply

** You should apply to study at a UK university which has a part funding agreement with the CSC. Part funding agreements are at the discretion of individual universities. For a list of universities that have agreed to part fund Commonwealth Scholarships, visit cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/uk-universities/part-funding

** You must make your application directly to the CSC using the CSC’s Electronic Application System (EAS). The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the EAS. Information on how to use the EAS, including detailed guides, is available at cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/split-site-scholarships-low-middle-income-countries

** All applications, including full transcripts detailing all your higher education qualifications (with certified translations if not in English), must be submitted by 23.59 (GMT) on 15 February 2018 at the latest.

** You are advised to complete and submit your application as soon as possible, as the EAS will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.

You must provide the following supporting documentation, which must be received by the CSC by 23.59 (GMT) on 19 February 2018 in order for your application to be eligible for consideration :
** Supporting statement from your supervisor at your home country university, highlighting current institutional links
** Supporting statement from your proposed supervisor at a UK university, highlighting current institutional links

** Reference from at least one other individual
** Copy of your valid passport showing your photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship
** You are not required to apply via a nominating body for these scholarships.

Selection Process

** Once received by the CSC, each candidate’s application will be considered firstly by an academic adviser with expertise in the subject area concerned, and then by the CSC selection committee in competition with other candidates.

Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria :
** Academic merit of the candidate
** Quality of the research proposal
** Potential impact of the work on the development of the candidate’s home country

Scholarship Value

Each scholarship provides :
** Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor usually the cost of journeys made before your award is finally confirmed)

** Approved tuition fees
** Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,065 per month, or £1,306 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2017-2018 levels)

** Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
** Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas

** If you are widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of £458 per month for the first child, and £112 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if you are accompanied by your children and they are living with you at the same address in the UK

** The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining your family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and you must be able to supplement these allowances in order to support any family members who come to the UK with you.