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Africa Global Partnership Scholars

AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS, CULTURE AND SOCIETY, HEALTH AND NUTRITION, WATER, ENERGY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT, YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, EDUCATION, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Due Date: 30/01/2026

In an era where complex global challenges demand collective action, the need for international collaboration and knowledge sharing has never been more critical. Africa Global Partnership Scholars Program (Africa GPS) is a cohort-based program, designed for early to mid-career MSU faculty to create and deepen new scholarly partnerships with collaborators and peer institutions in Africa in support of MSU’s global mission.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

  • Foster the development of a group of faculty members dedicated to establishing and enhancing international research connections, collaborating on solutions with African partners, and adopting a global perspective in their scholarly work
  • Support MSU’s 2030 strategic plan goal of discovery, creativity and innovation for excellence and global impact
  • Connect MSU faculty with potential collaborators and mentors in Africa, expand the scholars' international networks, and offer support for establishing long-lasting collaborations
  • Heighten global awareness and research dialogue
  • Elevate the status of MSU’s global mission
  • Capitalize on opportunities to leverage external resources and form partnerships

ELIGIBILITY FOR APPLICATION

Tenure-stream or fixed term faculty at Michigan State University without prior scholarly experience in Africa are eligible to apply for Africa GPS.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

As part of the application process, the applicant must submit the following materials:

  1. Completed application questionnaire
  2. An up-to-date curriculum vitae (max 4 pages)
  3. A one-page statement that describes your reasons for applying, potential research focus, and if known, the AAP consortium institution and African country of interest for the collaboration. If needed, AAP can help identify the country, mentor and/or the collaboration partner based on the applicant’s interests.
  4. A letter expressing strong support from the Chair/School Director/Dean. The letter should affirm:
    • The candidate’s international interest, experience, and/or research
    • The candidate’s strengths as a researcher within the context of unit expectations
  • The candidate’s proposed project will advance the mission and goals of the academic unit, be supported by the unit, and benefit international partners
  • Applicants are encouraged to obtain a commitment from their unit or college to provide a 20% cost share. While cost sharing is not required, preference will be given to proposals that include this match.

FUNDING

To facilitate the participation of faculty members selected as Africa GPS Fellows, AAP will provide support for the following:

  • Up to $10,000 in support of international travel and scholarly collaborations with a researcher and/or mentor at an AAP Consortium member institution. The $10,000 may be used to support the MSU faculty members’ individual travel, collaborative research activities or to bring an African partner to MSU. 
  • Connection with potential collaborators, mentors, and institutions in Africa
  • Structured workshops on establishing and navigating international partnerships

Financial Guidelines:

  • The financial support must be expended prior to the end of the program (one year after awarded). 
  •  Preference will be given to applicants who provide a 20% match from the applicant’s unit, department or college.

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

Africa GPS participants are expected to develop a sustainable collaboration with peer researchers at an AAP consortium institution. As a result, within two years of being selected for the program, the scholar is expected to achieve the following outputs: 

  1. A collaborative research paper coauthored with their African collaborator to be submitted for publication. 
  2. A concept note of a proposal submitted to a funding agency to sustain the partnership with the African collaborator.  
  3. Progress reports submitted every six months to AAP documenting how the collaboration is progressing and any challenges that may have arisen.
  4. Attend program orientation, professional development workshops organized by AAP, and other relevant events as shared by the AAP team.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR GLOBAL RESEARCH FELLOWS

The criteria below will be utilized to evaluate candidates for their selection to the Africa GPS program:

  • Commitment Level: Applicants need to show a readiness to dedicate the necessary time to maximize the benefits of the Fellowship year, along with a proven scholarly potential that supports such a commitment.
  • Research Interest: Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to international research and articulate how participation in Africa GPS will contribute to their personal and professional development
  • Unit Support: Candidates must have strong support from relevant departmental or school and college administrators, indicated by enthusiastic recommendations.
  • Alignment of Interests: The applicant’s international research interests should align with the Africa GPS’s mission to foster excellence in international research.

SELECTION OF FELLOWS

Applications are due by January 30, 2026. Application materials will be reviewed by a selection committee in International Studies and Programs. Scholars will be announced by May 2026. Funds must be transferred to selected scholars by June 30, 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact Justin Rabineau at: rabinea1@msu.edu

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