Nairobi, Kenya · 17 March 2025 — The Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) of the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) welcomed its sixth cohort of doctoral scholars at the icipe Duduville campus in Nairobi, Kenya, marking the latest milestone in a continental effort to build Africa's research capacity in applied sciences.
The orientation, held from 17 to 21 March 2025, brought together newly selected PhD scholars from across sub-Saharan Africa who will undertake three to four years of doctoral training at African universities in PASET's five priority thematic areas. The sixth call for applications was opened in 2024 with a submission deadline of 16 September 2024.
The Programme: Building Africa's Applied Science Capacity
The RSIF doctoral programme is the flagship initiative of PASET, an Africa-led initiative established to address the severe shortage of highly trained scientists and engineers across the continent. The programme is managed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Nairobi, which serves as the Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU).
Since its inception in 2018, the programme has supported over 300 PhD students, building a critical mass of researchers in fields directly relevant to Africa's development challenges.
Five Priority Thematic Areas
The programme funds doctoral research in five areas identified as critical for Africa's sustainable development:
| Thematic Area | Focus |
|---|---|
| ICT | Including big data and artificial intelligence |
| Food Security and Agri-Business | Agricultural innovation and food systems |
| Minerals, Mining, and Materials Engineering | Value addition to Africa's natural resources |
| Energy | Including renewable energy technologies |
| Climate Change | Adaptation, mitigation, and environmental science |
These priority areas reflect a deliberate alignment between research training and the continent's most pressing developmental needs, ensuring that doctoral graduates are equipped to contribute to solutions in sectors where Africa faces the greatest skills gaps.
The Sixth Cohort: From Application to Orientation
The journey of the sixth cohort began with the call for applications issued in 2024. Prospective scholars from sub-Saharan African countries applied for fully funded doctoral scholarships, with applications closing on 16 September 2024. Following a rigorous selection process, successful candidates were notified and began their orientation programme in March 2025.
The orientation at icipe's Duduville campus provides scholars with:
- An introduction to the RSIF programme structure and expectations
- Networking opportunities with fellow scholars and RSIF alumni
- Sessions on research methodology and academic integrity
- Guidance on navigating the doctoral journey at host institutions
- Information on supplementary grants and mobility opportunities
The PASET Model: African-Led, African-Focused
PASET represents a distinctive approach to research capacity building in Africa. Unlike many international scholarship programmes that send African scholars abroad for training, PASET's RSIF programme is explicitly designed to strengthen African universities as centres of doctoral training. Scholars are hosted at African universities with strong research capacity in the priority thematic areas, building institutional research infrastructure on the continent rather than exporting talent.
The programme is supported by contributions from African governments and international partners, reflecting a shared investment model. Participating countries contribute to the RSIF fund, demonstrating African governments' commitment to financing their own research capacity development.
Beyond Scholarships: A Comprehensive Ecosystem
The RSIF programme extends beyond individual scholarships to build a comprehensive research ecosystem:
- Research Grants: The programme offers competitive research and innovation grants to RSIF alumni and African universities, supporting the transition from doctoral training to productive research careers
- Mobility Grants: Scholars can access mobility funding for research visits to partner institutions, facilitating collaboration and access to specialized equipment
- JIRA Awards: The Joint Innovation and Research Awards (JIRA 2025) provide additional funding for research projects with clear innovation potential
- University Capacity Building: RSIF invests in strengthening the research infrastructure and supervisory capacity of host African universities
The Broader Context: Africa's PhD Deficit
The RSIF programme operates against the backdrop of a severe deficit in doctoral-level researchers across sub-Saharan Africa. While the region produces approximately 1,000 PhDs annually in science and engineering fields, this falls far short of the demand from universities, research institutions, and industry. The African Union's Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) and the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024) have both identified the expansion of doctoral training as a critical priority.
The PASET initiative, launched in 2013 following a ministerial forum in Addis Ababa, was created specifically to address this gap. By focusing on applied sciences, engineering, and technology — fields with the most direct impact on industrial development and economic transformation — PASET aims to produce graduates who can drive innovation in sectors critical to Africa's economic future.
Looking Ahead
As the sixth cohort embarks on their doctoral journeys, the RSIF programme continues to demonstrate the viability of African-led, African-focused research capacity building. With over 300 scholars trained since 2018, a growing alumni network, and expanding partnerships with international research institutions, the programme is building the human resource foundation that Africa needs to transform its economies through science, technology, and innovation.
For those interested in future opportunities, the RSIF applications portal periodically releases calls for scholarships, mobility grants, and research awards throughout the year.
Sources
- RSIF-PASET, PhD Scholarships — Sixth Call for Applications —
- RSIF-PASET, Cohort 6 Tag —
- RSIF-PASET Applications Portal —
- ScholarshipsAds, PASET RSIF Africa PhD Scholarships 2025 (Fully Funded) —
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Institutional Research Desk · Foresight Institute of Research and Translation
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