Urban Studies Foundation International Fellowship 2019

The Urban Studies Foundation is delighted to announce a further round of its fellowship programme enabling early to mid-career urban scholars from the Global South to take an extended sabbatical (3-9 months) in a university or other academically-accredited institution in the Global North or South.

The purpose of the fellowship is to expand theoretical and empirical understanding of the major social, economic, political and other problems associated with the rapid processes of urban growth in the Global South. The program is designed to give scope to the exchange of ideas between urban scholars working in the Global North and South. To this end, particular importance is attached to the identification and willingness of an established urban scholar working within a northern or southern institution to act as a mentor of the fellow.

Purpose of the Fellowship :

1.  To foster collaboration between an emerging researcher from the Global South and a suitable and experienced urban researcher. 
2.  To develop and publish high-quality research on a topic that makes a significant contribution to the study of urbanization in the Global South. It is anticipated that the work undertaken might be of a largely theoretical nature or focused on the analysis and conceptual development of empirically-based research for which the data has already been collected. The Fellowship is not designed primarily for the support of primary data collection. Research centring on issues related to governance, planning and social equity, policy, critical theory, uneven development, and urban sustainability are particularly welcome, but proposals embracing other urban topics and issues are encouraged. 
3.  To strengthen the international profile and career path of the Fellow.

Eligibility

1. PhD in a relevant subject awarded within the last 10 years. Relevant disciplines include geography, political science, economics, sociology, demography, planning; though this list is not exhaustive. 
2. Originality and the quality of the proposed sabbatical research. 
3. Reasonable proposed budget. 
4. Previous academic achievements. Applicants will need to provide evidence of their achievements to date, e.g. publishing papers, giving papers at international conferences, etc. 
5. Currently, resident in a country in the Global South and have an affiliation with a university or other higher education institution there, e.g. as a lecturer. 
6. A national of a country belonging to the Global South, defined here as countries present on the OECD's current ODA recipient list (2018-2020). 
7. Please note that previous International Fellows are not eligible to apply for a second fellowship.

Benefits

• Accommodation and subsistence needs while staying at the host university.
• Return (economy class) air fare.
• Assistance towards research costs (including any fees or costs of being a visiting fellow at the institution). 
• A small budget available for the mentor to assist the Fellow to meet their intended research aims should this be appropriate.

Application Documents

When applying for this opportunity, the following documents must be submitted:

1. An outline of the planned research, demonstrating its originality, rigor and value to the field of urban studies [1200 words max.].
2. A statement of the intended research outputs (e.g. articles [specify target journals], a monograph, etc.) [300 words max.].
3. Designation of the northern or southern institution where the fellowship will be pursued and reasons for its selection [300 words max.].
4. the name of the urban scholar at that institution willing to act as a mentor to the fellow during the fellowship, and a statement of how their expertise will support and facilitate the proposed research.
5. A draft budget listing main cost items.
6. A 3-page CV listing academic achievements and publications.
7. A letter from the prospective mentor stating their willingness to act as a mentor to the fellow and indicating the suitability of the host institution for the proposed sabbatical study.
8. A short CV from the mentor (3 pages maximum), preferably including any previous mentoring experience if applicable.
9. The names and contact details of two academic referees.