Amadi Allela

Under this scheme, PhD scholarships are awarded to promising candidates from LDCs. Applicants must have obtained their MSc in an area relevant to the topics under the umbrella of climate change – which is a broad and interdisciplinary field– or they must obtain the MSc degree by December 2022.

The TWAS-Sida PhD Scholarship Programme for Climate Research for students from LDCs has just been established in response to the need of increasing the base of expertise in climate research in Least Developed Countries, through a modern and complete PhD training programme. Under this scheme, TWAS has built a Portfolio of Host Supervisors including high-level climate experts. PhD scholarships can be awarded to promising candidates from LDCs who have obtained their MSc by December 2022, in an area relevant to the topic of climate change.

The TWAS-Sida PhD Scholarship Programme for Climate Research for students from LDCs aims to:

  • Increase the base of expertise in climate research in Least Developed Countries;
  • Contribute to fill the gap among the authors of the IPCC Assessments Reports, where scientists from developing countries are less numerous and Least Developed Countries are very much under-represented;
  • Contribute to building capacity in the context of climate change challenges in countries that are taking the brunt of the climate crisis. Climate literacy is crucial for affected societies in order to i) develop in ways that are as sustainable as possible, ii) adopt measures and policies for mitigation and adaptation;
  • Contribute to the efforts underpinning the SDGs, and Sustainable Development in general, which are jeopardized by the climate crisis, as much as is the well-being of future generations;
  • Strengthen developing countries’ endogenous capacity in science;
  • Reduce the exodus of scientific talents from the South;
  • Build and sustain units of scientific excellence in LDCs over a longer period to help them achieve a critical mass of highly qualified and innovative scientists capable of addressing real-life problems facing their countries.

The TWAS-Sida PhD Scholarship Programme for Climate Research for students from LDCs is fully funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The contribution is intended to support climate action in a world struggling with multiple planetary crises. In particular, the United Nations categorized a group of countries as ‘Least Developed’ (https://unctad.org/topic/least-developed-countries/list): these are low-income countries, that have a great need of help and support. In terms of science and technology in particular, they are severely lagging, and this is compromising efforts of growth. It is critical to contribute to their capacity building especially in the area of climate change, which will affect the livelihood of many of their communities.
https://twas.org/opportunity/twas-sida-phd-scholarships-climate-research-students-least-developed-countries-ldcs