Unisfere

Unisfere Research Fellowship Afghanistan

Unisfere is an independent and non-government initiative founded in 2022, specializing in the area of research and sustainable development. Our primary aim is to contribute to the implementation and localization of sustainable development through a multifaceted approach encompassing youth empowerment, research, public awareness, and knowledge sharing.

 

Fellowship description:

University Research Fellowship is a program offered by Unisfere that aims to enhance research, digital literacy, critical thinking, communication, and problem solving skills of bachelor students and recent graduates, and promote research culture and sustainable development in Afghanistan. Through the fellowship, participants will have the opportunity to learn research and digital skills and conduct research on community challenges in support of sustainable development. The fellowship is designed to equip young people with research knowledge and skills, while also making their research accessible to decision-makers, donors, and the public in order to encourage contributions to sustainable development. The University Research Fellowship is open to bachelor students and recent graduates who are interested in conducting academic research in the specific demanding areas of research, while addressing community challenges. Participants will be selected through a competitive process following an open call for applications each year. The fellowship is structured into two phases: the first phase, which includes learning workshops, topic selection, and proposal development, and the second phase, which involves conducting research, writing a research report, and defending the work in front of a panel of judges. During the first phase of the fellowship, participants will attend a series of online learning workshops, select their research topics, and write a short research proposal. The aim of online workshops is to enhance youths skills on the current needed topics which can help them to develop their future career or educational plans. In the second phase, a smaller group of participants will be selected based on their application, research topic, research proposal, and participation in the first phase to conduct their research, write a research report, and defend their work with guidance from assigned mentors through regular online meetings. Mentors will supervise fellows’ research progress and provide necessary instructions on the next steps and the writing process of the research. The research articles produced by the fellows in the second phase will be published on Unisfere’s Research Journal in English and one local language in Afghanistan, along with profiles of the fellows, and will be shared across social media to influence decision-makers and the public towards sustainable change. Upon successful completion of the first phase of the fellowship, participants will receive a certificate of participation, and second-phase participants will be provided with an official link to their research on Unisfere’s research journal. After successfully finishing the second phase of the fellowship, fellows are considered as alumni and will benefit from all opportunities for our alumni in the future. Abstracts of the research reports will be used as part of a public awareness process across social media and our website both in English and one of Afghanistan’s local languages.

 

Eligibility: – Students in Afghanistan who are currently enrolled in bachelor’s degree or recent graduates (not more than three years) in any field of study – Have a good level of English to write a research report and communicate in English. – Demonstrate commitment to conduct a research which aligns with specified research areas and broader Sustainable Development topic. – Be under the age of 35 years old at the start of the program. – Have access to the internet and email to participate in the online part of the program and communicate with mentors. – Did not participate in the second phase of University Research Fellowship Afghanistan cohort 2023.

Benefits: – Learning workshops by international professors and experts – Gaining research knowledge, skills, and experience under the supervision of international academic researchers – Research paper of fellows who successfully finish the second phase will be facilitated to be published in international journals – Receiving guidance on higher education journeys, scholarships, and applications from our higher education and scholarship advisors (for alumni fellows) – Enrolling in paid or unpaid internships with our partner NGOs and institutions – Access to free educational programs/opportunities offered in partnership with different educational institutions. – Free access/enrollment to different educational programs and scholarships offered by our partners

 

Selection criteria: 

• Motivation to conduct academic research.

• A good level of English to write the research report and communicate in English.

 

Fellowship phases:First phase: workshops, topic selection, and proposal development Second phase: conducting research, writing the research report, presentation, and defense.

 

Mentors:The fellowship’s mentors are academic researchers from different parts of the world with a research background who can guide fellows through the research process. Mentors provide feedback on research progress and the final research report. Mentors will be in regular contact with their assigned fellows through online meetings (at least two times per month), email, Whats App, or any other method of communication that they agree upon. Mentors and fellows can schedule meetings at times that are convenient for both.

Unisfere Research journal:

Research of fellows will be published on Unisfere research journal with profile of fellows and special link to the research articles. Research journal of Unisfere was recently created on the Unisfere website with an aim to publish research articles related to sustainable development.

How to apply: to apply for the fellowship please fill the online form in the Apply option with your information. You will hear from us about the outcome of your application via the official Unisfere’s email addresses.

Note: The application must be filled in the English language. You will hear about the result of your application via the official email address of Unisfere. If you face any technical issue, please send us a message via our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Unisfere You can follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Unisfere Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Unisfere Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unisfere/?viewAsMember=true Unisfere Research Fellowship Afghanistan 2024 team, Unisfere and Mirab The Netherlands Dec, 2023

The application must be filled out in English.

For questions , please send us an email: [email protected] 

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