Makerere University Applications For PhD Thesis Completion Grants

Programme Summary

From the University’s annual budget allocation FY 2022/23, the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) supports the doctoral candidates on the verge of finalizing their thesis/dissertation, who have no other source of funding for the requested period.

The Completion Grant programme is intended to help candidates make significant progress towards the completion of their thesis/dissertation and/or substantial improvement in the quality of their dissertation. The programme is designed to enable candidates to focus full-time on the writing of their theses, improving the quality of the dissertation and shortening the time required to complete the doctoral degree. In effect, the grant is intended to decrease time to a degree. Applications from suitable PhD candidates are welcome.

Eligibility

• This grant is for students in any field of study who have no other sources of funding in the requested period.
• The grant is available to PhD candidates employed by Makerere University
• To be eligible for a grant, applicants must have been cleared to undertake fieldwork for their thesis.
• The applicant should not hold another outside employment during the grant award period.
• Grant recipients should not simultaneously hold another Scholarship/Fellowship or be engaged in another research grant
• The PhD has to be close to finalization. For those who have extended their studentship, detailed reasons have to be given, as to why the dissertation was not finished within the programme duration period.
• Qualified Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply (at least 30% of the Grant will be awarded to female applicants)

Application Requirements and Process

Each candidate may be recommended for this grant only once. Applicants are advised to submit the following documents:

1. An up-to-date resume/CV of the applicant including information about previous academic
   achievements (e.g. Talks at Graduate Seminar Series, publications from the PhD work, awards
   or participation in national & International conferences)
2. Evidence of Full Admission and Registration to a PhD programme at Makerere University
3. Evidence of Full-time/Contractual employment at Makerere University; provide a copy of the
   Appointment Letter issued by the Appointments Board of Makerere University
4. A copy of the approved proposal submitted for full admission
5. A realistic activity–based budget and corresponding deliverables
6. Detailed work and time schedule for the remaining time until thesis completion (in tabular
   form) (if appropriate: date of Public defence/Viva Voce)
7. Statement from the supervisor, including information on the need and the priority of the
   Completion Grant. It also should in a realistic manner, provide information when the
   The thesis/Dissertation will be finished and give an evaluation of how the PhD project would
   benefit from this Grant.
8. A letter of support from the Head of the Department, which indicates that the Department will
   assist the candidate in reserving sufficient time for the remaining research activities.

Other Conditions of the Grant:

The candidate’s Supervisor(s) and Doctoral Committee members are encouraged to participate and fully support the candidate to expedite the programme activities.

As grantees, the students must agree to:

• Attend support group meetings and writing workshops with other programme recipients;
• Meet regularly with a designated Thesis/Dissertation Supervisor or writing coach;
• Dedicate the grant period to finishing their Thesis/dissertation.
• The Candidates’ progress towards completion of the Thesis/Dissertation, as well as attendance at Progress Monitoring meetings, will be continually evaluated by the DRGT.

Awards:

A total of 10 grants will be awarded to Fully Admitted and Registered students for the academic year, 2022/2023.

The total budget support will depend on the strength of the application but in any case not exceeding Shillings Ten million (UGx. 10,000,000/=) during their grant period, which will be disbursed upon submission of a realistic activity-based budget.

Application Procedure

1. Electronic submission of application with supporting documents saved under one file using
   the following format: lastname_PhDgrant2023.doc
2. Submit to the Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training, Makerere University; Email: conference.rgt@mak.ac.ug
3. One (1) Hard copy should be addressed to:
   The Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training,
   Senate Building Level 4, Room 410, Makerere University; P.O.BOX 7062, Kampala.
4. Application Deadline: FRIDAY March 31st 2023; 5:00 PM East African Time

Applications submitted to any other Email address other than the one above will not be accepted.

Application Inquiries

For further information, please contact the Director’s office at: director.rgt@mak.ac.ug