Guidelines for IWMI PhD Fellowships

Introduction

The International Water Management Institute's mission is to improve the management of water and land resources for food, poverty and nature. It does this through research and capacity building. One mechanism through which this mission is served is by providing financial support - through IWMI PhD Fellowships - to promising potential researchers from the South with an interest in conducting research in an area that fits IWMI's research agenda. This note provides guidelines for potential Fellowship candidates, as well as IWMI staff interested in establishing PhD research projects as part of their research programs at IWMI.

Eligibility

PhD candidates who satisfy the academic requirements to be admissible to PhD programs and want to carry out research that fits in IWMI's research agenda can request IWMI to provide a Fellowship in partial support of their PhD research. IWMI will not pay the full cost of undertaking the PhD program, but will be looking for co-financing with a university or third party. There are two ways to apply for a Fellowship.

1. Initiated by IWMI IWMI will be developing ideas for research cooperation with partner universities. Mutually agreed research topics, for which financing has been arranged, can be determined and an open, international recruitment will be arranged by IWMI and / or the partner university to which PhD candidates can apply. The most suitable candidate will be selected by IWMI in consultation with the university and will be awarded the Fellowship.
2. Initiated by the candidate PhD candidates may write a research proposal on a topic that fits the IWMI research agenda (generally this should be done in consultation with IWMI research staff responsible for the subject area). If interested in the subject, IWMI may identify a suitable university. When the university has accepted the candidate academically and possibilities for CO-financing have been established, a specific proposal will need to be drawn up that lays out the research topic and terms and conditions of the support sought. The theme leader responsible for the subject area of the proposed PhD project will have to provide a positive recommendation. With these recommendations the proposal is to be submitted to the Capacity Building Officer for a decision on terms and conditions of the IWMI support by the DG (or the person or committee he delegates this too).

Individuals who receive an IWMI Fellowship remain individually responsible for his/her PhD program. Fellowship recipients do not become IWMI employees and are not entitled to any support or facilities provided by IWMI, other than detailed in the Fellowship agreement (model attached). IWMI does not guarantee employment to Fellowship recipients following successful completion of their PhD program.

Requirements

1. The research topic and proposal should fit into IWMI's current research agenda.
2. At least part of the research has to be carried out at IWMI offices or IWMI's project locations.
3. The PhD program has to be completed in a reasonable period of time, fitting with the standards of the university from which the degree will be obtained. Generally the PhD research project (excluding course work at the university) will have to be completed within two years. If more time is needed to fit with the standards of the university from which the degree will be obtained, an extension of up to an additional six months will be considered on a case-by-case basis if recommended by the supervisors.
4. An IWMI senior researcher will be part of the PhD candidate's committee.
5. The research output is considered joint property of IWMI as well as the Fellowship recipient. Neither party will obstruct the other in distribution and further use of the research results. The Fellowship recipient will acknowledge on all publications that the research has been co- funded by IWMI.
6. At least two peer-reviewed research publications and an 'abstract' or 'highlight paper' are expected to result from the PhD research.

Conditions

1. IWMI will make available to the Fellowship recipient an advance of the cash component of the Fellowship for a period of 6 months, in the month before the research period of the PhD program commences.
2. The fellowship recipient will provide a progress report to IWMI in the 5th month of the 6-month period covered by the advance, accompanied by statements from both the university and the IWMI supervisor that progress is satisfactory or better.
3. IWMI will make available the next 6-month advance in the 6th month, presuming it is in possession of a progress report and the said recommendations of both supervisors.

Financial Support IWMI will provide

Travel

1. One round trip from the Fellowship recipient's home base to the university plus a 20 kg overweight baggage allowance (or equivalent cost in un-accompanied shipping), economy class, most economical route.
2. One round trip for the Fellowship recipient from the university to the agreed IWMI office or project location, economy class, most economical route.

IWMI travel office will make travel arrangements and ticketing and payments for above will be made directly by IWMI.

Living costs, tuition and fees while away at University

IWMI will not be responsible for the living costs, tuition and fees while at university. In principle it is expected that for each case a CO-funding agreement is reached with the university, or a third party, to co-sponsor the Fellowship recipient. The co-sponsoring party will bear the costs of the stay at university required before the actual PhD research starts. If an agreement which the cosponsoring party does not fully cover all costs, requests can be made to IWMI for supplemental support on a case by case basis.

Living costs during the PhD research period

IWMI will provide a living cost allowance of US$500 per month for the period of the PhD research carried out at IWMI or one of its project locations. Exceptionally, part of the research to be carried out while at university may also be covered. IWMI support will be provided for a maximum of two years, with a possible extension of a 6-month period to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Alternatively, IWMI and the CO-financing party may agree to jointly fund a complete PhD program without detailing which party is responsible for which individual cost component.

Administration of financial support

Disbursements will be made direct to the student. In cases where the student is enrolled at an University with which IWMI has a joint-support agreement in force, the terms of the agreement may require that IWMI reimburse or advance funds to the University for disbursement.

Research costs

Depending on the research subject chosen, Fellowship candidates can apply to have research costs funded by IWMI as well. Research costs that may be covered include travel to and from the field, lab materials, research equipment, RS images, specific hard or software costs. IWMI may choose to reimburse costs, or to make facilities such as research equipment, RS images or computer hardware available for the duration of the project, but retain ownership.

Introduction

Eligibility

Requirements

Conditions

Financial Support IWMI will provide