Ambassade de France au Kenya
-----Service de Coopération et d'Action Culturelle
Embassy of France in Kenya
-----Co-operation and Cultural Affairs Department
SUPPORT TO FRANCO-KENYAN SCIENTIFIC PARTNERSHIPS
2013 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
FRENCH SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN KENYA1
Support for research and higher education is a priority for France’s foreign policy, and in particular in its
cooperation with Kenya. It aims at promoting and developing sustainable partnerships between French universities
and research institutes and their Kenyan counterparts. The presence of many French researchers in Nairobi
implementing numerous joint research programmes, as well as a number of memorandum of understanding (MoU)
are testimony to the vibrant French policy to support research in Kenya.
Three French research organisations have resident teams in Nairobi: the International Centre of Agronomic
Research for Development (CIRAD), the French Institute of Research in Africa (IFRA) and the Research Institute
for Development (IRD). In 2009 they signed a MoU with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology
(MOHEST) under the auspices of H.E the Ambassador of France in Kenya. Their researchers supervise Kenyan
students and develop several scientific programmes in collaboration with various Kenyan institutions or
international research institutes based in Kenya. They offer opportunities for scientific capacity building and
expertise, in agronomy, social sciences and all discipline responding to the stake of improving social and
economical development. They cover not only Kenya but also East and Southern African countries.
Campus France, the French national agency for the promotion of French higher education abroad, recently
opened an office in Nairobi, managed by Alliance Française, in collaboration with the Department for Co-operation
and Cultural Affairs of the Embassy. The Campus France office in Nairobi offers all information about studying in
France. French higher education system, which is modern and dynamic, trains worldwide leaders in science,
business, and culture. With 280,000 international students (12% of the country's total postsecondary enrolment),
France is the 3rd largest host country after the United States and the United Kingdom. As the world’s 5th largest
economy, France owes its success to the quality of its educational system, its capacity in research and innovation.
The broad array of 3,500 universities and specialized post-secondary schools offer thousands of degree programs
at all levels (bachelor’s and master’s degrees, doctorate) that can be consulted on www.campusfrance.org/en.
Most courses are taught in French, a language spoken by more than 220 million people in 50 countries, but more
and more programmes are taught in English.
In line with the strategic plan of the MOHEST, the French research institutes’ orientations and in collaboration
with Campus France, Alliance Française and the Association of France Alumni in Kenya (AFRAKEN) the
Department for Co-operation and Cultural Affairs of the French embassy in Kenya proposes different kinds of tools
and programmes to support the French-Kenyan partnerships for research.
Here are the different programmes proposed in 2013:
“Support to joint scientific projects”
“Mission and Invitation programme”
“Focus on the Franco-Kenyan scientific partnerships”
You will find below the modalities and details to submit proposals. For further enquiries, please write to
[email protected].
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For more information, please visit the following websites :
http://www.ambafrance-ke.org/-Research-and-Higher-Educationhttp://afrique-orientale-australe.cirad.fr/en/
http://en.ird.fr/the-ird-in-the-world/eastern-and-southern-africa-indian-ocean
http://www.ifra-nairobi.net/
http://www.afkenya.or.ke/?lang=en
http://www.campusfrance.org/en.
Barclays Plaza - 9th Floor - Loita Street - PO box 41784 - 00100 Nairobi - KENYA
Tel: 20 277 87 11 - [email protected] - http://www.ambafrance-ke.org/spip.php?rubrique123
1. SUPPORT TO JOINT SCIENTIFIC PROJECTS
Support can be given to Franco-Kenyan research teams for the organisation of seminars, workshops,
conferences, photo exhibitions but also publications, or field work. The selected projects must be co-funded
by the beneficiary and/or other partners.
Click here to see a short presentation of this programme and the list of the scientific projects supported before
2013.
The proposals including the following characteristics will be highly appreciated:
Research based on a multi disciplinary and participatory approach aiming at responding to specific issues
faced by local communities (Health, Climate Change, Food Security, Natural Resources Management and
Accessibility)
Projects that include the training of young Kenyan researchers and networking between (East) African
scientists, in order to improve the integration and visibility of Kenyan expertise and research at a regional
and international level.
Projects aiming at sharing methodology, results and recommendations with Governmental and Non
Governmental agencies and more largely, with a large audience (journalists, students etc.)
Total available amount (1st semester 2013): 8 000 €
Maximum number of projects to be cofunded: 2 to 4
Deadline for submission of projects (soft copies only): 11th March 2013
Email address for submission:
[email protected]
[email protected]
N.B. Depending on the availability of funds during the second semester 2013, a new call for proposal
will be launched in July/August.
2. MISSION AND INVITATION PROGRAMME
Human resources and expertise constitute are among the most important components of the collaboration
between France and Kenya in Higher Education and Research sectors. Allowing students and researchers from
both countries to discuss and debate scientific issues is a key tool to support the designing, implementation and
monitoring of relevant research programmes. The French Embassy in Kenya will dedicate some funds to
contribute to these exchanges. Here are the eligibility criteria:
Must be co funded by the beneficiary - In case of a PhD grantee’s supervisor (French or Kenyan travelling
to attend the defence for example) the mission or invitation must be co-funded by the employer or the host
university (accommodation or per diem or plane ticket)
The mission must have a tangible result (contributing to a seminar, a workshop, a lesson or a conference,
designing a project’s proposal, carrying out field trip) and must respond to a need expressed by the host
county.
Total available amount (1st semester 2013): 2 500 €
Maximum number of missions/invitations to be cofunded: 2 to 4
Deadline for submission of projects (soft copies only): 11th March 2013
Email address for submission:
[email protected]
[email protected]
N.B. Depending on the availability of funds during the second semester 2013, a new call for proposal
will be launched in July/August.
3. FOCUS ON THE FRANCO-KENYAN SCIENTIFIC PARTNERSHIPS
With the support of the Institut Français and in partnership with the French Institute for Research in Africa
(IFRA) and Alliance Française of Nairobi, at least five debates will be organized at the Alliance Française
throughout the year on different research topics studied by the French and Kenyan scientist’s networks. Five
documentary films will be selected, addressing a key research issue focusing on agriculture, land and water
management, archaeology etc. Scholars and researchers from Kenyan universities and research institutions,
from Cirad, IRD and IFRA but also members of the Association of Kenyan Alumni in France (AFRAKEN) will
be invited to debate with the audience (Government representatives, Nairobi middle class, students,
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journalists, NGOs, scholars, UN etc.) on the social utility of research for citizens, Medias, governmental and
non governmental agencies.
If you wish to submit a documentary film for a projection and debate, kindly send a copy and a cover letter to:
Scientific Culture 2013
Embassy of France in Kenya
Barclays Plaza, Loita Street
PO Box 41784-00100 Nairobi, Kenya
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