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Call for one year Pre-MSc and Pre-PhD research internship, and PhD top-up scholarships

The College of Medicine (CoM, http://www.medcol.mw) and Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme (MLW, http://www.mlw.medcol.mw) are committed to promoting research and research training led by Malawian & International Scientists. The aim is to improve the health of people in Malawi and elsewhere in the Region. Collectively, the CoM and MLW have a unique translational research portfolio which links an excellent laboratory research base to strong hospital and community-based research and high-level policy formulation. The CoM research agenda is broad ranging from disease-focussed thematic areas such as HIV, malaria and cancer to multi-disciplinary thematic areas such as reproductive health, nutrition and child development and health policy. Details of areas of research interests of CoM faculty members and research organization at CoM can be accessed on these websites: http://researchdirectory.medcol.mw/ or http://www.rsc.medcol.mw. The MLW Research Strategy is built on research areas driven by research groups, which are described on the MLW website: http://www.mlw.medcol.mw .

Our aim is to support talent with exciting research and mentorship opportunities at MLW and/or COM, and where applicable with co-supervision from senior academics from other national or international institutes. The Joint CoM/MLW Training Fund (2018-2023) is funded by the Wellcome Trust, and aims to support Malawian based candidates. We are offering scholarships for the following:
• Pre-MSc interns and Pre-PhD interns who show early potential to develop into independent researchers over time. Who, with senior support and mentorship, will be able to develop competitive international MSc training fellowship applications within the period of their internship.
• Pre-PhD interns (MSc degree holders) who show early potential to develop into independent researchers over time. Who, with senior support and mentorship, will be able to develop competitive international
PhD training fellowship applications within the period of their internship.
• PhD students looking for top-up funds – to support current PhD registered candidates at MLW and COM (or upcoming candidates who have secured their PhD stipend and tuition funding) to help maximize their PhD experience and output. Awarded budgets will range from £10,000- £14,000 for Pre-MSc interns and £12,000 – £20,000 for Pre-PhD interns per person. These funds include a monthly stipend plus eligible research costs, such as research consumables or relevant personal development activities including short courses and travel for Pre-MSc and Pre-PhD interns. PhD top up funding can be requested up to £20,000 towards project funding (but not for PhD stipend and tuition fees).

Applications need to include:
a. An application letter detailing your suitability for the scholarship, motivation and career ambition
b. A letter of support from a potential (co-)supervisor with a proven research track record in the applicant’s chosen research thematic area.
c. A detailed CV, include information on academic performance and achievements to date, including any awards and personal distinctions, research grants and/or fellowship funding received, and any relevant outputs, including publications and presentations.
d. The research group you would like to work with and why. A letter of support from the research group leader will be an added advantage.e. Photocopied certificates and transcripts
f. A 2-page outline research concept and internship plan with a budget. (Including any other existing funding sources that may contribute to internship).

Applications will be assessed on the following: academic performance and potential of the candidate, quality of the proposed research, supervisory team and training environment, alignment of the research to MLW-CoM research areas and proposed career track and planned next training level, application presentation (including budget) and interview performance. Applications will need to show how the scholarship will help the candidate
develop a competitive MSc or PhD degree training application or how it will help the candidate maximizes the output from their ongoing PhD.
Shortlisted candidates will be given one month to develop, under the supervision of his/her proposed supervisors, a 2-page internship plan before being interviewed by a panel of senior scientists for the final selection of successful candidates. Information on research groups / themes can be found on the aforementioned websites. For any other questions and clarifications, please contact Training Coordinator on training@mlw.mw OR rsctrainingcoordination@medcol.mw . An information session for applicants and supervisors will be held on 12 March 2020 at MLW in the Nyika room from 4:00 to 5:00pm. All those interested should confirm attendance through training@mlw.mw. Please send applications to: training@mlw.mw) and CC rsctrainingcoordination@medcol.mw. The closing date for applications is 24th March, 2020