Information:
MSc scholarships
The closing date for application to the TBA master's scholarship programme is the 30th JUNE each year. See below for more information.
TBA master's scholarship
The TBA Postgraduate Scholarships are annually offered by the Tropical Biology Association to its African alumni which are funded through a consortium of TBA funders. The scholarships are to help African alumni undertake postgraduate studies after they have attended TBA courses. They are part of the TBA alumni follow up support programme designed to promote human resource development and strengthen professional expertise among African biologists in biodiversity conservation and research.
You can download the postgraduate application form as a PDF file - you will need Adobe Acrobat to read it.
You can also download the guidelines for applications in PDF format.
Scholarship include:
- Funding granted for up to two years of study leading to the award of a Masters degree.
- Depend on the proposed study programme, the scholarship will include tuition fees, travel costs, study materials, and a modest living allowance.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be nationals from Africa who have attended a TBA course.
- Priority will be given to those who attended courses since 2001.
Applicants must pursue a postgraduate degree that will directly enhance their research and conservation skills that is relevant to their own country.
How to apply
Applications must be in English and include the following:
- BA Postgraduate Scholarship application forms duly filled.
- Cover letter (no more than two pages) indicating how the applicant will benefit from the course, apply education to enhance biodiversity conservation in country, region, district and community.
- A copy of acceptance letter to a university programme, or submit documentation indicating that they have applied for Master's study or its equivalent.
- Letter from employer (if applicable) confirming current status of applicant and that you will be allowed time off during the duration of study.
- Two letters of reference written by someone who has supervised you during your academic studies or professional employment. Note that it will be your responsibility to ensure that the referees send the reference letter in good time.
Completed application forms together with supporting documents should be returned to:
The TBA Postgraduate Scholarship
c/o Nature Kenya
P O Box 44486
00100-Nairobi
Kenya
tel: + 254 20 3749957/3746090
fax: + 254 20 3741049
email: tba-africa@tropical-biology.org
The application deadline is 30th June each year. Applications received after the deadline or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
TBA master's scholarship holders & alumni updates
May 2008
2003 master's scholarship holder, Amis Mao Angua won the Society for Conservation Biology 2007 Student Award for his paper and talk on "Do freshwater and terrestrial priorities overlap in conservation assessments?". Amis is currently doing his PhD in Cape Town University.
Kowiyou Yessoufou, 2003 TBA MSc scholarship holder, is also the coordinator of the Benin alumni group, and currently works at the Ministry of Environment and Nature Protection of Benin as Ministry Assistant. He presented his master thesis work in a regional seminar at Bamako. Cllick here to view his presentation as a pdf.
2005 master's scholarship holder, Mwema Martin Musango just finished his master's with 1st class grade from Cape Town University. Click here to dowload the pdf of the poster that he presented at the Society for Conservation Biology 2007 conference in South Africa.
2006 master's scholarship holder, Josia Razafindramanana has been accepted to start her MPhil in Britain this coming academic year.
African Education for Leaders in Conservation (AELC) masters scholarship
TBA are very proud to see that our European alumni united and took the initiative to set up a scholarship fund.The scholarship was set up by the European participants from the TBA course in Tanzania 2003 to raise money to for one of their fellow African participants to complete a masters course.
" We set this fund up to contribute to conservation on the long term, by enabling an African to pursue their education to a level necessary to make a significant contribution to their countries' development. We believed that with an MSc degree, this person would stand a better chance to be involved in conservation projects or in decision-making processes concerning conservation of natural resources in their country." Nick van de Wiel, AELC coordinator.
To apply the applicant had to be actively involved in conservation and research or wish to take on studies that will enhance his/her contribution to conservation needs back at home country. Specifically, the programme aimed to help the recipient:
• Acquire an advanced master's degree focusing on current concepts and techniques in biodiversity conservation and research
• Specialise in their selected fields of conservation and research interest
• Contribute more effectively to the human resource capacity of their home institutions
• Expand their collaborative network with other scientists and research institutions and promote exchange of scientific knowledge
Towards the end of 2005, the award was given to Simon Musila who used the award to enrol for an MSc in Environmental Studies specialising in Community Development at Kenyatta University, Kenya in September 2006.
"I have deliberately chosen the area of study since today it has become common knowledge that we cannot preserve biodiversity...the challenge to conserve biological resources we have to strive to invent better and appropriate ways to protect the invaluable assets of our country." Simon Musila, MSc AELC scholarship holder.
View Simon first semester report here.
For more information on the AELC scholarship and how you could set up a scholarship programme for one of your fellow TBA course mates, please don't hesitate to email us .