Information Session
Follow the link to watch the recording.
Programme (with timings):
0:00 Presentation of the Congo Basin Science Initiative (CBSI), Prof Raphael Tshimanga (University of Kinshasa, DRC), co-chair of CBSI. Slides here.
19:21 Biodiversity Observatory, Prof Bila-Isia Inogwabini (Catholic University of Congo, DRC), CBSI co-investigator. Slide here.
24:17 Climate and Meteorology Observatory, Prof Wilfried Pokam (University of Yaoundé I, Cameroun), CBSI co-investigator. Slide here.
30:54 Hydrology and Freshwater Observatory, Prof Raphael Tshimanga (University of Kinshasa, DRC), CBSI co-investigator and co-chair. Slide here.
36:30 Land Use and Land Cover Observatory, Prof Dominick Spracklen (University of Leeds, UK), CBSI co-investigator. Slide here.
39:45 Socio-ecology Observatory, Prof Jerome Lewis (University College London, UK), CBSI co-investigator. Slide here.
43:57 Vegetation, Soil and Biogeochemistry Observatory, Prof Simon Lewis (University of Leeds/UCL, UK), CBSI co-investigator and co-chair. Slide here.
48:57 Eligibility criteria, Helen Plante, CBSI secretariat. Slides here.
52:11 Writing a good application, Prof Simon Lewis. Slides here.
1:14:34 Question and Answer Session, Prof Raphael Tshimanga
Applications
In the online application portal, you will be prompted to provide a name to identify your application. We ask that you name the application with the CBSI Scholarship that it is for. Please copy and paste from the following list:
MSc Programmes
MSc Agroforesterie, USTM (Obs de la Végétation)
MSc Géomatique forestière et environnementale ENEF (Obs de la Végétation)
MSc Aménagement des écosystèmes forestiers et agroforestiers, U de Dschang (Obs de la Végétation)
MSc Science de la Terre et de l’Univers, U de Yaoundé I (Obs d’Hydrologie et d’Eau Douce)
MSc Aquaculture et Gestion des Écosystèmes Aquatiques, U de Lubumbashi (Obs de la Biodiversité
MSc Ressources en Eau, U. de Kinshasa (Obs. du Climat et de la Météorologie)
MSc Science de Biodiversité et Conservation U Catholique du Congo (Obs de la Biodiversité)
MSc Ressources en Eau, U. de Kinshasa (Obs. d’Hydrologie et d’Eau Douce)
MSc+PhD
MSc en Anthropologie, UCL + PhD U Omar Bongo (Obs de la Socio-écologie)
PhD Programmes
PhD ISTA (Variabilité diurne et saisonnière de la convection en Afrique centrale)
PhD U Catholique du Congo (Effets de différents usages de terres sur la distribution mammalienne)
PhD U de Dschang (Evaluation des services écosystémiques des systèmes agroforestiers)
PhD U de Kinshasa (Suivi et modélisation des flux hydrologiques dans le sous bassin de la rivière Kasaï)
PhD U de Lubumbashi (Les poissons du bassin du Congo)
PhD U de Yaoundé I (Évaluation hydrodynamique du bassin de la Sangha)
PhD U Marien N’Gouabi (Cartographie de la régénération forestière des anciens sites forestiers, lien avec pluviométrie)
PhD U of Leeds (Assessing the regional climate impacts of deforestation and forest degradation in the Congo Basin)
PhD U of Leeds (Monitoring water flux dynamics between Congo River main-stem and Cuvette Centrale wetlands)
PhD U of Leeds (Understanding the drivers of the central African intact forest carbon sink)
PhD U of Oxford (Convection over the Congo Basin)
PhD U of Stirling (What drives patterns of biodiversity in the Congo Basin?)
PhD U of Yaoundé I (The Congo Basin rainfall paradox)
PhD U Omar Bongo (Cartographie des politiques de gestion forestière dans le Bassin du Congo )
PhD U Omar Bongo (Cartographie de la dégradation des forêts du Bassin du Congo)
PhD USTM (Dynamique de la biomasse aérienne et évolution des stocks de carbone des forêts exploitées de manière sélective)
The deadline to apply is 28th February 2025. Make sure that you upload all supporting documents to the online system and submit your application before the deadline. Incomplete or draft applications will not be considered.
Applications will be assessed in March 2025, and we aim to complete interviews with all shortlisted candidates by 31 March 2025. If you are successful, you will be notified soon after interviews are complete, to allow time for you to apply to universities for an expected start in September/October 2025.
When the scholarship application process is complete, successful candidates will then need to apply to the degree awarding institution to secure a place. Scholarships can only be awarded to successful applicants who have met all conditions required for entry to their degree awarding institution and then officially accepted a place at that institution.
The level of degree required for entry to PhD scholarships is set by the degree awarding institution. You will need to be able to submit an application file to the degree awarding institution following their criteria to secure a place. Admissions information is provided as a guide in the pages for each scholarship, see under the Degree awarding institution section.
You need to submit the certificates and transcripts for the degree that is required for entry to the Master’s programme as part of your scholarship application. You will not be eligible to apply if you cannot submit these documents by 28 February 2025.
You need to submit the certificates and transcripts for the degree that is required for entry to the PhD programme as part of your scholarship application. You will not be eligible to apply if you cannot submit these documents by 28 February 2025.
Applications will be assessed based on academic merit and motivation for the project. Applicants for PhD projects will additionally be assessed based on the quality of statement outlining how you would develop the project. For more information, see our application guide.
You can apply from here. Further assistance can be found in our step-by-step guide.
You will require references from two referees. Academic referees are preferred, but relevant non-academic references are also acceptable.
The letter should be addressed to:
CBSI Scholarships Selection Committee
For projects at UK universities, the application must be in English.
For projects at universities in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon and Republic of the Congo and for the MSc in Anthropology, UCL +PhD, Omar Bongo University, the application must be in French.
Applications for projects in Cameroon may be completed in English or French.
For all scholarships, references and official documents may be in English or French.
You can apply for multiple scholarships you are interested in, although you will need to create separate applications for each. When you submit your application through the online portal, you will need to tell us if the scholarship that you are applying for is your first preference.
Scholarship details
All scholarships are open to nationals of Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon and Republic of the Congo who are also ordinarily resident in one of these countries. For a country to be considered as your country of ordinary residence, you should habitually, normally and lawfully reside in that area out of choice. Proof of nationality and residency is required.
CBSI has no age requirements for scholarship applicants. Some central African universities do have age limits for Masters and PhD programmes; please check the eligibility requirements of the degree awarding institution if you are unsure.
Master’s scholarships in Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of the Congo and Democratic Republic of the Congo are 24 months. PhD scholarships are 42-48 months depending on the programme. The MSc in Anthropology, UCL +PhD, Omar Bongo University is 51 months.
No, all studies must be completed within the scholarship period
All scholarships are fully funded, including tuition fees, relevant costs to purchase equipment, field costs, English language training, and travel for training and attending scientific conferences are included in the funding. For applications to UK universities funding includes intensive training to help you prepare for English language tests that you will need to pass in order to meet University entry requirements.
The base locations for each scholarship are detailed within each project page. For further clarification, please contact the project supervisor listed at the bottom of each project page.
Yes, as a national and resident of any of the four eligible countries, you can apply for any of the scholarships, including those based in other eligible countries.
If you are ordinarily resident in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon or Republic of the Congo but have a time-limited visa for short-term work or study in another country you are eligible to apply. Please upload a copy of the visa to the application portal.
Students will receive a standard CBSI stipend, currently USD 1,000 per month PhD in central Africa, USD 700 per month MSc in central Africa, GBP 1,603 per month in UK (the UK standard maintenance stipend). All University fees are also included.
Relevant costs to purchase equipment, field costs, English language training, and travel for training and attending scientific conferences are included in the funding. For applications to UK universities funding includes intensive training to help you prepare for English language tests that you will need to pass in order to meet University entry requirements.
If you have an offer of a study place at an institution outside of your country of residence, you may require a visa. Visa advice for international students coming to the UK is available at our UK partner institutions, the University of Leeds, the University of Oxford and the University of Stirling.
Language requirements for applicants are different for each project. They are listed on each project page under Pre-requisite skills or under the Admissions Criteria of the Degree Awarding Institution.
If you are applying for a project at a UK institution and English isn’t your first language, you will also need to meet the relevant English language requirements before you start the programme. CBSI funding is available to successful candidates for English language intensive training to help you prepare for English language tests that you will need to pass in order to meet University entry requirements.
English language skills are desirable for all candidates, including for scholarships in Francophone nations. For a self-assessment of English language skills, the British Council provide free tests which are available online here. Free IELTS practice tests are available from the British Council here.
Yes. Before the scholarship for the degree programme can be awarded, you will need to meet all University criteria for entry to the degree, including meeting English language requirements set by the University. However, if your interview for a CBSI scholarship is successful, you will receive funding for intensive training to help you prepare for English language tests to meet the university entry requirement.
If you have questions regarding any of the scholarship programmes not answered on the project page, please contact the lead supervisor via the email listed at the bottom of the project page.
