AfAS 2024 MSc and PhD Prizes

Application deadline: 25 December 2024 

The African Astronomical Society (AfAS) is the primary pan-African professional society representing astronomers from across the continent. AfAS aims to create and support a globally competitive and collaborative astronomy community in Africa and to be the voice of astronomy in the continent while contributing to addressing the challenges faced by Africa through the promotion and advancement of astronomy. 

The AfAS MSc and PhD Prizes 

Established by AfAS Early Career Science Sub-committee (ECSS), the inaugural AfAS MSc and PhD Prizes aim to recognize and reward the outstanding accomplishments achieved by academically talented African students who recently defended their Master’s or PhD thesis in the field of astronomy. A total of eight prizes (four MSc students and four PhD students) to be shared over four African regions (North, South, East, and West Africa) will be conferred each year with a cash prize of 400 USD for an MSc and 800 USD for a PhD award, respectively. 

Eligibility 

To qualify for the award, you should fulfil the following conditions:

  • Candidates must be a citizen of an African country.
  • Candidates must have conducted their research degree in Astronomy at an academic or scientific research institute in Africa.
  • Candidates must have successfully completed their degree (graduated or at least received a notification from their university) within a year of the call, i.e. between 20 September 2023 and 25 September 2024 for the 2024 MSc/PhD Prize. Theses which are submitted or in preparation but not yet defended are not eligible. 

Application procedure 

All applications must be submitted online by uploading the following documents to the AfAS submission form available here: 

  • A detailed CV including list of scientific publications (maximum 3 pages) and contact details of two academic referees
  • A one-page summary of the most important publications, if applicable
  •  A thesis summary (maximum 2 pages) including (but are not limited to) the research title, the scientific rationale, the most significant findings and conclusions
  • A motivation letter addressed to the AfAS Science Committee explaining why the applicant deserves the prize
  • Copies of official academic records (transcripts)
  • A certified copy of the most recent completed degree. 

Applicants should also arrange for signed recommendation letters from two academic referees to be sent directly to Dr Sthabile Kolwa by 25 December 2024. At least one letter must be from the thesis advisor who is familiar with the applicant’s research work. 

Incomplete applications or files submitted after the deadline, as well as applications which do not meet the conditions of eligibility will not be taken into consideration. 

If you are submitting any supporting documents in your local language, you must upload at least an informal translation into English.

Selection criteria 

Applications will be reviewed and ranked by AfAS PhD Prize Committee based on the following criteria:

  • Excellence of the overall academic performance and achievements
  • Relevance and originality of the MSc/PhD thesis
  • Publication track record, commensurate with the applicant’s career stage
  • Participation in scientific meetings and research presentations
  • Impact of the research work in the advancement of astronomy in Africa. 

AfAS reserves the right not to accept any application that does not meet the selection criteria and/or is incomplete.

Estimated Timeline 

  • Opening date of the call : 25 September 2024 
  • Closing date of the call : 25 December 2024 
  • Applications review by the jury: January to February 2025
  • Notification of successful applicants at the AfAS Annual Conference to be held in March 2025; Payments to be made by 31 March 2025

Enquiries 

AfAS Applications Administration

Chair of the Early Career Science Sub-committee, African Astronomical Society 

Email: admin@afasociety.org

For more details on AfAS please visit: www.afasociety.org

Submision form