The aim of the African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI) is to train African plant breeders, in Africa, on African crops. This involves 2 years of academic studies at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and 3 years of field research in the student home countries, at their home institution. ACCI's students breed for food security crops: Cereals, legumes, roots and tubers.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be under 40 years of age;
• Possess an MSc in either Plant Breeding , Plant Genetics, Plant Pathology, Crop Science or Horticultural Science or equivalent degree;
• Have a position in their home country as an agricultural research scientist in a national agricultural research institution or NGO, or as a University lecturer;
• Be from one of the following countries: Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda , Kenya , Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi or South Africa.

ACCI is calling for applications, in the form of: 

• A CV containing clear contact details, including academic records;
• 3 references, one of whom should be the MSc supervisor;
• A letter of motivation, including notes on the applicants interest areas in plant breeding.

Successful candidates would be eligible to begin their studies in January 2010. Applications to be sent to attn:

Mrs. Lindiwe Mbhele, email: acciadmin@ukzn.ac.za.

For more information on this scholarship, please visit ACCI's website:

The African Centre for Crop Improvement (www.acci.org.za).

WOMEN SCIENTISTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.