IAD offers research grants to enrolled Cornell PhD students to conduct field research in Africa. 

Eligibility

Eligible candidates must have a substantive research focus on Africa and research must be conducted in Africa. Grants are not intended to cover international travel costs (flights from the U.S. to the country of study) but may supplement additional grants from the Einaudi Center Travel Grant. Awards range between $1,500 - $4,000.   Students who have previously received an IAD Field Research  grant may not apply again.

Criteria

• Research is directly related to African development; proposal and research plan are detailed, feasible, and can be done in the allotted time; research budget is reasonable,  and field research is integral to the applicant’s dissertation

How to Apply

Applicants are asked to provide to iad@cornell.edu :

• A proposal of the research to be undertaken, including research activities, methods and timeline (up to 3 pages)
• A detailed budget for in-country expenses.
• A tentative itinerary/schedule.
• List of other current funds received.
• Advisor’s or faculty recommendation from within the applicant’s area of study (for PhD student applicants)

Applications are closed for summer 2025.

If your proposal includes travel to an elevated risk country, you will need to submit a request to ITART to travel. In the event that the applicant receives Einaudi travel grant funds, the award will not be released until the ITART application process is completed. Applicants are strongly encouraged to have a back-up plan for their project if ITART application is denied, or if the country to which they are traveling should become an elevated risk country after receiving their travel grant.