Apply to the Carbon Sequestration Fellowships

About

Applicants are invited for Carbon Sequestration Fellowships of the year 2024 from Ph.D. students of all nationalities for short-term (4-month) scientific internships to conduct research on improving soil organic carbon sequestration. Qualified women candidates and candidates from countries in Latin America and Africa are particularly encouraged to apply. The selected fellows will conduct research with scientists of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in Palmira, Colombia, or Nairobi, Kenya. 

The Alliance will provide funding through the Carbon Sequestration Fellowship which aims to tackle the global climate emergency by developing new ideas on improving deep rooting ability of tropical forage grass and rice genotypes for enhanced carbon storage in tropical soils.

In the second round of the Carbon Sequestration Fellowship in 2024, 10 Ph.D. students will receive grants to further their research skills and to strengthen international agricultural research networks for reducing carbon emissions. 

Selected students will be supported with the amount of USD 10,000 to 12,000* for conducting short-term (4-month) research in collaboration with scientists associated with the project “Using genetic diversity to capture carbon through deep root systems in tropical soils” supported by Bezos Earth Fund. The short-term grants will be used to support living and research costs at the host institution. The host institution will provide mentorship and scientific training. Ideal arrangements are where students can participate in research teams while pursuing work that contributes to their Ph.D. thesis work. Desk studies are not encouraged.  Students should be helping to generate original data and developing their research skills. 

*Please review the terms of reference to assess the breakdown of the total amount.

Process and Timing

December 18, 2023, to February 9, 2024: Carbon Sequestration Fellowship publishes the call for applications and circulates widely to potential students.
Prospective candidates must submit their applications to CarbonSequestrationFellowship@cgiar.org by February 9, 2024 (12:00 midnight Colombian Time).
February 10 to 29, 2024: Leaders of the Carbon Sequestration project evaluate applications and select a shortlist for interviews.
April 1-26, 2024: Leaders interview the candidates and select suitable candidates for the final list.
April 29, 2024: Selected candidates will receive an email from CarbonSequestrationFellowship@cgiar.org.
April 29-May 2, 2024: Candidates must send an email to CarbonSequestrationFellowship@cgiar.org, confirming their participation in the internship.
May 3, 2024: Successful applicants are publicly announced on the Alliance website and also through social media channels.
May 3 to July 30, 2024: The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT initiates internal processes, including document collection, ticket allocation, insurance arrangements, and visa processing.
August 1, 2024: The students will start the fellowship.
August 2, 2024: Welcome breakfast and an induction session will mark the commencement of the internship.
November 1, 2024: The students will initiate the compilation of internship results, and the communications team will assist in crafting a poster. This poster will be published on the Carbon Sequestration website at https://carbonsequestration.co/.
November 29, 2024: The students provide an English presentation about the results of their internships to the leaders and teams in Africa and Latin America.
November 29, 2024: Students finish the fellowship.