The Southern African Young Scientists Summer Program (SA-YSSP)

The Southern African Young Scientists Summer Program (SA-YSSP) offers a unique research opportunity to talented young doctoral students whose research interests correspond with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis’ (IIASA) ongoing research programs on issues of global environmental, economic and social change.

It is the first time that this prestigious Summer School will be presented in the Southern Hemisphere, hosted by the University of the Free State (UFS), in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in collaboration with IIASA, the National Research Foundation (NRF), and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

The Program will be presented on the Bloemfontein Campus of the UFS, South Africa, for three months, starting on 2 December 2012 to 28 February 2013. All successful candidates will be guided by an international supervisory team of two scientists; one from South Africa and the other from IIASA.

What to Expect from the Program:

The SA-YSSP will provide participants with the following benefits:

• Supervision by experienced IIASA and South African scientists on a project that is relevant to the participant’s doctoral research program, as well as contributing to collaborative research by the senior supervisors;
• Broadening the participants’ research into interdisciplinary and trans-boundary approaches relevant to national, regional, and global needs;
• Opportunity for a research publication in an internationally accredited/recognised scientific journal in collaboration with senior scientists from IIASA and South Africa;
• Exposure to international research through interaction with national and international experts taking part in the SA-YSSP’s supervision and seminar series;
• Exposure to local, national, and regional research programs through interaction with locally based communities of researchers;
• Opportunities to build long-lasting collaborative contacts with the program supervisors and with other program participants;
• Have an opportunity to present their research at a designated colloquium;
• The program offers a wide range of scientific events, including both social and natural sciences, often with important policy dimensions. An optional curriculum helps students put their research into perspective and adds a philosophical edge.

Conditions of Participation:

• Participants are expected to be resident at the UFS for the entire 3-month period; December 2012 through February 2013;
• Participants also agree to a timely submission of their research reports;
• Applicants to the SA-YSSP prepare a research proposal that corresponds both with their professional plans and the agenda of their selected IIASA Program (see Call to Students); and
• Accepted applicants begin work before the summer by planning their research in close collaboration with their IIASA supervisors.

Applications are now open:

Registration for the 2012/2013 program is open, with a closing date of 1 October 2012. Only complete applications received by the closing date will be considered.

Expectations to be met by SA-YSSP Participants

The following commitments are expected of selected SA-YSSP participants:

• Participate in the SA-YSSP for the entire core period and carry out the research as agreed upon with the supervisor pair;
• Before the SA-YSSP core period, prepare for SA-YSSP research as recommended by the supervisor pair;
• After the SA-YSSP core period, take the steps necessary for submitting the SA-YSSP research to an international scientific journal as agreed upon with the supervisor pair; and
• After the SA-YSSP core period, participate in the evaluation of the SA-YSSP.

Benefits:

The NRF will cover candidate’s expenses associated with the SA-YSSP as follows:

• South African candidates: travel costs for 1 return trip to Bloemfontein, accommodation and meals for the duration of the SA-YSSP program;
• SADC candidates: travel costs for 1 return trip, accommodation and meals for the duration of the summer school;
• IIASA member country candidates: accommodation and meals; travel costs to and from Bloemfontein must be covered by outside sources identified by the student.
• Some IIASA National Member Organizations (NMOs) will provide travel funds, and candidates will be informed of those opportunities by IIASA.