African Studies Program

African Studies Program Research Award

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Submit application

Submit advisor approval form

Deadline
Applications and advisor approval forms are due Feb 15 at 11:59 PM CST.

Purpose
Support for international travel for graduate student research or creative/artistic endeavors related to the study of Africa and the diaspora.

Eligibility
Graduate students in good standing from any department or program.

Amount
Up to $4000

Application Details
Complete the online application form and upload an application packet as a single pdf. Your application packet should include the following:

  1. Project statement (1,000-word maximum): statements should clearly address the specific work applicants intend to undertake during their time abroad as well as how the proposed fieldwork fits an applicant’s overall research plan and prior experience in the country/region, itinerary (as appropriate);
  2. Curriculum vitae (2 pages maximum)
  3. Copy of your UW-Madison student record/transcript and, if appropriate, graduate transcript/s for courses taken at other institutions. Unofficial transcripts are fine.
  4. Budget: Please format the budget like the example below. If total costs exceed the available award amount, please describe other funding or your plan to secure funding. Students with existing funding are eligible to apply and will be given full consideration. Briefly explain why additional funding is needed.
Example budget:
Flight $2,200(MSN-ACC, roundtrip)
Accommodation N/A (staying with family)
Meals & incidentals $50/day X 60 days = $3,000
Local transport $10/day X 60 days = $600
*CISI travel insurance ($52.35/mo) 2 mos X $52/mo = $104
Other (supplies, writing support, etc.) Translation services = $1,000
Portable recorder = $500
Editing software = $200
TOTAL BUDGET  $7,604
African Studies Program $4,000
Other support 3,600 travel award from History Department

*UW System policy requires travelers to secure comprehensive travel health insurance. All students must enroll in CISI Travel insurance for the duration of their research travel.

About the Advisor Approval Form
Students should seek input from their advisors prior to submission. The student must list the name and email address of their advisor in their application, and the advisor must submit an approval form before the deadline. This form replaces the need for a formal letter of recommendation and is designed to:

  1. Encourage students to discuss their proposals with their advisors prior to submission.
  2. Ensure that student proposals are evaluated on their merit instead of on the merits of the accompanying recommendation letters.
  3. Reduce administrative burdens.

Award Disbursement and Timing

  • Applications will be evaluated by an interdisciplinary faculty committee and award decisions will be returned by April 1.
  • All awards are considered taxable income.
  • International students with non-resident alien status must be paid through payroll. Taxes will be deducted prior to payout.
  • All other students will receive their award via the Bursar’s Office scholarship system. The award will first be applied towards the student’s outstanding balance (for example: unpaid tuition or segregated fees, library fines, etc. Learn more here.). Remaining funds will be disbursed in accordance with the awardee’s Student Center payment preferences.
  • Funds will be disbursed no earlier than late May.

Support a Student
The African Studies Program relies upon the generosity of people like you to fund the work of our students. Consider giving the gift of education. You can fully support a travel award with a $4000 gift to the UW Foundation African Studies Program Fund – 132011540

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