MSc students of universities in the Nile basin can apply for support to do 3 months of their MSc thesis research visiting a university in another Nile basin country. The MSc research contributes to scientific insights in water processes, water governance and water management, and to building networks and friendships while experiencing research work and life in the Nile basin. This activity is part of the Academic Exchange in the Nile Basin project, coordinated by NBCBN Foundation, IHE Delft, and Wageningen University.

Support

Selected applicants will receive financial support (based on actual costs) for:

• International travel to another Nile basin country
• Living expenses for 3 months: including Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) and accommodation rental costs.
  
  • Students will be staying at the premises of the hosting institution or advised housing facility.
• Essential field and/or lab-work, if applicable (to a maximum of 2000 Euro).

How to start your application?

1. Carefully read the steps explained on the next page.
2. Discuss your initial research idea and university you like to visit (hosting university) with your MSc supervisor
3. If your supervisor agrees, send an email to state your interest in Academic Exchange Nile Basin to a) nbcbn_foundation@nbcbn.net, and b) your home university MSc supervisor. Include your proposed research topic, and the Nile basin university you would like to visit. NBCBN will bring you in contact with your proposed hosting university and send you the proposal template.

Step 1. Proposal development and submission

1. Using the template received from NBCBN, develop your proposal
2. Update and finalise your proposal with your MSc supervisor and with the host and home university contacts you received from NBCBN.
3. Collect the necessary documents and approvals:
   • Email of approval from your MSc thesis supervisor
   • Email of approval from the project’s contact person of your home university
   • Email of approval from the project’s contact person at the hosting university
   • Application letter (1 page), including your motivation for doing part of your MSc research abroad in the Nile basin
   • Your CV (Max. 2 pages)
   • Research proposal (following the template received from NBCBN)
4. Email the complete set of application documents to a) nbcbn_foundation@nbcbn.net, b) your supervisor, c) home university contact person, and d) hosting university contact person.

Step 2. Assessment and selection

The Project Management and the steering Committee will assess all applications and select proposals for funding. You will be notified and hopefully selected!

Step 3. Research implementation

If selected, you will travel to the hosting university and implement 3-months MSc research, co-guided by hosting university and your home university (online). You also stay in contact with NBCBN on behalf of the project. After three months you return to your home university to complete your MSc thesis. You send a copy of your finalized and successfully defended MSc thesis to NBCBN.

Step 4. Outreach

• Blog: During your stay, we ask you to maintain a blog for www.nbcbn.net, to share your experiences with other students and researchers.
• Research article: After your thesis submission, we invite you to develop a research article for Nile Water Science & Engineering Journal https://www.nilebasin-journal.com.
• Symposium: You will be invited to present your research at the bi-annual project’s scientific symposium.
• Alumni group: We will invite you to join and become active in the alumni group.