Applications are now open for the 2019 PACF Scholarships for African students at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.  The Positive Action for Children (PACF) Scholarship Fund combines completion of a health/development-focused qualifying MSc programme with practical industry experience to equip students with the knowledge and skills to be effective advocates and catalysts of change in their home country, with a particular focus on championing the role of community interventions in contributing to the HIV and global health response.

The programme’s objectives are to:

  • build knowledge, understanding and skills in global health theory;
  • contribute to Positive Action’s knowledge base with the alignment of the MSc dissertation topic and its strategic areas;
  • apply this learning within the development industry context through practical experience;
  • develop strategies to address in-country health gaps and accelerate country-level responses, with a particular focus on community-led interventions; and
  • grow in-country advocates and catalysts for positive change in HIV/AIDS programming.

Two highly competitive PACF Scholarships are available to applicants from sub-Saharan Africa intending to study at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine on a one-year, full-time, London-based 2019-20 qualifying MSc programme.

Award Details

Each scholarship will cover

  • tuition fees, including any mandatory field trip fees, and
  • a tax-free stipend (living allowance) of GBP 16,950.00, and
  • GBP 2,000.00 towards MSc project costs, and
  • a training support grant for the practical learning element of the award.

It is a condition of this funding that PACF Scholars must undertake a three-month practical element at PACF’s London office, during the period they conduct their MSc project. The purpose of this is to provide students with training, learning, and practical experience, and an opportunity to complete their MSc project, whilst undertaking their placement at PACF.

Eligibility Criteria for Funding

To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must

  • be nationals of, and resident in, countries in sub-Saharan Africa; and
  • intend to return to sub-Saharan Africa on completion of their MSc year at the School; and
  • have 2 years experience working in any function (board, staff, volunteer etc…) within a grassroots community based organisation with a  focus on HIV/AIDS and/or public health intervention. The selection committee consider a grassroots community organisation to be a non-profit group that work with local communities in delivering HIV/AIDS and/or public health interventions. Applications must be from those who are delivering locally based interventions, for example youth group leaders; peer-support group leaders; mentors; peer educators; community outreach workers.
  • confirm (by submitting an application for this scholarship) that s/he would not otherwise be able to pay for their proposed programme of study, and
  • agree to undertaking a 3 month placement with PACF, in their London office, during the summer (whilst simultaneously undertaking their MSc project); and
  • meet the School’s minimum English language requirements, as required for admission to study, if short-listed; and
  • hold an offer of admission for 2019–20 for one of the following London-based MSc programmes of study:MSc Control of Infectious Diseases, MSc Epidemiology, MSc Health Policy, Planning & Financing, MSc Public Health, MSc Public Health for Development, and MSc Reproductive & Sexual Health Research.

Please Note:

The selection committee cannot consider applicants who work fulltime within health services or the health system. Experience gained working within grassroots community organisations should not be in addition to working within the health system.

The selection committee can only award this funding to applicants who have at least two years experience working with a focus on HIV/AIDS and/or public health intervention at a community level within a community organisation.

Applicants should ensure they demonstrate outstanding experience in working in a grassroots community organisation. Awards can only be made  to those candidates who show how their skills and knowledge might be applied to community HIV/AIDS interventions, and who explain how they will be effective catalysts of change in their communities, particularly with regard to community HIV/AIDS interventions, once they have completed their MSc programme of study. If a number of suitable candidates are shortlisted, the panel may consider other application details including prior studies and qualifications, in order to make an award decision.

How to Apply

Applicants should complete both steps below by the scholarship deadline.

Step 1: Submit an application for an eligible 2019-20 London-based MSc programme of study, as per instructions under the ‘How to Apply’ tab on the relevant programme of study page, ensuring that all necessary supplementary documents (including references) are submitted via the Admissions portal as soon as possible to ensure that an offer of admission is held by the scholarship deadline.

Step 2: Submit an online scholarships application, selecting the option ‘2019-20 PACF MSc Scholarships’. A completed 2019-20 PACF Supplementary Questions Form must be uploaded as part of the Scholarship application. (This is the only document which should be uploaded on the Scholarships online application.)

If you have any queries about the application process, scholarship requirements or application deadline, please contact our Scholarships team: scholarships@lshtm.ac.uk

Application notes:

– Each applicant should submit only one PACF MSc Scholarship application. We would therefore encourage applicants to check carefully their online application and attachment before submission, as the first application submitted will be the one considered and there will be no opportunity to upload the Supplementary Questions Form after submission.

– Applicants who have already submitted a completed 2019-20 London-based MSc application to study for an eligible programme and/or have been made an Offer of Admission for an eligible programme should apply for the scholarship by completing the scholarship application (Step 2 above) and submitting this by the deadline.

– Incomplete applications will not be considered for this funding. Incomplete applications includes those with missing supplementary documentation at either/both Steps 1 and 2 above.

– By applying for this funding applicants agree to its Terms & Conditions.

Deadline

The scholarship deadline is midnight (GMT) on Wednesday 27 February 2019

For more information,please visit https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/fees-funding/funding-scholarships/19-20-PACF-Scholarships

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