Objective
The program aims to strengthen research capacity and provide young researchers with conditions for quality scientific research and publication. It also contributes to the attainment of Education for All (EFA) in West and Central Africa by informing educational policies and practices.

Eligibility
The program is aimed at young researchers studying and teaching in one of ERNWACA’s member countries. Candidates not already members of ERNWACA are encouraged to join the network. Applications from teams led by and involving women are actively encouraged.

2008 Themes
Proposed studies must reflect the following themes:

1. African languages, education and culture for national development and regional integration;
2. Peace and citizenship education;
3. Education, skills development and   employment.

Criteria
The detailed Call for Proposals is available from ERNWACA national office or at www.rocare.org.  Proposed research projects should respond to a need formulated by an organization at the national level and have to potential to propose solutions to major concerns of education policymakers and practitioners in the country. Interdisciplinary and multi-county studies will be given preference. The research must be able to be completed (including submission of final validated report) in nine (9) months and the budget (ERNWACA’s contribution) must not exceed 3 000 000 F CFA.  The grant is for academic research and covers fieldwork expenses and not researcher honorarium.  The best projects will be granted travel allowances to present the results of the research at international conferences and/or receive support for publication of peer-reviewed articles in professional journals.

Selection of studies
In each of the 14 member countries of ERNWACA, the national scientific committee of education specialists comprising both men and women from different disciplines will pre-select the six most promising proposals. The regional scientific committee will select 20 studies from amongst those pre-selected at national level for financing. The selection of research proposals is based on criteria set out in the Call for Proposals for the ERNWACA Small Grants Program for Education Research, which is financed by UEMOA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

For further information contact:
1/  ERNWACA national office in your country of residence ;
2/  ERNWACA regional coordination, Bamako, Mali ; Tel. : (223) 221 16 12, info@ernwaca.org ;
3/ or visit www.rocare.org.