Thesis Research at International Agricultural Research Centers

Information on providing funding to students for thesis research at
International Agricultural Research Centers

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH supports the
German Federal Government in achieving its development policy objectives. The role of
GIZ’s Advisory Service on Agricultural Research for Development (BEAF) is to promote
development-oriented agricultural research on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for
Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
(http://www.giz.de/expertise/html/3192.html). This includes a program to provide funding to
students for master (in exceptional cases also bachelor) thesis research at International
Agricultural Research Centres (www.cgiar.org; www.icipe.org/; www.avrdc.org;
www.airca.org). Students receive a GIZ internship contract, normally for a period of six
months.
Research topics are offered by research centres and regularly updated by BEAF. They are
quarterly communicated to potential supervisors at German universities who will inform
interested students and facilitate the contact between student, International Agricultural
Research Centres and university.
Requirements for applications/applicants:

 Completion of at least five semesters of agricultural sciences or another
development-related degree course (e.g. biology, geography, sociology, veterinary
medicine, marine biology, forestry, political sciences, law, etc.).
 Enrolment at a German university.
 Very good command of English. In some countries, knowledge of other languages
(e.g. French, Spanish, Arabic) is advantageous.
 High degree of sensitivity towards the culture in the country of assignment; team
player; ability to work under pressure; willingness to assume responsibility and work
independently.
 An International Agricultural Research Center has confirmed that the student can be
hosted and a supervisor is identified.
 University supervisor is identified.
The internship contract includes an allowance for travel and cost of living, depending on the
country. For the duration of the internship, the students are covered by an accident insurance
policy arranged by GIZ. Further costs will not be covered.
A period of four months should be scheduled for the application process.
Please send your application in English to Dr Holger Kirscht [email protected] .

Applications should include a letter of motivation, CV, a certificate of university enrolment
and a letter of recommendation from a university lecturer as well as information on the
intended field of study including time frame, the agricultural research institute and supervisor,
with a brief outline of the master/bachelor thesis concept.
Research projects aiming at the preparation of a PhD dissertation cannot be supported.
October, 2016
1
Step by Step
The candidate expresses interest in working at one of the IARC / offered research
topics to his/her possible supervisor at the university. A research concept incl. work
plan is prepared jointly by the student, the supervisor at the university and the
future supervisor at the international agricultural research centre (IARC)
The candidate sends an application to GIZ/BEAF, including a letter of motivation,

CV, a certificate of university enrolment, a letter of recommendation from a
university lecturer, a proof of interest from the supervisors, both of the university
and the IARC, as well as a brief research/thesis concept.
The candidate is invited for an interview at BEAF’s offices in Bonn. He/She is

informed of the result of the interview shortly thereafter. BEAF also informs
university and IARC supervisors in case of acceptance.
BEAF contacts the GIZ country office (if existent) regarding the student’s
intended arrival, requesting additional information on visa and security
requirements. The feedback of the country office is communicated to the student.
The candidate sends evidence of international health insurance (covering also

repatriation costs). The GIZ declaration of consent has to be completed and
returned to Ms Stefanie Zeiss [email protected].
2
BEAF and the IARC sign a Letter of Agreement.
GIZ Human Resources Department sends an internship contract to the candidate.

The lump sum grant is transferred upon receipt of the signed internship
agreement.
The student receives access to the AgriStudents Wiki.
The student clarifies the details of visa arrangements, required vaccinations, travel,
transport from the airport, accommodation etc. with his/her supervisor at the IARC.
Recommendations from the GIZ country office have to be considered
The student contacts the GIZ country office requesting a meeting for the security
briefing, where applicable.
At the beginning of the internship, the student receives a GIZ email address and
access to GIZ’s online security training course.
The student keeps BEAF informed of any relevant changes (supervisor, schedule,
thesis subject).
It is appreciated if interesting information is entered into the AgristudentsWiki
3
Towards the end of the research assignment, BEAF asks the student and
supervisor to submit a formal evaluation.
It is recommended that the student ask his/her supervisor at the IARC to provide a
formal reference or certificate.
The student is asked to send his/her thesis in electronic form. If at the end of the
internship the student can foresee that he/she is not intending to forward the
thesis, a report must be sent within six weeks of completion of the research
assignment. Upon request, BEAF can provide an outline for the report.

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Information on providing funding to students for thesis research at

International Agricultural Research Centers

Requirements for applications/applicants:

Please send your application in English to Dr Holger Kirscht [email protected] .

Research projects aiming at the preparation of a PhD dissertation cannot be supported.

The candidate sends an application to GIZ/BEAF, including a letter of motivation,

The candidate is invited for an interview at BEAF’s offices in Bonn. He/She is

The candidate sends evidence of international health insurance (covering also

GIZ Human Resources Department sends an internship contract to the candidate.

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