Claude Ake Memorial Awards Program

Claude Ake Memorial Awards Program

The Africa-America Institute and the African Studies Association announce
the 2002 Claude Ake Memorial Awards Program competition, funded by the Ford
Foundation.

The Claude Ake Memorial Awards Program seeks to encourage young and
mid-career African scholars-activists to carry out research, reflection and
writing about their ideas and activities. The award is intended for Africans
who are engaged in knowledge-based and reality-informed problem solving to
address the continent's development challenges, in the tradition of Claude
Ake.

"Africa is not winning [the battle to control its development agenda]
because the struggle has been construed too narrowly as one over economic
and political power. But it is much more than that. It is also a struggle
of ideas and knowledge. Scientists are a major part of the problem. To
begin with, we ourselves have no faith in the power of scientific knowledge
or in our ability to use it to solve problems. If we did, we would talk
less about how our governments constrain science and concentrate on using
the power of our knowledge to change them so they can value science, support
it and exploit its potential. It is not very useful to lament incessantly
the persistence of traditional and popular attitudes which are detrimental
to the production and utilization of scientific knowledge. Why not
problematize this scientifically and devise a means for changing these
attitudes?...Without articulating how to proceed and why, our march to
development cannot really begin. Can we [scientists} live with this tragic
betrayal of our mission?" From Knowledge, Public Policy and Development:
The Case of Social Science.

These are the words of the late Claude Ake, an activist for democracy, a
visionary, and a scholar of global standing. They were presented as part of
the challenge he issued a decade ago to colleagues in the Nigerian scholarly
community who, at his invitation convened at the Nigerian Institute for
International Affairs in Lagos to envision the institutional mission of what
later became the Centre for Advanced Social Science (CASS). Throughout his
professional life, Ake was critically engaged with the political and
economic realities in his country and was at the forefront among
scholar-activists who championed social justice, economic development, and
democracy. He challenged African intellectuals to help construct an African
consciousness about development, a consciousness that would guide Africans
in conceiving of African solutions to African problems and, indeed, problems
faced around the world. A remarkable leader, he was an expert on political
theory, political economy and development studies. This awards program was
created to honor his life and work.

Ake understood that education was part of the solution but that with the
declining state of much of the continent's higher education system, more was
needed. This awareness and conviction informed his decision in 1990 to turn
down a research fellowship at major think tank and several lucrative
teaching positions in the U.S. in order to return to Nigeria to found CASS.
He died in 1997 in a plane that crashed after take off over Lagos.

The Claude Ake Memorial award will recognize the work of African
intellectuals functioning in various capacities on both sides of the
Atlantic. It will support research projects that are applicable to a
country, region, or other defined setting within Africa. Successful
applicants will receive stipends of $5,000 for innovative research aimed at
meeting challenges that face the continent of Africa. Ake award recipients
will travel to the United States to participate in study tours that are
designed to support their individual research interests. In addition, the
Ake Scholars will attend the African Studies Association (ASA) Annual
Meeting in Washington, D.C., December 5-8, 2002 where they will present
their research to a representative cross section of the Africanist community
in the United States. The Africa-America Institute will compile a resource
book with syntheses of the Ake Scholars' research and distribute it widely
to academic and other audiences.

Application Process

The application packet is attached. Applications may also be downloaded via
the Internet at: http://www.aaionline.org. Applications will be reviewed by
a panel of distinguished scholars of African studies in the humanities and
social sciences. Complete applications must be received in hard copy at the
Africa-America Institute no later than July 16, 2001. Fax and email
applications will not be accepted.

Notification of the awards will take place on or about October 22, 2001.

Eligibility

This program is intended primarily for young and mid-career African
scholar-activists residing on the continent of Africa. Awards may also be
made to select African applicants residing outside of Africa. Preference is
given to individuals who have not recently visited North America.
Applications may be submitted in English, French or Portuguese. However,
proficiency in written spoken English is preferred for participation in the
U.S. study tour.

Themes

The following are suggested areas of research. We welcome proposals in all
areas related to the social sciences and humanities, and especially those
that address issues in the researchers' fields in creative ways.

 Democracy and Citizenship: New Political Processes and Popular
Participation
 Gender Relations and the Empowerment of Women
 Use of Information Technology in the Production of Knowledge,
 Social Change and Activism
 Culture and the Arts
 The Impact of the "Brain Drain": Strategies of Reintegration.
 Refugees and Disrupted Communities
 Conflict Resolution
 Community Activism
 Environmental Issues
 Science and Health with Social Implications

Completed applications should be sent to:

The Africa-America Institute
Claude Ake Memorial Awards
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20036-2259
U.S.A.

For inquiries, please contact the Africa-America Institute at the above
address or by email: [email protected]. For information and applications,
please visit the Africa-America Institute web site:
http://www.aaionline.org/.

The mission of The Africa-America Institute (AAI) is to promote enlightened
engagement between Africa and America through education, training and
dialogue. Founded in 1953, AAI is a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, nonprofit
organization, with offices in New York and Washington, DC, and a presence in
20 African countries.

The African Studies Association (ASA) was founded in 1957 as a nonprofit
organization open to all individuals and institutions interested in African
affairs. With over 3,000 individual and institutional members worldwide, ASA
is the leading North American organization that promotes African studies.
Its mission is to bring together people with a scholarly and professional
interest in Africa.

Claude Ake Memorial Awards Program

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

A completed application should include all items A through F. Your
completed application must be received by mail no later than July 16, 2001.

A. Complete Application form.

B. Biographical Statement: Please provide a biographical statement that is
double spaced and no more than one page in length.

C. Research Project Description: The research project description should be
1,500 to 2,000 words, typed and double-spaced. The description should:

. Include the project title;
. Demonstrate your knowledge of the field of study and how your project fits
into and/or will contribute to the field;
. Indicate the practical implications of the project and explain how it will
have an impact on a community, region or country;
. Describe research methodologies and explain how one will know that the
conclusions of the project are valid;
. Include a detailed timeline of activities and project completion.

D. Abstract: Please submit an abstract of no more than 200 words.

E. Budget: A detailed budget should clearly indicate all expenditures that
are directly related to the project. All items should be necessary for the
project and should be purchased or expended within the project time frame.
Items may include personnel, supplies, equipment and local transport. For
transport, please include mode of travel and locations, with costs estimated
as reasonably as possible.

F. Letters of Recommendation: You must provide two Letters of Support from
individuals with knowledge of your work. They should have worked closely
with you in a supervisory or mentor role. Attached are forms that may be
given to referees. Letters should be in sealed envelopes and should
accompany your application submission.

Please send complete application to:

The Africa-America Institute
Claude Ake Memorial Awards
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036-6332
USA