Codesria
Comparative Research Networks
Call for Proposals for 2011

Within the framework of its strategy for building comparative knowledge on Africa produced from within the African continent, the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) invites proposals from researchers based in African universities and centres of research for the constitution of Comparative Research Networks (CRNs) to undertake studies on or around any of the themes identified as priority research themes within the framework of the CODESRIA strategic plan for the period 2007 – 2011. The primary purpose for which the CRNs have been introduced is to encourage the development and consolidation of a comparative analytic perspective in the work of African social researchers. In so doing, it is hoped to establish a strong corpus of comparative studies produced by African scholars and which could help to advance theoretical knowledge and discussion. Priority research themes for the constitution of CODESRIA CRNs include the following:

1. Re-thinking (African) Development;
2. Re-thinking Democracy (in Africa);
3. Engendering Democracy and Development;
4. Transitions in African Higher Education;
5. Reforming the African Public Sector: Retrospect and Prospect;
6. The Changing Political Economy of African Natural Resources;
7. African Encounters with the Global System;
8. The Popular Arts, Identity and Culture in Contemporary Africa;
9. Health, Politics and Society in Contemporary Africa;
10. Migration Dynamics and the Making of New Diasporic Communities;
11. Changing Rural-Urban Linkages;
12. New Regionalist Impulses in Africa;
13. New Institutions of Transitional Justice;
14. Conflict and Reconstruction in Africa;
15. Law, Politics and Society;
16. State, Political Identity and Political Violence;
17. Political Pluralism and the Management of Diversity;
18. Water and Water Resources in the Political Economy of Development and Citizenship;
19. Ecology, Climate and Environmental Sustainability in Africa;
20. Transport and Transportation Systems in Africa;
21. Africa and the “Emerging” Powers of the Global South (China, India, Brazil...)
22. Religion, Spirituality and Power in Africa

Interested researchers are requested to highlight clearly the comparative question which they wish to pursue. Each proposal should include: an introduction - problem statement – review of related literature - the objectives of the study - the research methodology - the results - the outline of the proposed budget and time frame knowing that the total duration of the study is 18 months from the date of launch. Furthermore the proposal should indicate, the membership composition of the network, including the coordinator(s) of the group; the biodata and institutional affiliation of the network members; copies of the curriculum vitaes of the coordinator(s) and members of the network; the budget outline for the activities that are proposed. The identification sheet attached to this call shall be filled and sent along with the elements of CRN. Any application submitted does not contain the required elements will not be taken into account. Apart from the CVs of members of networks proposals should not exceed 12 pages (font: Times New Roman, size of fonts: 12, line spacing: single).

Authors of proposals submitted for consideration are urged to pay close attention to the comparative methodology which they will be applying and to demonstrate a proper understanding of the challenges of carrying out comparative studies. The independent Selection Committee that will be reviewing the CRN proposals received will be mandated to eliminate all proposals that are either silent on the comparative question that will be researched and the corresponding comparative methodology that will be employed or which show an inadequate understanding of the challenges of comparative research.

Each CRN will be entitled to organise three meetings during its lifespan, one methodological; the second one to evaluate the progress of the work of the members of the group and a final one to wind up the work. Although the budget that will be approved for the CRNs to be supported will vary from group to group, prospective applicants may wish to note for indicative purposes only that the grants that were awarded by CODESRIA in the recent past ranged from USD10,000 to USD35,000. Similarly, although no specific format is required for the presentation of the budget for the work that is proposed, authors may wish to note that resources will be allocated by the Council to cover the following costs:

i) A methodological workshop for the members of the CRN;
ii) A review workshop at which the progress of the work of the CRN members will be assessed;
iii) The field work to be undertaken by the members of the network;
iv) Books to be purchased for the work of the CRN;
v) Honorariums to be paid to the members of the CRN for the work undertaken.
vi) Final workshop

The size of a CRN will vary from proposal to proposal, on average, of four to six members. It is advantageous to ensure that a proposed CRN is multidisciplinary in composition, sensitive to gender issues, and accommodative of younger scholars.

For the 2011 competition, CODESRIA will be open to receive proposals up to 15 June, 2011. Notification of the result of the selection exercise will be made by 31 July, 2011. The methodology workshop for the selected CRNs will be in September 2011. Proposals (electronic versions) for the constitution of CRNs should be sent to:

Comparative Research Networks
CODESRIA,
BP 3304, CP 18524
Dakar, Senegal.
Tel: +221-33825 98 22/23
Fax:+221-33824 12 89
E-mail: [email][email protected]
Web Site: http://:www.codesria.org