Call For Application- MSc Research Fellowship in Agroecology-based School and College Meal Systems

About The Msc Research Fellowship Opportunity

Machakos University in collaboration with the Alliance for food sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), Schools and colleges Permaculture Programme (SCOPE) – Kenya, Schools and colleges Permaculture Programme (SCOPE) – Malawi, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural resources (LUANAR), Agency for Integrated Rural Development (AFIRD) as well Kyambogo University will be implementing a project titled “Strengthening Agroecology-based School and College meal Systems in East and Southern Africa’’ with support from International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) and a Gender, Equality, Social Inclusion and Safeguarding (GESI-S) approach, the project will (i) assess how the existing school meal systems affect socio-economic dynamics in communities, (ii) engage stakeholders to co-design and test agroecology-based school meal models, and (iii) generate evidence for policy integration and scaling of successful models through policy advocacy and awareness raising.

As part of the implementation plan, the project will engage three students from Machakos University, Kyambogo University and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) as research assistants and support their master’s degree studies.

Eligibility Criteria

Interested candidates must be bona fide MSc students in agriculture, agroecology, environment, or related fields, who are in the second semester of their first year of study in the above universities. Prior knowledge of academic writing and experience in data collection/ analysis will be considered an added advantage.

Research Focus

The successful candidate will participate in research and practical trials in the following areas:

1. School meal programs
2. Agroecology based farming principles and technologies.
3. Participatory action research (PAR) methodologies.
4. Monitoring and evaluation approaches such as outcome harvesting.
5. Gender, Equality, Social inclusion and Safeguarding (GESI-S)

What We Offer

The project will provide support for research activities including data collection, data analysis, publication costs, and related research expenses.

How To Apply

Interested candidates are required to submit the following documents:

1. A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting academic and research achievements.
2. A 1-2 page statement of research interest aligned with the project objectives.
3. Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates
4. Two letters of recommendation from academic referees.

Application Submission

Pease send your application to [email protected] with the subject line: “MSc FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION – AGROECOLOGY-BASED SCHOOL AND COLLEGE MEAL SYSTEMS” by close of business on 19^th June 2026.

For Further Enquiries:

Please contact us via +254722687875

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