The McMaster Water Network has been awarded funding to support four Ugandan and three Canadian Early Career Researcher (ECR) / Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) short term (3 month) exchanges between Canada and Uganda, and a 3-month fieldwork season for two PhD students (from any Commonwealth Country who is studying at McMaster) in Uganda.
 
McMaster University, in partnership with Uganda Christian University (UCU), is operationalising the drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) for maternal health aspect of the overall initiative in East Africa, with a focus on Uganda.
 
It is anticipated that award winners will be paired between Canada and Uganda to maximise research opportunities and partnership engagement. Current placement partners (NGOs) include H2O 4 All (Canada), Save the Mothers (Canada), and Save the Mothers (East Africa). However, partnerships may be expanded depending on the particular interests of successful QES-AS applicants.
 
Eligibility
You must be eligible to apply as a candidate in one of the three categories of Early Career Researcher Post-doctoral Fellow, or PhD student (for fieldwork support).
 
The QES-AS Handbook uses the following definitions for eligibility purposes: 
An Early Career Researcher: Scholar is considered an early career researcher, defined as an individual who has completed independent research or has led his/her own laboratory or research project for 4-7 years or is in a tenure-track position at a degree-granting institution.
A Post-doctoral Fellow: Scholar is considered a post-doctoral fellow, defined as an individual who is conducting research after the completion of their doctoral studies. Fellows usually work under the mentorship of a lead researcher or a principal investigator.
A PhD Researcher: Scholar is considered a doctoral researcher, defined as an individual conducting research at the PhD level.
 
Canadian scholars must meet the following criteria:
• Be proficient in English;
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
• Participate in community engagement activities in Canada and/or in Uganda;
• Conduct research on a full-time basis at Uganda Christian University, of which no less than 30% of award time must involve research at the research placement partner (off campus).
 
Ugandan scholars must meet the following criteria:
• Be proficient in English;
• Be a citizen of an East African country;
• Participate in community engagement activities in Canada;
• Conduct research on a full-time basis at McMaster University, or in another approved LMIC, of which no less than 30% of award time must involve research at the research placement partner (off campus).
 

All participation is subject to the applicant being able to secure the appropriate visas, immunisations, and health insurance.
Funds available can only be used to support research activities. Tuition fees are not eligible under this award.
 
You must be able to commit to a minimum of 90 days in the exchange country (excluding travel time) to be able to access these awards. The awards can be used to defray costs associate with travel (most economical international airfare, airport taxes, visas, medical insurance, immunization and ground transportation), living (accommodation, local transportation, food, and communications), and research (research assistants, resources for the research, computer and laboratory services) expenses. Expenses for dependents are not eligible under these awards.