CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR PhD SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER THE FACE-NDC PROJECT AT THE COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY FOR 2026 INTAKE

ADVERTISEMENT FOR 2026 PHD SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER THE FACILITY FOR ACTION FOR CLIMATE EMPOWERMENT TO ACHIEVE NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS (FACE NDC) PROJECT

CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR PhD SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER THE FACE-NDC PROJECT AT THE COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY FOR 2026 INTAKE

The Copperbelt University, through the School of Natural Resources and the School of Engineering, is one of the five consortium partners in the Facility for Action for Climate Empowerment to Achieve Nationally Determined Contributions (FACE-NDC) Project, whose implementation timeline spans from 2023 to 2030. Other partners include: The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the University of Zambia (UNZA). FAO is the lead partner, whereas the International Climate Initiative (IKI) from Germany is the principal funder. The FACE-NDC project seeks to empower the Zambian society to achieve the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) through enabling them to adopt climate-friendly behaviours and to support transition to a green economy with a focus on three (3) sectors namely: forestry, agriculture and energy.

The Biomass Energy Center of Excellence at Copperbelt University, supported under the FACE-NDC initiative, is being established to advance renewable energy research and innovation in Zambia. With new ISO/IEC 17025-aligned laboratories for solid, liquid, and gaseous bioenergy, the Center is positioned to become a regional hub for training, research, and sustainable energy solutions.

As one of its goals, the FACE-NDC Project will be providing two (2) scholarships at PhD education levels for candidates to undertake their studies at the Copperbelt University in thematic areas pertaining to renewable energy.

Therefore, the Copperbelt University hereby requests for applications for FACE NDC scholarships for PhD studies. Recipients of these scholarships will be expected to be at the University pursuing full time studies for the duration of their sponsored study programmes.

Eligibility criteria

The call is open to Zambian nationals only, aged 35 years and below.

Females are strongly encouraged to apply as these scholarships will be awarded to a minimum of 50% females. Priority will also be given to candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those from low-income households, under-represented communities, and remote or rural areas.

Ineligibility

Employees within public administration, including Government Ministries or other governmental bodies are not eligible for these scholarships.

Applicants for the FACE NDC scholarship should not already be enrolled in another Programme at the Copperbelt University.

Thematic areas for PhD study

PhD Scholarship applicants will be expected to have been admitted in the PhD in Renewable Materials and Energy programme.

The thematic areas of applied research will be situated within the research area of renewable energy but are not limited to, the following themes:

1. Resource recovery for the rural economy towards clean cooking and poverty alleviation

2. Impact of Harvesting, Drying, and Storage Conditions on Fuel Quality Degradation in Forest and Agricultural Residues

3. Harnessing the climate-resilient and bioenergy potential of agroforestry species to develop sustainable tree-based energy solutions

4. Assessment of key determinants of biomass resource selection and production of woodfuel in the Miombo ecosystems

Requirements:

1. Possess a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree from relevant fields including Forestry, Biomaterials Science, Renewable Energy, Wood Science and Technology,Sustainable Natural Resources Management, Climate Change.

2. Unconditional admission offer (except for funding) for the upcoming academic year to the PhD in Renewable Materials and Energy programme at the Copperbelt University

3. At least three (3) recommendation letters, with one from previous academic supervisor, highlighting the applicant's academic and research capabilities;

4. A strong and novel research concept note of not more than 1000 words showcasing

the applicant's research questions, methodology, and it should state clearly how the

generated knowledge will contribute to the collective uptake of green economy

innovations, and climate change mitigation practices in the domain of renewable energy;

5. A curriculum vitae showing demonstrated research experience through publications, conference presentations, or research projects.

6. Statement of purpose (motivation letter). Scholarship value

This scholarship covers: full tuition fees, one-off research grant (paid in the second year), and a living allowance paid once a year.

Submission of Application

The application for the scholarship should be addressed to the undersigned and submitted not later than 24th July, 2026.

Note that the shortlisting of applicants will be done within two weeks of the closing date. Interviews will be conducted for the shortlisted candidates with the panel including CBU and FAO staff.

The Coordinator,

FACE NDC Project,

Copperbelt University,

School of Natural Resources,

P.O. Box 21692, Kitwe

Applications shall be made through Email only to dean.snr@cbu.ac.zm and copied to; gillian.kabwe@cbu.ac.zm; face-ndc@fao.org . For clarifications contact Prof. G. Kabwe on 0974355949 and/or email: gillian.kabwe@cbu.ac.zm

All candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application. The University will also publish the list of selected candidates on the university's website and other official social media platforms.