FOR GEOLOGY AND BOTANY RELATED TO HUMAN ORIGINS
Francis H. Brown African Scholarship
The purpose of the Francis H. Brown African Scholarship Fund is to expand human knowledge and scientific interest in earth sciences and botany related to human origins by providing financial assistance to East African researchers and students pursuing research in these areas. The fund is further intended to support research that builds on the work of Dr. Francis H. Brown and builds capacity in the earth and botanical sciences in East African institutions and countries.
“The Francis H. Brown African Scholarship is a much-needed resource for aspiring East African earth scientists and botanists. Our father believed deeply that Africans should be given the same opportunities to research our shared history and be stewards of the natural wonders that reside in their region. This fund represents his commitment to making his vision a reality.”
Erica Brown Gaddis
Elise Brown Ersoy
Daughters of Francis H. Brown, Leakey Foundation Trustees
Photo by Husna Mashaka.
Information for Applicants
This scholarship is open to students or researchers who are citizens of Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Djibouti, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Mozambique, Malawi or Eritrea who (a) are pursuing a graduate degree at an accredited university, preferably from, but not limited to, an institution located in sub-Saharan Africa or (b) have completed their doctoral degrees not longer than ten (10) years prior to the time of application for funding from this source.
Applicants must be pursuing research in earth sciences and/or paleobotany related to human origins. Applicants shall demonstrate a commitment to a career in their field of study with an emphasis on research and teaching in his/her country of citizenship following the completion of his/her degree.
When to apply
- July 15
Amounts
- Up to $30,000
Who can apply
- Graduate students or post PhD researchers who are citizens of Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Djibouti, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Mozambique, Malawi or Eritrea.
- Applicants must be pursuing education or research in earth sciences or paleobotany related to human origins.
Eligible expenses
- The grant can only be used for expenses directly related to your research and essential to the project such as travel, living expenses during fieldwork, supplies, and research expenses.
- The grant will not cover institutional overhead, salary, benefits, or publication costs.
How to apply
During the application process, you will be asked to fill out forms in our online application system and upload attachments with your application.
The application has the following elements:
- Proposal
- Budget
- Budget Justification
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) for you and your advisor (for students)
- Sponsor Letter (for Students)
- Photo
- References/citations for your proposal
Please carefully read and follow the instructions for each attachment listed, using the detailed instruction packet link below.
Start your application
Download the application materials and begin your online application.
Applications are accepted once a year on July 15th. Notifications will be sent in December.
About Francis H. Brown
Dr. Francis H. Brown (1943-2017) was a geologist whose study of the Omo-Turkana basin provided the basis for the timeline of human evolution. He devoted more than fifty years to mapping and analyzing the geology of northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia, and his work provided a way to place fossil finds in chronological order.
During his time working in Ethiopia and Kenya, Frank Brown became an expert in not only the geology but also the plant life of the Omo-Turkana basin. He studied several languages, including Kiswahili, Kikamba, Kikuyu, and Turkana. He also sponsored the education of many university students from Ethiopia and Kenya.
He taught at the University of Utah where he served as chair of the department of geology and geophysics and received the Rosenblatt Prize, the highest honor of the University of Utah. He also served as co-chair of The Leakey Foundation’s Scientific Executive Committee from 1993 until his untimely death in September 2017 and he was a deeply beloved member of the Leakey Foundation family. We are honored to work in partnership with his daughters, Elise Brown Ersoy and Erica Brown Gaddis, to fulfill one of Frank’s wishes, the creation and funding of the Francis H. Brown African Scholarship Fund.
Read more about Dr. Frank Brown and his many important contributions to science.
View past Francis H. Brown African Scholarship recipients in the grantee database.