The Research Academy constitutes an educational program that addresses the most relevant aspects of social science research methods, and enables young researchers to improve their methodological, analytical and writing skills.

It is designed for junior researchers who are currently working on a research project in the field of social sciences at public or private research centers (higher education institutions, research institutes, think tanks), who have gained their master’s degree in the field of social sciences at a university in the countries of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia), and who live and work in the region.

The Research Academy is designed as a summer school composed of several linked one-day modules. During the program of the Research Academy junior researchers will be guided through all stages of the research process and the sessions will be highly interactive and practice-oriented.

The program will be delivered by a team of 13 trainers who come from a number of European and regional universities and research institutes, with extensive experience in the field of research methods and academic writing.

Who can apply?

• Junior researcher (MA / MSc graduates and/or early PhD students) with a maximum of 3 years experience in the field of social science research;
• Currently affiliated with a research institute / center, think tank, or university;
• Currently working on a research project as a researcher (research assistant, junior researcher, researcher, or similar);
• Has at least one published research paper;
• Good command of English.

The candidates must be graduates of a university in the region and currently living and working in a Western Balkan country (Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia).

How to apply?

The following documents shall be sent at rrpp@unifr.ch and lcubih@rrpp-westernbalkans.net by 15 January 2016

• Application form;
• CV (full Curriculum Vitae);
• Example of a research paper (research study, policy report, policy brief, policy memo, working paper, discussion paper, article in research journal, book chapter, or MA/MSc thesis);
• Description of the project (one page) that the candidate is currently working on, along with a description of his/her role in the project;
• Recommendation letter from a supervisor - The letter should support the applicant’s participation in the Research Academy, emphasizing the relevance of the training program for the applicant’s career prospects.

Dates to remember:

• Deadline for Applications: 15 January 2016;
• Selection of Participants: 9 February 2016;
• Research Academy: 11-18 April 2016

All the submission modalities, information on trainers and the programme can be viewed in the Call for Participants and the Programme of the Research Academy.

For any questions we are available at the following email addresses: rrpp@unifr.ch and lcubih@rrpp-westernbalkans.net