The Observatoire de la Francophonie économique (OFE) de l'Université de Montréal was created in June 2017 in partnership with the Government of Quebec, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF). Its mission is to become a leading resource on issues related to the economic Francophonie and, therefore, a world-class center for studies, research, and liaison and transfer activities on the economic Francophonie with a strong interest in developing countries, particularly in Africa.

As part of its objective to contribute to the structuring of research and to encourage the next generation of scientists in Francophone Africa, OFE has initiated, in close collaboration with the AUF, the FOrmation à la Recherche pour Jeunes Économistes francophones (FORJE) Program. This program consists of financing three to four month research stays abroad for the benefit of young doctoral and post-doctoral students whose research interests are in line with OFE's priorities. These stays give young Francophones the opportunity to learn more about the world of academic research, allowing them to consolidate their knowledge in their field of research, to be part of a network of international researchers and to establish research collaborations with other young and experienced researchers.

Participants receive a mobility grant to cover transportation, insurance and living expenses. This grant is broken down as follows:

• Round-trip economy airfare between the scholar's country of residence and the country of stay
• Basic travel insurance
• A flat-rate allowance to cover living expenses in the host country, visa fees, and transportation costs (amount varies depending on the host country)
• Monthly living allowance (amount varies depending on the country of stay)

The FORJE Program is realized through a partnership with French-speaking African universities. Fifteen young French-speaking Africans participated in the 2018 edition. They stayed in five universities located in Benin, Cameroon, Morocco, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tunisia (https://ofe.umontreal.ca/activites/programmes-de-stages/).

Like the 2018 edition, the 2019 edition stays will take place in French-speaking African universities and will last from three to four months.

Young researchers who wish to participate in the 2019 edition of the FORJE program must submit their application before May 31, 2019.

The conditions of participation are as follows:

• Be 35 years old or younger
• Be from a French-speaking African country
• Be enrolled in a doctoral program (at any university in the world) and plan to complete that program by September 31, 2020 or have earned their doctorate after September 1, 2018
• Be working on a topic that falls within one of OFE's research areas (https://ofe.umontreal.ca/a-propos/axes-de-recherche/)
• Have a good academic record
• Accept the OFE's terms of reference and the conditions of the scholarship

The application file must include the following documents:

• A letter summarizing the applicant's academic and professional background, motivations and expected benefits of an international research stay (500 words maximum)
• A description of the research project to be carried out during the research visit (1000 words maximum)
• A complete CV on the academic background, professional experience, research achievements, participation in scientific and training activities (3 pages maximum)
• An official transcript of all university studies
• A letter of recommendation from the thesis director
• A recent certificate of education, a copy of the highest degree obtained and proof that the doctoral program will be completed before September 31, 2020. For applicants who have completed their program, a copy of the doctoral degree or a certificate of completion if the degree has not yet been awarded

Incomplete, poorly prepared or illegible applications will not be considered.

Please send your application (a single PDF file including all required documents and named in a way that easily identifies you, example: Jean-Dubois.pdf) by Friday, May 31, 2019 via email to ofe@umontreal.ca.

For additional information, please contact OFE at ofe@umontreal.ca or visit http://ofe.umontreal.ca.