Research Fellows Programme

Status of Research Fellows

Research Fellows may be anyone with the status of doctoral, predoctoral post-doctoral or established senior researcher in another university or research centre and who, during the enjoyment of a sabbatical, study leave, mobility programme, funding scheme or another similar situation applies to undertake a research residency of a minimum of two months without interruption and a maximum of two years at the Department of Politics and Governance, University of Nicosia.

The status of Research Fellow will not entail any kind of contract with or appointment at the University of Nicosia.

PhD candidates can apply for a Junior Research Fellowship and must approach and secure the support of a member of the Department of Politics and Governance, who will act as mentor or advisor for the Research Fellow throughout their residency.

Senior Scholars (post-doc, Assistant Professor and above) can apply for a Senior Research Fellowship and must also approach and secure the support of a member of the Department of Politics and Governance, but do not need to have an assigned mentor. In the place of a mentor, will be an advisor/liaison, who has to be Senior Faculty, meaning either a Professor or Associate Professor.

All Faculty of the Department can act as mentor for junior scholars, independent of rank.

Terms and Conditions

For a residency at the Department of Politics and Governance, any Research Fellow must have the prior authorisation of the Head of the Department or delegated member of the Departmental council, as well as the consent of the Departmental Council.

Once authorisation from the Department has been granted, research fellows, before starting their residency at the University of Nicosia, must sign a document accepting the general terms and conditions of their residency.

The Department will hold and periodically publish a register of research fellows and all current Research Fellows will be listed on the Departmental website.

The Department or University provides Research Fellows with a document that certifies their status.

At the end of their residency, the Department or University issues a residency certificate to all Research Fellows.

If the University of Nicosia requires a lamp-sum for the residency certificate, then all research fellows at the Department of Politics and Governance must pay it in full before the end of their visiting period.

Research Fellows: Commitments and Rights

Research Fellows commit to undertake the research activities for which they have applied and been accepted and to respect the start and finish dates of their residency. Likewise, during their residency, they must promise to observe all relevant rules of the University of Nicosia that apply to them.
Any change in the duration of the residency that may affect the initial foreseen conditions will have to be authorised by the Head of the Department or delegated member of the Department’s Council.

The Department of Politics and Governance, within the regulatory framework of the University of Nicosia, may establish additional specific obligations related with the research activity of the research fellows (e.g. mention of the department and University of Nicosia in any published work that may arise from the research undertaken during the residency, final reports, etc.).

Research Fellows are responsible for covering their personal expenses, including travel, accommodation and living expenses, as well as medical expenses or any expenses arising from accidents, as well as obtaining any visas they may need to undertake their residency at the University of Nicosia.

Research Fellows are required to give at least one presentation of their work in the form of a lecture or seminar to all interested members of the School of Law or other university faculties, centres and departments. This presentation must be arranged between the research fellow and their mentor or advisor and be approved by the President of the Department or a delegated member of the Department’s Council.

Research Fellows enjoy the same library services, internet, online resources, sports and cultural services at the University of Nicosia.

The Department can offer Research Fellows additional specific services to facilitate their research activity, such as office space, and access to printing services, given there is availability at the time of the residency.

Research Fellows can participate in undergraduate and postgraduate classes without being considered as students or receiving credits or grades, given that this is authorised by the President of the Department or a delegated member of the Department’s Council.

Application process

Applications for Research Fellowships are decided on a rolling basis, and examined at each subsequent to the application meeting of the Departmental council.

The application must:

  1. include research objectives and more general purpose of the research fellowship, in the form of a Research and Activities proposal. A short bibliography must be enclosed at the end of the proposal.
  2. identify funding and sustenance sources for the duration of the residency.
  3. include a letter of recommendation from the faculty member who has accepted to support the application.
  4. enclose an up-to-date CV, including publications.