Full Scholarships in Agricultural Economics or Agribusiness SUA 2026, The SokoineUniversity of Agriculture (SUA)in collaboration with the University of Dodoma (UDOM), Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in South Africa and Copenhagen Business School(CBS)in Denmark isinvolved intheimplementation of a new research projectentitled: “Market Power, Climate Change, and Vulnerability in Food Value Chains in Tanzania (MAPOCAVU)”.
The MAPOCAVU project focuses on two key staple grains, maize and rice,and seeks to generate granular evidence on how governance frameworks shape resilience and vulnerability among actorsalongfood value chains in Tanzania.
The project pays particular attention to the interaction between market power and climate changeacrosstheproduction–to–consumptionchain.The overall objective of the project is to interrogate two dominant assumptions that underpin many current development interventions in food systems aimed at addressing climate change.
First, it is commonly assumed that food value chains in Tanzania and Eastern Africa operate under competitive conditions, with prices, production incentives, and consumer affordability determined by open markets involving many buyers and sellers.
Second, climate change interventions intended to enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability are often assumed to be most effective when implemented primarily at the local level.MAPOCAVU critically examines these assumptions by analyzing how market power and climate change jointly influence outcomes for producers, traders, consumers and other actors within food value chains in Tanzania.
PhD SCHOLARSHIPS
The project invites applications from twosuitably qualified candidates for a three–year(3) fully funded PhD scholarships to be undertaken at the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Sokoine University of Agriculture, starting in the 2026/2027 academic year.
The PhD positions are aligned with two thematic areas:•
PhD Position 1–(PhD1):
Market power and governance structures in food value chains, with emphasis on maize and rice from production to downstream markets.The selected candidatewill draw on a combination of value chain theory, political economy,and competition economicsto analyze
the interaction between climate change and market power within the maize andrice value chains.
The research will analyze how climate–induced shocks (such as production variability and supply disruptions) alter bargaining power along the value chain and how dominant actors may leverage these conditions to reinforce market power.
Combiningthe analysis ofvalue chains, institutional frameworks and regulation, the study will assess the effectiveness of existing competition frameworks and identify policy design options that can mitigate vulnerabilities, improve market fairness, and enhance the resilience ofweaker market participants.
•PhD Position 2–(PhD2):
Climate change and vulnerability among rural and urban low–income food consumers.
The selected candidatewill employ behavioraleconomics approaches to examine consumer behaviorin the context of market disruptions and climate change shocks,in view of assessing different forms of vulnerability and their interconnections.
The study will combine qualitative research, household survey analysis,and panel datato assess the impacts of selected policy and market interventions on household food choices and vulnerability in both rural and urban settings.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
•Be a citizen of Tanzania, aged 40 years or below.
•HaveobtainedaPhDadmissionorhaveappliedforaPhDadmissionatSokoineUniversityofAgriculture.
•Hold a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and a Master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 4.0.Female candidates are highly and strongly encouraged to apply.
THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
The PhD scholarships are funded by DANIDA. Successful candidates will benefit from a rich academic and research environment and will work closely with scholars from SUA, UDOM, UJ, and CBS.
The scholarship is for 3 years and coversthe following:
a stipend; tuitionfees; research related cost; study and research visits to Denmark(two periods of approximately three months each); participation to two international scientific conferences.
All payments and benefits will be administered in accordance with SUA regulations.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applications must include the following documents:
•A cover letter clearly indicating the PhDpositionyou are applyingfor;
•Explain your motivation for pursuing thePhDand how it alignswith your career goals;
•A maximum of 2pages signed Curriculum Vitae;
•Certified copies of the certificate and transcript;
•A confirmation of admission/provisional admission at the SUA;
•Research concept note (3 pages max) in therelevant work packageand
•Two recommendation letters
INTERVIEW AND SELECTION
Shortlisted candidates will be notified and invited for interviews by May 2026.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should submit a complete application package by email, clearly indicating the subject line:“Full PhD Scholarship Application –PhD1 orPhD2”,
please indicate which one of the two you are applying
Application deadline: 16thMarch2026at 12:00 noon.
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For further clarification, please contact the Project Secretary at +255 653 836 438
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