The Pro-RUWA 2.0 Network, in collaboration with the Rural Polytechnic Institute for Training and Applied Research (IPR/IFRA) of Katibougou, Mali, and with financial support from the DAAD, invites applications for an advanced training programme on the “Design, implementation and analysis of experimental setups in agricultural research”.
The training aims to strengthen the capacities of young scientists to design scientifically sound experiments and generate reliable and reproducible results in agriculture, natural resource management and climate change adaptation. It is open to teacher-researchers, research assistants and doctoral students at IPR/IFRA, with a maximum of 30 participants.
Participants will learn the principles of experimental design, including randomization, replication, experimental error and local control. The programme will cover major experimental designs, development of research hypotheses and protocols, field implementation, data quality management, statistical analysis using R/RStudio or equivalent software, and interpretation of agronomic results.
The training consists of an online phase on the DIGI-FACE platform, “An Introduction to Statistical Design and Modelling”: The first half of the course is all about statistical design. We’ll explore which variables to measure, how to avoid biases and misinterpretations in your research, and why diversity is important in your study designs. We’ll additionally introduce the concept of a treatment variable, an element which defines an experiment.
In the second half of the course, we’ll focus more on modelling. You’ll learn how sample size impacts hypothesis testing and what those p-values actually mean. We’ll also cover modelling techniques to handle data variability and how to compare different models.
Only completed online participants will be invited to in person training (at least 70%). The online course will be in English, in person training can be in English or French.
Followed by an in-person intensive training facilitated by Professor Dr. Amadou Hamadoun Babana of the Malian Academy of Sciences. We priority first the applicants from IPR/IFRA, based in Mali. Other applications will be considered if space is available. No travel funding is available.
Approximately 70% of the training will focus on practical applications, including case studies, field exercises, data analysis, protocol development and group work. By the end of the programme, participants should be able to independently design, implement, analyse and document scientifically valid agricultural experiments.
Application deadline: 25 August 2026 – e-learning course will be from 25 -30 August 2026
In person training: 1-4 September 2026
Application form: here or copy this to your browse: https://forms.gle/QX6G9NJvVjk7SG8u5
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