Terms of Service

Young Africans Research Academy

Last Updated: March 07, 2025

Welcome to the Young Africans Research Academy (YARA) website. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the YARA website (the "Website"), your application to the YARA Fellowship Program (the "Program"), and your participation in Program activities. By accessing the Website, submitting an application, or participating in the Program, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Website or engage with the Program.

1. About YARA

The Young Africans Research Academy (YARA) is a Pan-African initiative designed to train and mentor undergraduate students in Ghana and across Africa in research across various disciplines. Our mission is to develop the next generation of indigenous researchers committed to solving Africa's most pressing problems through high-quality, ethical, and relevant research.

2. Eligibility

To use the Website and apply for the Program, you must:

Be an undergraduate student currently enrolled at a recognized university.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Have a demonstrated interest in research and a commitment to completing the Program's requirements if selected.
Reside in Ghana or be eligible under the Program's Pan-African scope (specific eligibility criteria are outlined in the Fellowship Application documents).

YARA reserves the right to determine eligibility and reject applications that do not meet these criteria or the Program's standards.

3. Use of the Website

a. Permitted Use

You may use the Website to:

Learn about YARA and the Fellowship Program.
Submit an application to the Program.
Access resources or updates related to your participation (if accepted).

b. Prohibited Use

You agree not to:

Use the Website for any unlawful, fraudulent, or harmful purpose.
Attempt to interfere with, damage, or disrupt the Website's functionality, security, or integrity (e.g., hacking, introducing malware).
Misrepresent your identity or provide false information during the application process.
Copy, reproduce, or distribute Website content without prior written permission from YARA, except as permitted for personal, non-commercial use.

YARA reserves the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Website for violating these Terms.

4. Fellowship Program Participation

a. Application Process

To apply, you must submit accurate and complete information as outlined in the Fellowship Application, including personal details, academic records, and supporting documents.
Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the Program. YARA's selection committee will review applications and notify shortlisted applicants of next steps.
You agree not to submit AI-generated or plagiarized content in your application materials, as this may result in disqualification.

b. Program Obligations

If accepted into the Program, you agree to:

Participate fully in all required activities, including online sessions, summer research programs, boot camps, and mentorship meetings.
Adhere to YARA's Code of Conduct, research ethics guidelines, and academic integrity standards (to be provided upon acceptance).
Submit a final research paper/report and present your findings at the YARA Research Symposium as part of the graduation criteria.

c. Termination of Participation

YARA may terminate your participation in the Program if you:

Fail to meet the Program's requirements or deadlines without valid justification.
Engage in misconduct, including plagiarism, unethical research practices, or behavior that harms the Program's reputation.
Provide false information during or after the application process.

5. Intellectual Property

a. Your Contributions

By submitting application materials, research proposals, papers, or presentations, you grant YARA a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and distribute your work for Program-related purposes (e.g., symposiums, publications, promotional materials).

You retain ownership of your intellectual property, subject to this license. Personal identifiers will be removed from published works unless you consent otherwise.

b. YARA's Content

All content on the Website, including text, logos, designs, and training materials, is owned by YARA or its licensors and protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

You may not use, modify, or distribute YARA's content without prior written permission, except for personal use related to the Program.

6. Privacy

Your use of the Website and participation in the Program are also governed by our Privacy Policy (link to Privacy Policy), which details how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By agreeing to these Terms, you also acknowledge the Privacy Policy.

7. Disclaimers

Website Availability: The Website is provided "as is" and "as available." YARA does not guarantee uninterrupted access or error-free operation.
Program Outcomes: Acceptance into the Program does not guarantee specific career outcomes, publication of research, or funding opportunities. YARA provides mentorship and resources but cannot ensure individual success.
Accuracy of Information: While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, YARA is not liable for errors or omissions on the Website or in Program materials.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

YARA, its affiliates, employees, or partners will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Website or participation in the Program (e.g., loss of data, opportunities, or profits).
Our total liability for any claim related to these Terms will not exceed the amount you paid to access the Website or Program (if applicable, typically $0 as services are free).

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless YARA, its staff, mentors, and partners from any claims, damages, or losses arising from your misuse of the Website, violation of these Terms, or actions during the Program (e.g., unethical conduct, infringement of third-party rights).

10. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of Ghana.

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your participation in the Program will be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved, disputes will be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Ghana.

11. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms to reflect changes in our practices, Program structure, or legal requirements. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the Website or participation in the Program after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

12. Termination

You may stop using the Website at any time.
YARA may terminate your access to the Website or Program participation at its discretion, with or without notice, for violations of these Terms or other justifiable reasons.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms, please reach out to us:

Email: yafricaresearch@gmail.com
Phone: +233 55 393 0543
Address: 6 Fifth Avenue, Haatso-Accra. Ghana

Thank you for engaging with the Young Africans Research Academy. We look forward to supporting your research journey across any discipline as we work together to address Africa's challenges.