April 20, 2023 deadline for submissions | Grants for New African Principal Investigators from TWAS in 2023 (SG-NAPI)
A new program was started by UNESCO-TWAS with funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). To help African nations that lag behind in science and technology. Young scientists who are establishing themselves in their nation or who are preparing to return home. To take up university positions are the target audience for the program.
Grants are given to promising, high-level research initiatives. In the fields of agriculture, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, engineering, information technology, computer science, mathematics, medical sciences, and physics that are being conducted in TWAS-identified African nations that are falling behind in science and technology.
Early-career researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa are intended to be helped by the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI), with a focus on Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
The German Ministry of Education and Research has provided full funding for the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) (BMBF).
Program Information
- SG-NAPI Grants are given to Principal Investigators (PI) in the African nations identified by TWAS as being behind in science and technology who are conducting high-level, promising research projects in the fields of agriculture, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, engineering, information computer technology, mathematics, medical sciences, and physics.
- The maximum amount of research grants given to research units is USD 67,700.
- The grants, which are typically offered for a period of 24 months, may be used to buy specialized books, consumables (which may include some fieldwork), and scientific equipment (textbooks and proceedings only). The Principal Investigator’s salary and travel costs are not covered by the grant unless they directly relate to one of the conference and/or mobility components listed below. Please take note that funding is not available for the purchase of fuel, expert or consultancy fees, laptops, tablets, drones, or laboratory animals.
- Awarded PIs may additionally ask for money for open access publishing grants, international conference grants, industrial connection grants, mobility grants, and MSc student support as part of the project. The recommendations include comprehensive information about each component.
- The program also includes a scientist-after-child award that aims to increase the productivity of female scientists who are returning to academia after maternity leave. The recommendations contain comprehensive information about this component.
Eligibility
- Applying Principal Investigators must be citizens of a qualifying nation, have a PhD, and have a strong background in research. The award should be used at a university or research facility in an African nation that is behind its peers in terms of science and technology.
- The PI needs to be under 40. Anyone who submits an application and turns 41 in the same year is ineligible.
- The principal investigator (PI) must have earned their doctorate during the previous five years in a nation other than their own.
- The PI must have visited their home nation recently (see to the list in the requirements) or plan to do so before the end of 2023.
- The principal investigator (PI) must currently hold, be under consideration for, or have accepted employment at an academic or research organization (including foreign research centers) in their native nation.
- The PI must be a citizen of an African nation that qualifies but is behind in science and technology (refer to list in the giudelines).
- The applicant must not be currently holding a TWAS or OWSD Early Career Women Scientists (ECWS) Fellowship research grant at the time of submission.
- Applications from scientists in Least Developed Countries and from women are especially encouraged.
- The candidate must submit a compelling research proposal; you may learn more about how to do this by visiting AuthorAID.
- Please be aware that applicants are limited to one TWAS and OWSD portfolio program application per calendar year. In that year, applicants are ineligible to participate in the TWAS Visiting Scientists or Visiting Professor programs at any other school. Except for: The director of an institution may still apply for another program even when they have invited an outside scholar to offer their expertise through the TWAS Visiting Professor or TWAS Visiting Expert programs.
How to Apply
- Make sure you have read and comprehended the instructions completely.
- Once the call is open, SG-NAPI grant applications must be submitted online by selecting the “Apply Now” link at the bottom of this page. Please be aware that the connection won’t be activated until the call begins (or after it is closed).
- Please be aware that a researcher may only submit one application at a time and for one type of grant (IsDB or the OWSD Early Career Women Scientists (ECWS) Fellowship) (as an individual applicant, as a research unit, or otherwise).
- In order to remain in their home country for the term of the award, applicants are not permitted to apply for other TWAS programs during the same year, including the Postdoctoral, Visiting Scholar, and Visiting Researcher programs.
- Please contact the TWAS SG-NAPI Grants office with any questions at sgnapi@twas.org.
For More Information
Visit the TWAS Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators’ official website (SG-NAPI)
Grants for New African Principal Investigators from TWAS in 2023
