TWAS Call for Applications: Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators

The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) was established in response to the needs of researchers in developing countries, particularly those attached to institutions that lack appropriate research facilities and is fully funded by The German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). 

The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) aims to support early-career scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa, with particular emphasis on Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The grants, which are normally provided for a period of 24 months, the grant may be used to purchase scientific equipment, consumables, which can include fieldwork and maintenance of equipment and specialized literature.

Research Grants to research units amount to a maximum of USD 67,700.

Eligibility: 

• Applying Principal Investigators must be nationals of an eligible country, who holds a PhD and has good research experience. The grant should operate within a university or a research institution in one of the African countries lagging in science and technology. The PI must be 40 or under. Any applicant turning 41 in the year of application is not eligible.
• The PI must have obtained their Ph.D. within the last 5 years in a country other than their home country.
• The PI must have returned to their home country (refer to list in the guidelines) within the last 36 months or will return home before the end of 2021.
• The PI must hold, be offered or be in the process of accepting a position at an academic and/or research institution (including international research centers) in their home country.
• The PI must be national of an eligible African country that is lagging in science and technology (refer to list in the giudelines).
• Applicant must at the time of application NOT have an active research grant with TWAS or OWSD Early Career Women Scientists (ECWS) Fellowship.
• Applications from women scientists and those working in Least Developed Countries are especially encouraged.
• The applicant must submit a strong Research Proposal, you may find further information on how to write a strong proposal by visiting AuthorAID.
• Please be advised that applicants may apply for only one programme per calendar year in the TWAS and OWSD portfolio. Applicants will not be eligible to visit another institution in that year under the TWAS Visiting Scientists the Visiting Professor programmes. One exception: The head of an institution who invites an external scholar to share his/her expertise under the TWAS Visiting Professor programme or the TWAS Visiting Expert programme may still apply for another programme.

Read more here.

Applications deadline July 27, 2021.