Research grant
Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI)
TWAS
With the support of the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), UNESCO-TWAS launched a new programme to strengthen the capacity of African countries lagging in science and technology. The programme is aimed at early career researchers who have obtained their PhD abroad and have recently returned or will shortly return to an academic position in their home country. Grants are awarded to promising high-level research projects in Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth sciences, Engineering, Information Computer Technology, Mathematics, Medical Sciences and Physics and/or Germany’s High-Tech Agenda carried out in African countries lagging in science and technology identified by TWAS.
- Deadline
- Deadline not confirmed“The deadline for receiving applications will be updated once decided.”
- Support
- Full funding, Tuition, Living stipend, Travel support, Research budget, Paid internship, Training, Equipment, Non-financialup to USD 67,700
- Duration
- 120 weeks
Who can apply not stated by the source.
Details
The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) aims to support early-career scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa, prioritizing Least Developed Countries. It is fully funded by The German Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). Grants are awarded to PI-led research projects in Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering, ICT, Mathematics, Medical Sciences and Physics in African countries lagging in science and technology identified by TWAS. The total amount may be up to USD 67,700. Grants typically last 30 months and can be used for purchasing scientific equipment and consumables; some partial funding for fieldwork, maintenance of equipment and literature is possible. Proforma invoices are required for items valued at USD 5,000+ and salaries/travel are generally not covered unless related to conference/mobility components. The programme also includes components to support MSc students, international conference grants, industrial link grants, collaborative mobility grants, and open access publication grants, plus a maternity-related scientist-after-child grant. Applications are open to Principal Investigators who are nationals of eligible African countries lagging in science and technology, hold a PhD, are 40 or younger, and have conducted their PhD in a country different from their home country within the last 5 years, among other criteria. The deadline for applications is not fixed in the page and will be updated once decided; applicants are advised to apply early. The process involves an online application via an active Apply Now link when open, and a trilateral agreement with TWAS and the home institution is required if selected.
Requirements
- Nationals of an eligible African country lagging in science and technology
- Holds a PhD
- Good research experience
- PI must be 40 years old or younger
- PhD obtained within last 5 years in a country other than home country
- Returned to home country within last 36 months or will return before end of 2026
- Must hold or be offered a position at a university or research institution in home country
- Not currently holding an active TWAS or OWSD ECWS fellowship
- Applications from women scientists and those in Least Developed Countries encouraged
- Can only apply to one TWAS programme per calendar year
- Strong research proposal required