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The Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Research Grant (JWO Research Grant) was established to honour the late Mrs Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer and continue her extensive contribution to and passion for Africa, the environment, and science.

Applications close 3 MAY 2024

JWO Grant: Top tips for researchers

Join this webinar for insights into the criteria and application requirements for the Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer (JWO) annual research grant.

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The countdown begins!

Our Top 9 Finalists

A record number of nine finalists has been selected for the annual JWO Research Grant. The winning applicant for 2024 will be awarded $150,000 (USD). Due to the strength of this year’s applications, the short-list is longer than usual. Applications were received from all over Africa, as well as from beyond the continent. This year, the grant received over 630 applications from across 35 African countries and 6 non-African countries. Among the African nations, Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mozambique were prominently represented. Additionally, applications were also received from candidates in India, Pakistan, the UK, the US, and New Zealand.

This year’s winner will be announced at the annual Oppenheimer Research Conference which takes place from October 9-11 in Johannesburg.

The finalists, and their research project proposals, are:

Register here to join the webinar.

Shannon Conradie

Linking physics and biology to inform wildlife conservation under global change: an interdisciplinary approach across terrestrial and freshwater systems.

Nompumelelo Baso

Fostering trophic resistance to climate change and biological invasions in African freshwater ecosystems.

Maggie Reddy

An innovative approach to addressing climate change impacts and conservation challenges in the African Sea Forest.

Glynis Humphrey

Fire to Sea: Tracking wildfires and oceanic Carbon (C) dynamics for biodiversity conservation in Southern Africa.

Steve Baleba

Bernard Soh Baleba

Promoting Pollinator Diversity and Crop Yield through Targeted Habitat Restoration in East African Agroecosystems.

Fredrick Ojija

Combating invasive plants to enhance biodiversity conservation and livelihoods in Africa.

Likulunga Likulunga

Ethnobotany and Belowground Biodiversity Exploratory in Miombo Woodlands.

Kwadwo Kusi

Forest-health-nutrition nexus: identifying, mapping and conserving common aromatic and medicinal plants along the climatic gradient in West Africa.

Henry Okonkwo

Henry Okonkwo

Assessing the biological resilience of the African mangrove: Genetic diversity, reproductive efficiency, and phenology of selected mangrove species.

2024 Application Timeline

2 April 2024
00:00 (SAST)
Online applications open
03 April 2024
14:00 - 15:00
Q&A Webinar
3 May 2024
00:00 (SAST)
Online applications close
10 June 2024
Full proposal invitation
8 July 2024
00:00 (SAST)
Full proposals due
12 - 16 August 2024
Sub Label
Interview week for Top 3
10 October 2024
ORC Conference 9-11 October 2024

Successful grant recipient awarded

Previous Winners

2024 RECIPIENT

Dr Dr Shannon Conradie

Linking physics and biology to inform wildlife conservation under global change: an interdisciplinary approach across terrestrial and freshwater systems.

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2023 RECIPIENT

Dr Lovamenjanhary Marline

Bioindicators of biodiversity, air quality and climate change – leveraging non-charismatic groups, bryophytes and lichens, in the tropical afro-malagasy region.

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2022 RECIPIENT

Dr Elizabeth Le Roux

Cattle corridors – aligning ecological processes and local livelihoods.

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2021 Recipient

Dr Gideon Idowu

Microplastics and plastic-derived chemical contaminants in Africa: Implication on human health and the loss of aquatic biodiversity

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2020 Recipient

Inaugural Recipient

2023 RECIPIENT

Dr Lovamenjanhary Marline

Bioindicators of biodiversity, air quality and climate change – leveraging non-charismatic groups, bryophytes and lichens, in the tropical afro-malagasy region.

Read more

2022 RECIPIENT

Dr Elizabeth Le Roux

Cattle corridors – aligning ecological processes and local livelihoods.

Read more

2021 Recipient

Dr Gideon Idowu

Microplastics and plastic-derived chemical contaminants in Africa: Implication on human health and the loss of aquatic biodiversity

Read more

2020 Recipient

Inaugural Recipient

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The Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Research Grant (JWO Research Grant) is a member of Oppenheimer Generations, a diverse community of commercial ventures and not-for-profit organisations representing the global interests of the Nicky and Jonathan Oppenheimer family. 
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