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 2 May 2025
JWO Grant: Top tips for researchers
Watch this Q&A 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.
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
Assessing the biological resilience of the African mangrove: Genetic diversity, reproductive efficiency, and phenology of selected mangrove species.
2025 Application Timeline
Previous Winners
2024 RECIPIENT
2023 RECIPIENT
2022 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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