The Grant: 

A grant of $150,000 will be awarded to one successful applicant. The grant will support a research project or programme for up to three years (previously funded research not eligible).

Eligibility

The lead applicant should be:

a.      An early career scientist

Applicant must already hold a PhD degree and should have no more than seven years of work and/or research experience post-degree (excluding time taken for family responsibilities).

b.    Have strong links to a credible African institution

The institution must demonstrate a proven ability to manage funding and subscribe to good financial grant practices. Eligible institutions include academic institutions, research institutions, government institutions, NGOs, and for-profit organisations.

Furthermore, the proposed research should be focused on or in Africa.

Application TOPIC

Applicants’ proposals must demonstrate a strong link to biodiversity and conservation

Application deadline

2 May 2025 at 00:00 (SAST)

What the judges look for:

• Advances the frontiers of knowledge within the chosen field
• Facilitates solutions to African challenges: The research should try and solve an African challenge that occurs in more than one geography and is scalable to other areas. The research should include multiple research sites
• Demonstrates innovative methodologies and approaches
• Exhibits scientific rigour and excellence
• Contributes to human capital development (e.g. mentorship, support, and professional development opportunities) for the next generation of researchers.
• Incorporates a holistic perspective and involves inter-and multi-disciplinary collaboration with partners (preference intra-African) to leverage time, expertise, skills, materials, and resources and reduce duplication
• Articulates the potential to create impact both during and beyond the grant period
• Displays knowledge of associated recent or ongoing work on the continent.
• Defines a clear plan for disseminating research outcomes both inside and outside the scientific community
• Endeavours to open access publications (popular and scientific
• Does not present unacceptable ethical or safety risk