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Application Deadline: 31 March 2026
Applications are now open for the 2026 TWAS Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators.
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.
Programme Details
- SG-NAPI Grants are awarded to high-level promising research projects in Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Information Computer Technology, Mathematics, Medical Sciences and Physics carried out by Principal Investigators (PI) in the African countries lagging in science and technology identified by TWAS.
- In addition, Germany’s High-Tech Agenda is a national innovation initiative focused on key emerging technologies. If your research aligns with any of the following research areas Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technologies, Microelectronics, Biotechnology, Fusion and climate-neutral energy Generation or Technologies for climate-neutral mobility, you are strongly encouraged to apply.
- The total amount awarded for SG‑NAPI may be up to USD 67,700.
- The grants, typically awarded for a duration of 30 months, can be utilized for the purchase of scientific equipment and consumables. This includes in exceptional cases partial funding for fieldwork, maintenance of equipment and specialized literature, such as textbooks and proceedings only. If any single item of equipment is valued at USD 5,000 or above, a valid proforma invoice from a supplier must be uploaded to the application portal. The grant does not cover salaries of the Principal Investigator or travel expenses unless they are clearly related to one of the conference and/or mobility components mentioned below. Additionally, please note that the purchase of fuel, fees for experts or consultants or labourers, laptops, tablets, drones and laboratory animals is not supported.
- Awarded PIs may also support MSc student as part of the project, request funding for international conference grant, industrial link grant with partners in Germany, collaborative mobility grant in Germany and open access publication grant. Full details of each component are laid out in the guidelines.
- The programme has an additional component which seeks to enhance the productivity of female scientists returning to academia after a maternity leave, scientist-after-child grant. Full details of this component can be found in the guidelines.
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 years old or younger. 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 2026.
- 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 guidelines).
- 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.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the TWAS Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators
