RFPs: ICGEB BiotechNet Collaborative Research Grant Programme

The ICGEB BiotechNet Collaborative Research Grant Programme funds collaborative projects in biomedical, agricultural, industrial, and bioenergy research that address national and regional priorities. Grants of up to €24,000 per year for a maximum of 24 months support consumables, basic laboratory equipment, travel, and training, while requiring hosting of fellows from partner countries to strengthen collaboration. Eligible Principal Investigators from designated beneficiary countries must integrate international collaboration into their proposals and obtain national endorsement for application consideration.

Program Overview

The ICGEB BiotechNet Collaborative Research Grant Programme promotes high-quality, collaborative research projects that tackle original scientific problems of national relevance with regional impact. Funded through the ICGEB CRP Grants scheme, the program also facilitates training, capacity building, and the development or upgrading of research infrastructure in Member States.

Supported research areas include:

• Basic Science – foundational research in biological and biophysical sciences

• Human Healthcare – projects addressing public health and biomedical challenges

• Industrial Biotechnology – innovations in industrial applications of biotechnology

• Agricultural Biotechnology – research to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability

• Bioenergy – development of renewable and sustainable energy sources

A dedicated funding channel, supported by the Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development, is available for researchers in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.

Funding and Duration

• Maximum Annual Grant: €24,000

• Maximum Project Duration: 24 months

• Eligible Costs:

  • Consumables and reagents

  • Scientific literature and publications

  • Basic laboratory equipment

  • Approved travel and training activities

Ineligible Costs:

• Salaries of Principal Investigators

• Institutional overheads or infrastructural costs

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following:

• Principal Investigators must hold positions at universities or research institutes in designated beneficiary countries

• International collaboration is required and must be fully integrated in the project design

• Collaborators’ roles must be clearly defined and justified

• Preference for projects addressing national/regional priorities, cross-country collaborations, and new partnerships

Exclusions:

• Research groups with incomplete prior BiotechNet projects

• Principal Investigators based in Italy

Early Career Return Grants

• Designed for young researchers recently returned to a beneficiary country after ≥2 consecutive years abroad

• Supports establishment of independent laboratories

• Subject to age and return-time eligibility criteria

Hosting and Training Requirement

All grant recipients must host a BiotechNet Fellowship SMART fellow from another partner country for 3–9 months, including structured training to strengthen long-term collaboration between laboratories.

Application Process

1. Online Submission: Applications must be submitted through the ICGEB Service Gateway by 30 April at 23:59 CET

2. National Endorsement: Applications must be endorsed by the relevant National Liaison Officer to be considered

3. Include a detailed project proposal with:

   • Scientific objectives and feasibility

   • Budget justification

   • Defined roles of collaborators

   • Hosting plan for BiotechNet fellow

Incomplete, unendorsed, or late submissions will not be considered.

Why This Programme Matters

The BiotechNet Collaborative Research Grant Programme:

• Strengthens regional scientific collaboration and capacity

• Addresses research questions of national and regional significance

• Supports training of young scientists and knowledge transfer

• Promotes sustainable laboratory infrastructure and collaborative networks

• Enhances scientific excellence in healthcare, agriculture, bioenergy, and industrial biotechnology

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to integrate international collaboration into the project design

• Submitting applications without national endorsement

• Requesting ineligible costs (PI salaries, institutional overheads)

• Not including a hosting plan for a BiotechNet Fellow

• Applying if previous projects were not satisfactorily completed

Conclusion

The ICGEB BiotechNet Collaborative Research Grant Programme provides essential support for collaborative research addressing critical scientific challenges in Member States. By funding consumables, training, and basic laboratory resources, and promoting international collaboration through fellowships, the programme strengthens regional research capacity, fosters innovation, and builds lasting scientific partnerships across Africa and other beneficiary countries.