IDRC Call for Proposals: Strengthening Engineering Research and Training in Africa

Deadline: 24 September 2017

International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is seeking proposals for its “Strengthening Engineering Research and Training in Africa” that challenges universities as well as public and private stakeholders to develop and implement novel ways of delivering quality and relevant training and research  in engineering and applied science fields.

Types of Streams

1. Industrial research hubs: partnerships for a new applied research agenda: This stream targets research-intensive universities in West and Central Africa who seek to strengthen linkages with public or private firms (or associations, intermediaries, etc.) to develop mutually beneficial research and training activities.
   • Funding Information: up to CA $600,000 over four years
   • Eligibility Criteria
   • The lead university must:
     • be based in West or Central Africa;
     • designate principal investigators with sufficient experience, expertise and access to sufficient infrastructure to perform research in a the selected field;
     • have recognized advanced training programs in the selected fields of applied science or engineering, ideally at the Masters’ or PhD level, and ideally involving some existing relationship with public or private firms in this field.
     • The collaborating companies, associations, or technology intermediaries must have:
     • existing links to the lead university (e.g., through internships, faculty exchange, research collaborations, service contracts, etc.);
     • a strong presence in West or Central Africa, preferably in proximity to the lead university.
2. Rethinking the engineering ‘ecosystem’: new pilots for building capacity in research and advanced training in engineering: This stream targets research or implementing organizations (or consortia) who aim to inform how national or regional engineering systems operate in sub-Saharan Africa, by piloting new research or training modules, building new knowledge of the ‘ecosystem’ based on these pilots, and developing networks and partnerships that have the potential for scaling-up activities at a regional and a national level.
   • Funding Information: up to CA $300,000 over three years
   • Eligibility Criteria
     • a strong presence, well-developed networks, and experience working in sub-Saharan Africa, preferably in more than one country;
     • experience and expertise in fields such as engineering education, research policy, or higher education policy;
     • experience working with national or regional policymakers, as well as key engineering organizations; and
     • experience in administering funds, preferably on a competitive basis, for research and education.

How to Apply

• This is a call for expressions of interest in the form of a letter of no more than 1000 words (an additional supporting letter is required from the collaborating institution in the case of Stream 1), in English or in French.
• Letters must demonstrate that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria listed in the call document. Applications will be assessed on their clarity and completeness, as well as on the relevance and the soundness of the project they describe.
• Selected candidates will be invited to submit a full proposal.
• Eligible Applicants must submit their documents via email at the address given on the website.

For more information, please visit IDRC.