Deadline: 2 June 2017
BioInnovate Africa Programme has announced a US$ 5 million grant funding over three years (2017–2020) to support scientists, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs in eastern Africa to link biobased research ideas and technologies to business and the market.
The Bioresources Innovations Network for Eastern Africa Development (BioInnovate Africa) Programme is a regional initiative supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) to assist countries in eastern Africa benefit from the revolutionary advances in biosciences, by converting such technologies into innovations for inclusive growth and sustainable development. BioInnovate is based at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Nairobi, Kenya, and currently operates in six eastern African countries namely: Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
Goal
The goal of BioInnovate Africa Programme is to improve the productivity (and hence living standards) of smallholder farming communities in eastern Africa by making agro/bio processing more competitive and environmentally sustainable enterprise.
Objectives
- To generate bioscience innovations those address the needs of smallholder farmers and agroprocessors in eastern Africa.
- To engage with policy makers and evaluate relevant policy options that support bioscience innovations.
Focus Areas
- Value addition to agro produce and creation of agribusiness opportunities
- Agro/biowaste conversion in support of climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability and
- Development of policies that foster bioscience innovations in the region.
Funding Information
Total funding available for this first open call is US$ 5.0 million for a period of three years. The funds are allocated in two categories of grants as follows:
- Category 1 Grants: to develop and pilot economically viable biobased technologies and products (US$ 3.75 million)
- Category 2 Grants: for biobased technology business incubation (US$ 1.25 million)
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants are eligible to apply for these grants if applicants are a scientist, researcher, innovator or entrepreneur who is resident in any of the eastern African countries namely: Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
- Applicants must be formally affiliated with a university, public research organization or private firm, e.g. as a full-time employee.
- For this call, firms include legally registered smallholder farmer based or community organizations or groups. Scientists, researchers and innovators from research centres and organizations in other regions of Africa and around the world are also eligible to participate but only as collaborators in applicant’s project.
- Postgraduate students who are already registered in local universities in the region for Master’s degree or PhD (and have sources of funds to support their tuition fees) can be attached to applicant’s project team, but not as co-applicants.
- Students can only be supported through operational costs to do their research within applicant’s project.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must apply online via given website.
Eligible Countries: Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda
For more information, please visit BioInnovate Africa Programme.
