Deadline: 4-Aug-23
UK-registered organisations are encouraged to submit applications a grant of up to £30,000 to explore solutions to African AgriFood challenges.
Innovate UK KTN is delivering these Innovation Awards as part of the Global Challenges Research Fund AgriFood Africa Programme.
Projects should explore solutions to address African AgriFood challenges through a defined research/innovation project between a UK-registered and an Africa registered organisation.
Scope
- Innovation Awards must address African AgriFood challenges in at least one of these areas:
- primary crop and livestock production, including aquaculture.
- improving the availability and accessibility of safe, healthy and nutritious foods.
- challenges in food processing, distribution or storage, or value addition (i.e. through a change in the physical state or form of the product).
- non-food uses of crops, excluding ornamentals and crops for energy use.
High Priority Areas
- Applications focusing on one or more of the high priority areas listed below are highly encouraged, and will be prioritised in the review process:
- reducing crop loss due to quelea birds. This could include but is not limited to innovations around monitoring and forecasting and deterrents.
- improving soil health and resilience or identifying/developing sustainable methods to improve crop nutrition. This could include but is not limited to innovations around soil structure, organic matter content, water holding capacity or fertilisers.
- applying Earth Observation (EO), including satellite data and drone imaging, to address challenges within AgriFood systems. This could include but is not limited to monitoring weather conditions, improving in-field decisions and managing supply chains.
- addressing Livestock production challenges. This could include but is not limited to innovations around health, genetics and digital technologies to support livestock farmers.
- They will support a portfolio of projects that address the areas indicated, across a range of organisations, technologies, market sectors and territories.
Benefits
- You can apply for an Innovation Award of up to £30,000 (inclusive of VAT).
Project Length
- Projects must be completed and the ‘Final Report and Project Completion Form’ must be received by Innovate UK KTN by 30th January 2024 (Deadline).
- No extensions will be granted for Projects not completed by the Deadline. If your Project is not completed by the Deadline, it will not be eligible to receive the Funding.
Impact
- The innovative projects being funded through the Awards must show the potential to reduce poverty, increase economic prosperity and improve well-being in Africa, through the uptake of agricultural and food systems technology and innovation.
- Innovative projects must:
- be sustainable in the context of environmental challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity.
- minimise negative effects such as pollution, food loss and waste.
- promote safe, healthy and nutritious diets.
- show benefit to an ODA-eligible African country’s agriculture and/or food systems to contribute to sustainable, healthy, safe and nutritious diets.
- consider diversity and equality, including where appropriate empowerment of girls and women in agriculture and food systems.
Eligibility Criteria
- Projects must be led by a UK-registered business, charity, University or Research Training Organisation (RTO).
- The Lead can work with one other partner organisation, which must be based in an ODA-eligible African country.
- Applications must include a registered business as one of the partner organisations.
- Assuming the projects and/or partners are substantially different, lead applicants from UK-registered universities/ RTOs/ charities and lead applicants from UK-registered businesses/charities can submit a maximum of two applications.
For more information, visit Innovate UK KTN.