The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is thrilled to announce the commencement of the 3rd call for the prestigious German-African Innovation Incentive Award (GAIIA) in 2023. This highly esteemed initiative is designed to acknowledge and support exceptional research collaborations between African researchers and their German counterparts, with a specific emphasis on projects with significant practical application potential.
The GAIIA award offers project funding of up to €150,000 for each selected project, spanning a generous duration of up to 24 months. Importantly, a minimum of 50% of the funding will be directed towards the African partners, underscoring the commitment to fostering equitable cooperation. These funds will be administered by German institutions and subsequently transferred to the African collaborators.
The call for applications actively encourages collaborative projects in key priority areas, including environmental science, health research, bioeconomy, societal development, resource management, and information and communication technologies. By concentrating on these vital sectors, the program aims to address pressing challenges facing both continents while promoting sustainable solutions.
The application process is structured in two phases. African researchers can either be nominated for the award by representatives of German universities, research institutions, or companies, or they have the option to apply independently. In both cases, applicants must submit a joint project outline, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to cooperative research endeavours.
The GAIIA Award epitomizes BMBF's dedication to advancing innovative research within Africa and translating research outcomes into tangible solutions that enrich African societies. The overarching objective is to elevate the quality of life for people across the African continent, recognizing the pivotal role played by German-African collaborations in achieving this noble mission.
Since its inception in 2018, GAIIA has celebrated 10 outstanding African scientists from 8 different countries, along with their German counterparts, providing them with vital funding to materialize joint research projects with substantial potential for application.
Researchers keen to seize this exciting opportunity are encouraged to submit their applications by November 7, 2023. Don't miss your chance to be part of this remarkable journey towards pioneering research and transformative solutions.
Article by Nyokabi Wanjiku
Photo/Science Africa
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