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With the support of the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), UNESCO-TWAS launched a new programme to strengthen the capacity of African countries lagging in science and technology. The programme is aimed at early career researchers who have obtained their PhD abroad and have recently returned or will shortly return to an academic position in their home country. Grants are awarded to promising high-level research projects in Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth sciences, Engineering, Information Computer Technology, Mathematics, Medical Sciences and Physics and/or Germany’s High-Tech Agenda carried out in African countries lagging in science and technology identified by TWAS.     Deadline 31 March 2026 Partner Organizations German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) Country where tenable SG-NAPI Eligible Countries Minimum degree held PhD Field Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Information Computer Technology, Mathematics, Medical Sciences and Physics Age limit 40 Image The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) was established in response to the needs of researchers in developing countries, particularly those attached to institutions that lack appropriate research facilities. Under this scheme, grants can be awarded for research projects in Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Information Computer Technology, Mathematics, Medical Sciences and Physics to Principal Investigators in the African countries lagging in science and technology identified by TWAS, to enable them to purchase the research facilities they need to enhance their productivity. The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) aims to support early-career scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa, with particular emphasis on Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) is fully funded by The German Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). Programme Details SG-NAPI Grants are awarded to high-level promising research projects in Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Information Computer Technology, Mathematics, Medical Sciences and Physics carried out by Principal Investigators (PI) in the African countries lagging in science and technology identified by TWAS. In addition, Germany’s High-Tech Agenda is a national innovation initiative focused on key emerging technologies. If your research aligns with any of the following research areas Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technologies, Microelectronics, Biotechnology, Fusion and climate-neutral energy Generation or Technologies for climate-neutral mobility, you are strongly encouraged to apply. The total amount awarded for SG‑NAPI may be up to USD 67,700. The grants, typically awarded for a duration of 30 months, can be utilized for the purchase of scientific equipment and consumables. This includes in exceptional cases partial funding for fieldwork, maintenance of equipment and specialized literature, such as textbooks and proceedings only. If any single item of equipment is valued at USD 5,000 or above, a valid proforma invoice from a supplier must be uploaded to the application portal. The grant does not cover salaries of the Principal Investigator or travel expenses unless they are clearly related to one of the conference and/or mobility components mentioned below. Additionally, please note that the purchase of fuel, fees for experts or consultants or labourers, laptops, tablets, drones and laboratory animals is not supported. Awarded PIs may also support MSc student as part of the project, request funding for international conference grant, industrial link grant with partners in Germany, collaborative mobility grant in Germany and open access publication grant. Full details of each component are laid out in the guidelines. The programme has an additional component which seeks to enhance the productivity of female scientists returning to academia after a maternity leave, scientist-after-child grant. Full details of this component can be found in the guidelines. Eligibility Applying Principal Investigators must be nationals of an eligible country, who holds a PhD and has good research experience. The grant should operate within a university or a research institution in one of the African countries lagging in science and technology. The PI must be 40 years old or younger. Any applicant turning 41 in the year of application is not eligible. The PI must have obtained their Ph.D. within the last 5 years in a country other than their home country. The PI must have returned to their home country (refer to list in the guidelines) within the last 36 months or will return home before the end of 2026. The PI must hold, be offered or be in the process of accepting a position at an academic and/or research institution (including international research centers) in their home country. The PI must be national of an eligible African country that is lagging in science and technology (refer to list in the guidelines). Applicant must at the time of application NOT have an active research grant with TWAS or OWSD Early Career Women Scientists (ECWS) Fellowship. Applications from women scientists and those working in Least Developed Countries are especially encouraged. The applicant must submit a strong Research Proposal, you may find further information on how to write a strong proposal by visiting Rising Scholars. Please be advised that applicants may apply for only one programme per calendar year in the TWAS and OWSD portfolio. Applicants cannot apply for other TWAS programmes i.e. Postdoctoral and Visiting Researcher programme within the same year in order to be present in their home country throughout the duration of the grant. Agreement If selected, a trilateral written agreement is drawn up between TWAS, the Principal Investigator and the home institution. The home institution undertakes to administer the grant according to the agreement and to provide laboratory space, salaries and other facilities necessary for the project. Equipment, consumables and literature provided for the project through the SG-NAPI grant programme remain the property of the home institution after the project is completed. In general, the grant funds are kept at TWAS for the purchase of items requested by the grant holder. TWAS places the orders with the supplier(s) upon receipt of proforma invoices submitted by the grant holder in accordance with the approved itemized budget. The agreement will also provide details on how to activate other benefits of the grant such as support for MSc students, international conference grant, industrial link grant, collaborative mobility grant, open access publication grant and scientist-after-child grant. Grant holders must submit a final report before the completion of the award. How to apply Ensure that you have read and fully understood the guidelines. SG-NAPI grant applications, once the call opens will need to be submitted online by clicking on the “Apply Now” link at the bottom of this page. Please note the link will only be active once the call opens and not before (or after it is closed). Please note that a researcher may only submit one application at a time and for only one kind of grant. Applicants cannot apply for other TWAS programmes i.e. Postdoctoral, Visiting Scholar and Visiting Researcher programme within the same year in order to be present in their home country throughout the duration of the grant. For any queries please contact the TWAS SG-NAPI Grants office, e-mail: sgnapi@twas.org When to apply The deadline for receiving applications will be updated once decided. We strongly recommend that you do not wait until the deadline but submit the application as early as you can to enable us to process your application as quickly as possible. Notification Please note that the assignment meetings of the SG-NAPI Grants Committee will be held by the end of the year. Applicants will be notified of the outcome shortly after the meeting. Any PI currently holding an award for any TWAS programme may not apply before completing the current award. Application doc(s): sg-napi_msc_form.docx653.2 KB application_guidelines_sg-napi_2026_3.pdf310.6 KB APPLY NOW