Deadline: March 31, 2026
The 2026 TWAS Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) is a prestigious international research funding opportunity designed to strengthen scientific capacity in Africa. Administered by UNESCO-TWAS and supported by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the programme supports early-career African researchers to establish independent and sustainable research programmes in their home countries.
This grant is particularly targeted at scientists from African countries identified as lagging in science and technology and aims to reverse brain drain by enabling researchers trained abroad to return home and contribute meaningfully to national development.
About the 2026 TWAS Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI)
The 2026 TWAS Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) provides seed funding to newly appointed or soon-to-be appointed African principal investigators. The grant supports high-quality, locally relevant research that strengthens institutional research capacity and promotes scientific excellence across the continent.
The programme also aligns selected research themes with Germany’s High-Tech Agenda, encouraging international collaboration and innovation in cutting-edge scientific fields.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 March 2026
Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin preparation early to ensure sufficient time for proposal development and institutional documentation.
Funding Value and Duration
- Maximum Grant Amount: Up to USD 67,700 per project
- Project Duration: Approximately 30 months
The funding is designed as a start-up research grant to help new principal investigators establish laboratories, acquire equipment, and initiate impactful research activities.
What the Grant Covers
The grant may be used to support the following eligible costs:
- Purchase of scientific equipment
- Laboratory consumables
- Specialised scientific literature
- Limited fieldwork costs directly related to the approved research project
What the Grant Does Not Cover
The following costs are not eligible under the SG-NAPI grant:
- Salaries or stipends for the principal investigator
- General travel expenses (except approved conference or mobility grants)
- Laptops, tablets, drones, or similar personal devices
- Laboratory animals
- Fuel or vehicle maintenance
- Consultant or labourer fees
Applicants must ensure that budgets strictly follow these funding limitations.
Eligible Research Areas
Applications are welcome from a wide range of scientific disciplines, including but not limited to:
- Agriculture
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Engineering
- Information and Computer Technology
- Mathematics
- Medical Sciences
- Physics
Proposals aligned with Germany’s High-Tech Agenda are particularly encouraged. These include research areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, biotechnology, climate-neutral energy, and related advanced scientific fields.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 2026 TWAS Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI), applicants must meet all of the following conditions:
- Be a national of an eligible African country identified by TWAS as lagging in science and technology.
- Hold a PhD degree obtained within the last five (5) years, earned in a country other than the applicant’s home country.
- Be 40 years old or younger, and not turn 41 in the year of application.
- Have returned to their home country within the last 36 months, or plan to return before the end of 2026.
- Hold, or be in the process of accepting, a research or academic position at a recognised university or research institution in their home country.
- Not hold any active TWAS or OWSD Early Career Women Scientists (ECWS) Fellowship at the time of application.
- Submit a strong, well-structured research proposal demonstrating scientific merit and local relevance.
Applications from women scientists and researchers based in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are strongly encouraged.
Additional Opportunities for Awardees
Successful applicants may also benefit from additional TWAS support mechanisms, including:
- Funding support for MSc student supervision
- International conference grants
- Industrial collaboration or mobility grants, particularly with partners in Germany
- Open-access publication support
- Special “scientist-after-child” grants for women researchers returning after maternity leave
These complementary opportunities further enhance research impact and career development.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2026 TWAS Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) are submitted online through the official TWAS application portal once the call is open. Applicants are advised to carefully review the programme guidelines, eligibility criteria, and proposal requirements before submission.
Need Support With Your Application?
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
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