The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) is a prestigious research funding opportunity designed to strengthen scientific research capacity in African countries that are lagging in science and technology. The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) was launched by UNESCO-TWAS with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).
The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) specifically targets early-career African researchers who have obtained their PhD abroad and have recently returned or will soon return to an academic or research position in their home country. By providing targeted funding for essential research infrastructure, the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) seeks to enable talented African scientists to establish independent research careers and enhance scientific productivity within their home institutions.
A core objective of the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) is to address the persistent challenges faced by researchers working in institutions that lack adequate research facilities, equipment, and consumables. Through this initiative, UNESCO-TWAS and BMFTR aim to promote scientific excellence, knowledge production, and technological development across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a strong emphasis on Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) supports high-quality research projects in a wide range of scientific disciplines, including Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Information Computer Technology, Mathematics, Medical Sciences, and Physics, as well as research aligned with Germany’s High-Tech Agenda.
By investing in early-career scientists, the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) contributes to long-term capacity building, institutional strengthening, and sustainable scientific development across Africa.
Overview of the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI)
The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) was established in response to the specific needs of researchers in developing African countries, particularly those affiliated with universities and research institutions that lack modern and adequate research infrastructure.
Under the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI), funding is awarded to Principal Investigators (PIs) who demonstrate strong research potential and propose high-level, impactful research projects that will be conducted within eligible African countries identified by TWAS as lagging in science and technology.
The programme is fully funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and administered by UNESCO-TWAS, ensuring both financial sustainability and international credibility.
Eligibility Criteria for the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI)
Eligibility for the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) is clearly defined and strictly applied. Applicants must meet all the criteria outlined below.
Who Can Apply
Applicants for the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) must:
- Be early-career researchers with strong research experience.
- Apply as Principal Investigators (PIs).
- Be nationals of an eligible African country identified by TWAS as lagging in science and technology.
- Conduct the proposed research within a university or research institution located in one of the eligible African countries.
Nationality and Country Eligibility
- Applicants must be nationals of an eligible African country classified by TWAS as lagging in science and technology.
- The grant must be tenable in an eligible African country listed in the SG-NAPI guidelines.
- Special encouragement is given to applicants working in Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Educational Qualifications
- Applicants must hold a PhD degree.
- The PhD must have been obtained within the last five (5) years.
- The PhD must have been earned in a country other than the applicant’s home country.
Career Stage and Academic Position
- Applicants must have returned to their home country within the last 36 months or must return before the end of 2026.
- Applicants must hold, have been offered, or be in the process of accepting an academic or research position at:
- A university, or
- A research institution, including international research centers,
located in their home country.
Age Limit
- Applicants must be 40 years old or younger.
- Any applicant who turns 41 in the year of application is not eligible.
Grant Restrictions
- Applicants must not have an active research grant with:
- TWAS, or
- OWSD Early Career Women Scientists (ECWS) Fellowship.
- Applicants may apply for only one programme per calendar year within the TWAS and OWSD portfolio.
- Applicants are not eligible to participate in TWAS Visiting Scientist or Visiting Professor programmes during the same year, with specific institutional exceptions outlined in the guidelines.
Encouraged Applicants
- Women scientists are especially encouraged to apply.
- Researchers working in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Fields of Study Supported Under the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI)
The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) supports research projects in the following scientific fields:
- Agriculture
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Engineering
- Information Computer Technology
- Mathematics
- Medical Sciences
- Physics
In addition, applicants whose research aligns with Germany’s High-Tech Agenda are strongly encouraged to apply. Priority research areas under this agenda include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Quantum Technologies
- Microelectronics
- Biotechnology
- Fusion and climate-neutral energy generation
- Technologies for climate-neutral mobility
Programme Details of the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI)
Funding Amount
- The total funding awarded under the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) may be up to USD 67,700 per project.
Duration of the Grant
- Grants are typically awarded for a duration of 30 months.
What the Grant Covers
The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) is primarily intended to support the purchase of research facilities, including:
- Scientific equipment
- Research consumables
In exceptional cases, the grant may also support:
- Partial funding for fieldwork
- Maintenance of equipment
- Specialized scientific literature (textbooks and conference proceedings only)
Equipment Procurement Requirements
- For any single item of equipment valued at USD 5,000 or more, applicants must upload a valid proforma invoicefrom a supplier to the application portal.
What the Grant Does NOT Cover
The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) does not cover:
- Salaries of the Principal Investigator
- General travel expenses (unless directly related to approved conference or mobility components)
- Purchase of fuel
- Fees for experts, consultants, or labourers
- Laptops, tablets, or drones
- Laboratory animals
Additional Components and Benefits of the SG-NAPI Programme
Beyond core research funding, awarded Principal Investigators under the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) may request additional support, including:
- Support for MSc students working on the project
- International conference grant
- Industrial link grant with partners in Germany
- Collaborative mobility grant in Germany
- Open access publication grant
Full details of these components are provided in the official SG-NAPI guidelines.
Scientist-After-Child Grant
The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) includes a special component aimed at enhancing the productivity of female scientists returning to academia after maternity leave. This is known as the scientist-after-child grant, and full details are outlined in the programme guidelines.
Agreement and Grant Administration
If selected for the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI):
- A trilateral agreement is signed between:
- TWAS
- The Principal Investigator
- The home institution
The home institution commits to:
- Administering the grant according to the agreement
- Providing laboratory space, salaries, and necessary institutional facilities
All equipment, consumables, and literature purchased through the SG-NAPI grant remain the property of the home institution after project completion.
In general:
- Grant funds are retained by TWAS.
- TWAS directly places orders with suppliers upon receipt of approved proforma invoices.
- Grant holders must submit a final report within one year from the date of the last purchase.
How to Apply for the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI)
Applicants interested in the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) should follow these steps:
- Carefully read and fully understand the SG-NAPI guidelines.
- Prepare a strong research proposal. Applicants may seek guidance on proposal writing through AuthorAID.
- Submit the application online via the official application portal by clicking the “Apply Now” link once the call opens.
- Ensure that only one application is submitted, as multiple submissions are not permitted.
For enquiries related to the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI), applicants may contact:
- Email: sgnapi@twas.org
Important Dates and Deadline
- Application Deadline: 31 March 2026
- SG-NAPI Grants Committee meetings are held by the end of the year.
- Applicants are notified of the outcome shortly after the committee meeting.
Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the deadline and to submit their applications as early as possible.
Why Apply for the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI)
The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) represents a significant opportunity for early-career African scientists to establish independent research careers, strengthen institutional research capacity, and contribute meaningfully to scientific and technological development in Africa. Through generous funding, international collaboration, and targeted support for returning researchers, the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) plays a vital role in empowering Africa’s next generation of scientific leaders.
APPLICATION PORTAL
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