Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) is now accepting applications for the 2026 cycle. This prestigious program, supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), is designed to empower early-career scientists across Africa by providing the necessary resources to establish independent research labs and launch their own research groups.
The SG-NAPI grant aims to strengthen scientific capacity and foster innovation across the continent. It provides substantial financial support for researchers returning to their home countries after completing their doctoral studies abroad.
- Funding: Up to USD 67,700 for the purchase of scientific equipment and consumables.
- Eligible Disciplines: Agriculture, Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Fusion, Climate-Neutral Energy, and other related STEM fields.
- Strategic Goal: To support the next generation of research leaders and mitigate "brain drain" by facilitating high-level research within Africa.
Eligibility and Geographic Focus
The program specifically targets scientists from African countries identified as Science and Technology Lagging Countries (STLC). We particularly encourage applications from the following Arab-African countries:
- Sudan, Mauritania, Somalia, Djibouti, and Comoros.
Key Requirements:
- Applicants must have obtained their PhD degree outside their home country within the last five years.
- Applicants must have returned to their home country within the last 36 months or be in the process of returning to a permanent position.
- Applicants must be aged 40 or under.
Application Deadline: 31 March 2026
Inquiries: For specific questions regarding the application process, please contact sgnapi@twas.org.
Apply Online: https://bit.ly/45wGNOb