Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI)

The Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) supports early-career scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Least Developed Countries. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the programme awards grants to promising research projects in Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Information Computer Technology, Mathematics, Medical Sciences and Physics. Grants are available to Principal Investigators in African countries lagging in science and technology (as identified by TWAS), enabling them to purchase research facilities and equipment to boost their research productivity. Applications are submitted online, and successful applicants are notified after the assignment meetings held by year-end. What you get • Grant of up to USD 67,700 • Funding for scientific equipment and consumables • Partial funding for fieldwork, equipment maintenance, and specialized literature (in exceptional cases) • Support for MSc students as part of the project • International conference grant • Industrial link grant with partners in Germany • Collaborative mobility grant in Germany • Open access publication grant • Scientist-after-child grant (to support female scientists returning after maternity leave) • Typical grant duration of 30 months • Equipment and consumables become property of home institution after project completion How to apply 1. Read and fully understand the programme guidelines 2. Visit the SG-NAPI page and click the 'Apply Now' link when the call opens 3. Submit application online through the application portal 4. Upload proforma invoices from suppliers for any equipment items valued at USD 5,000 or above 5. Submit application as early as possible before the deadline 6. For queries, contact the TWAS SG-NAPI Grants office at sgnapi@twas.org

• National of an eligible African country lagging in science and technology (refer to list in guidelines) • PhD degree obtained within the last 5 years • PhD obtained in a country other than home country • 40 years old or younger (applicants turning 41 in the year of application are not eligible) • Returned to home country within the last 36 months or will return before end of 2026 • Hold, be offered, or be in process of accepting a position at an academic or research institution in home country • Good research experience • Not currently hold an active research grant with TWAS or OWSD Early Career Women Scientists (ECWS) Fellowship • May apply for only one TWAS programme per calendar year • Cannot apply for Postdoctoral or Visiting Researcher programme in the same year • Submit a strong research proposal • Submit application online with proforma invoices for equipment valued at USD 5,000 or above