2024 Call for Applications
The AGNES-BAYER Science Foundation Research Grant, dedicated to Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa, is now open for applications. This prestigious grant is generously funded by the BAYER Foundation and supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) of the Federal Republic of Germany. The grant is specifically designed to empower junior researchers (PhD students) in Africa, aiming to enhance their scientific capabilities and foster groundbreaking research in the fields of biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture.
I. Program Overview
The AGNES-BAYER Science Foundation Research Grant serves as a vital resource for doctoral students hailing from sub-Saharan African countries who are engaged in exceptional research within the realms of biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture. The grant is intended to support research activities that are integral to the completion of a doctoral degree, which may include but are not limited to field experiments, data collection, or laboratory studies. The research should not only be innovative but also demonstrate a clear and significant impact on the socio-economic development of the applicant’s home country.
Each successful applicant will receive a grant of up to EUR 7,000. This funding is intended to cover the costs associated with conducting the proposed research activities, thereby enabling young scientists to pursue their academic endeavors with greater focus and fewer financial constraints.
II. Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Academic and Research Background: Applicants should be doctoral students currently enrolled in a university or tertiary institution within sub-Saharan Africa. They must be nationals of a sub-Saharan African country and must be working in the field of biodiversity conservation and/or sustainable agriculture.
- Research Relevance: The proposed research must be directly relevant to the development of sub-Saharan Africa, addressing critical issues in biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture that have the potential to contribute to the region’s socio-economic advancement.
- Publication Requirement: Candidates must have published at least one scientific paper in a non-predatory journal. Publications must be in peer-reviewed international journals indexed in SCOPUS or Web of Science (WoS). Applicants must provide the SCOPUS or WoS links (URL) to each publication.
- Academic Excellence: Only candidates with outstanding academic records and a demonstrated history of impactful research will be considered for the grant.
III. Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a comprehensive application package, which includes the following documents:
- Research Proposal: An original research/project proposal not exceeding five pages. This document should outline the proposed research activities, including a detailed schedule for achieving the objectives. The proposal must be written in English and will be subjected to a plagiarism test to ensure originality.
- Curriculum Vitae: A standard CV following the AGNES template, also in English. The template can be downloaded from the provided link.
- Proof of Registration: Official documentation confirming the applicant’s current registration in a doctoral program at a recognized university or tertiary institution in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Academic Transcripts: Copies of official academic transcripts reflecting the grades obtained in both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. If the transcripts are in a language other than English, an official explanation of the grading system in English must be included.
- List of Publications: A list of published articles in non-predatory journals, including SCOPUS or WoS links to each publication. An e-copy of the first page of each publication, showing the title, authors, and abstract, must also be provided.
- Budget Plan: A detailed budget outlining the financial requirements for the proposed research activities.
IV. Application Submission
Applications must be submitted online through the provided application form link. All required documents should be uploaded in a single submission, ensuring the total file size does not exceed 15MB.
Deadline for submission: All applications must be submitted by August 30th, 2024, at 00:00 GMT. Applications that do not adhere to the guidelines or are incomplete will be automatically disqualified. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.
V. Grant Details
The AGNES-BAYER Science Foundation Research Grant provides a one-time award of up to EUR 7,000. This funding is intended exclusively for future research activities and cannot be applied retroactively to previous work. Upon being awarded the grant, recipients and their supervisors must sign and submit a letter of acceptance and a contractual agreement to the AGNES Governing Board within two weeks.
VI. Selection Process
The selection meeting will be held in October 2024. Only candidates who are selected will be notified. The research activities funded by the grant are expected to commence between December 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025.
VII. Contact Information
For further inquiries regarding the application process or other related questions, applicants may contact the following individuals:
- Joel-Anthony (Programme Manager): info@agnes-h.org
- Dr. Romaric (Secretary of AGNES): rlvihotogbe@gmail.com
- Prof. Alexandra Muellner-Riehl (Co-Chair of AGNES): muellner-riehl@uni-leipzig.de
- Prof. Dr. Odunayo Clement Adebooye (President/Chair of AGNES): ocadebooye@daad-alumni.de
This grant represents a unique opportunity for young African researchers to contribute to critical areas of biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture, thereby playing a crucial role in the sustainable development of the African continent.
Cite this article as (APA format):
AR Managing Editor (2024). 2024 AGNES-BAYER Science Foundation Research Grant for Biodiversity Conservation & Sustainable Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. Retrieved from https://www.africanresearchers.org/2024-agnes-bayer-science-foundation-research-grant-for-biodiversity-conservation-sustainable-agriculture-in-sub-saharan-africa/
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