Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund 2024: Grants, Application Process, and Eligibility for Collaborative Research Between Cambridge and African Institutions

The Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund, established in 2012 with generous support from The ALBORADA Trust, aims to foster research collaborations between researchers based at the University of Cambridge (including affiliated institutions such as the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, NIAB, and the British Antarctic Survey) and their counterparts in African institutions. This initiative supports pairs of researchers (post-doctoral level and above) to initiate or enhance joint research projects across various disciplines. To date, 332 awards have been granted, leading to significant funding successes for several projects, including Royal Society and Leverhulme Awards, and contributions to the Global Challenges Research Fund.

Funding Details

The Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund provides competitive grants ranging from £1,000 to £20,000 to cover:

• Research Costs: This includes expenditures on reagents, fieldwork, and equipment.
• Research-Related Travel: Funding for travel between Cambridge and Africa is available.
• Research Training Activities: Support for conducting research training courses or workshops in Africa.

Applicants are encouraged to read the Terms & Conditions thoroughly to understand eligibility and the nature of the support provided. Notably, the fund does not cover overheads, PI salaries, administrative costs, bench fees, or conference attendance.

Application Process

How to Apply:

1. Cambridge-Based Applicant Registration: The Cambridge-based researcher must register on the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund application portal. Only those with email addresses from @cam.ac.uk, @sanger.ac.uk, @babraham.ac.uk, @bas.ac.uk, or @niab.com domains are eligible to register.
2. Invitation for African Applicant: After registering, the Cambridge-based applicant should invite the African-based researcher to collaborate on the application.
3. Submission: Complete the online application form, which requires:
   • A detailed case for support and a lay summary.
   • An itemized budget (using the provided template).
   • Letters of support from both the Cambridge and African PIs’ respective departments.
   • CVs (maximum of 2 pages) for both principal investigators.
   • Details of two referees without conflicts of interest.

Important Dates

• Application Opens: 20th June 2024
• Application Deadline: 12th September 2024
• Referee Contact: September-October 2024
• Outcome Notification: End of October 2024

Eligibility and Priorities

Eligibility Criteria:

• Both applicants must be at post-doctoral level or above.
• The Cambridge applicant must be affiliated with the University of Cambridge or a related institute.
• The African applicant must be based in an African research institution or university.
• The application must demonstrate a genuine collaborative effort and not merely provide services.

Priority Areas

• New or expanded partnerships with potential for long-term collaboration.
• Projects that strengthen research capacity in the African institution.
• Demonstrated potential for leveraging initial funding into larger research opportunities.

Award Types and Limits

Funding Categories:

1. Travel Awards: Up to £5,000 for travel between Cambridge and Africa.
2. Workshop/Training Support: Up to £10,000 for organizing research training courses or workshops in Africa.
3. Equipment: Up to £20,000 for purchasing equipment, which must remain in Africa after the project ends.
4. Research Projects: Up to £20,000 for comprehensive research activities including travel and equipment costs.

Note: The fund does not cover salaries, overheads, administrative costs, or conference fees.

Reporting and Administration

Post-Award Requirements:

• End-of-Grant Report: Submit within 45 days of the award end date, detailing achievements, collaboration details, project outputs, and financial statements.
• Extensions: Requests for no-cost extensions (up to 6 months) should be made before the original end date.

Research Conduct

• Ensure compliance with national laws, institutional policies, and import/export regulations. For health-related research, adhere to additional ethical guidelines.

Contact Information

For queries and further information, please contact:

• Email: alboradafund@cambridge-africa.cam.ac.uk
• Twitter: @CambridgeAfrica

This fund is designed to act as a catalyst for new research initiatives, enabling collaborations that enhance research capacities and foster long-term partnerships between Cambridge and African institutions.

Click here to apply