TWAS Research Grants Programme in Basic Sciences for Young Researchers (Up to USD 54,000)

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Applicants are now invited to submit applications for the TWAS Research Grants Programme in Basic Sciences – Groups to promising high-level research projects in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics carried out by research units in the S&T-lagging countries identified by TWAS.

The TWAS Research Grants Programme in Basic Sciences was established in response to the needs of researchers in developing countries, particularly those attached to institutions that lack appropriate research facilities. Under this scheme, grants can be awarded for research projects in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics either to individual young researchers or to research units in the science-and-technology-lagging countries (S&TLC) identified by TWAS, to enable them to purchase the research facilities they need to enhance their productivity.

TWAS Research Grants Programme Aims

The TWAS Research Grants Programme in Basic Sciences aims to:

Reinforce and promote scientific research in basic sciences in developing countries;
Strengthen developing countries’ endogenous capacity in science;
Reduce the exodus of scientific talents from the South;
Build and sustain units of scientific excellence in S&TLC over a longer period to help them achieve a critical mass of highly qualified and innovative scientists capable of addressing real-life problems facing their countries.

The TWAS Research Grants Programme supports research in the basic sciences only.

The programme is generously supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The contribution is intended to support research proposals from S&TLCs in dire need of basic research tools.

Programme Funding Details

TWAS Research Grants are awarded to high-level promising research projects in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics carried out by research units in the S&T-lagging countries (S&TLC) identified by TWAS.
Research Grants to research units amount to a maximum of USD 54,000 (with up to USD 40,000 for equipment and consumable supplies).
The grants, which are normally provided for a period of 24 months, may be used to purchase scientific equipment, consumables and specialized literature (textbooks and proceedings only). They do not cover salaries of researchers and/or students, field expenses, or travel expenses. In addition, the purchase of laptops, tablets, drones and laboratory animals is not supported.
Goods or funds cannot be sent to other members of the team but only to the PI at his or her home institution, referred to as Administering Institution in the agreement.
Awarded research units must also support atleast one MSc student as part of the project (full details will be provided to successful candidates).

Eligibility Criteria for TWAS Research Grants Programme

Applying research units must be led by a renowned researcher who is a national of a developing country, who holds a PhD and who has good research experience. The research unit should operate within a university or a research institution in one of the S&TLCs and should include a minimum of the Principle Investigator (group leader), plus at least two PhD-qualified researchers and a number of PhD and MSc students, technicians, etc. There is no age limit for unit leaders.
Applicant must at the time of application NOT have an active research grant with TWAS or OWSD.
Each applicant must have at least one MSc student under his/her supervision. Financial support can be granted only to MSc students with an ongoing Master of sciences.
Applications from women scientists and those working in Least Developed Countries are especially encouraged.
You must submit a strong Research Proposal, you may find further information on how to write research proposals by visiting AuthorAID.
Research unit leaders who submit a satisfactory final report on a previous grant may apply for a renewal.
Please be advised that applicants may apply for only one programme per calendar year in the TWAS and OWSD portfolio. Applicants will not be eligible to visit another institution in that year under the TWAS Visiting Professor programmes. One exception: The head of an institution who invites an external scholar to share his/her expertise under the TWAS Visiting Professor programmes may still apply for another programme.