Knowledge for Tomorrow – Cooperative Research Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa

Deadlines for the individual programs: see below

The funding initiative is open to all disciplines and aims at the development and sustainable reinforcement of research in Sub-Saharan Africa. Research projects, developed and carried out by African scholars and scientists in close cooperation with their German partners, shall provide junior researchers in Africa with an opportunity to enhance their skills and academic qualifications. Special emphasis is put on the development, reinforcement, and extension of academic networks inside Africa.

In order to give effective support, the Volkswagen Foundation elaborates calls for proposals in close cooperation with researchers from the respective field of expertise. For that purpose, the Foundation sets up and carries out thematic workshops by asking scholars to present contributions to current research issues. Travel expenses of participants are covered by the Foundation. As a result of workshop discussions a call for proposals for multi-annual research projects will subsequently be posted on the Foundation's website. Applications for the funding of research projects can only be submitted in the frame of these specific calls for proposals. However, the submission of an application does not depend on a previous participation in the respective thematic workshop!

Funding is available for the following:

Projects and fellowships
Call for Proposals for Research and Training Fellowships for Junior African Researchers in the Engineering Sciences (Information for Applicants, MB 81h). Deadline for applications is September 15, 2010.

Workshops, Symposia, and Summer Schools
Pre-proposals can be submitted at any time, but only after previous consultation with the respective contact person.

Funding impressions

In 2007, a conference was held in Bamako, capital city of Mali. During this event a movie was made which you can download on our page on the Bamako Conference 2007.

Information

Information on this initiative:

Information for Applicants

Projects/Fellowships "Engineering Sciences": Information for Applicants

Previous Thematic Workshops

Third Grantees Meeting
The third Grantees Meeting within the Africa Initiative took place in February 2010 in Bayreuth, Germany. For more information, please visit the website of the Institute of African Studies, University of Bayreuth.

Grants awarded:
Grants 2010
Grants 2009
Grants 2008
Grants 2007
Grants 2006
Grants 2005

Guidelines for Research in Partnership with Developing Countries (pdf, 80 kB; Swiss Commission for Research Partnership with Developing Countries)

General Information:

What applicants should know