Africa-India Mobility Fund 2019 for African and Indian Researchers

The Africa-India Mobility Fund (AIMF) is a two-year programme designed to provide researchers from Africa and India with opportunities for short visits in either direction to explore opportunities for building and strengthening scientific collaboration. 

Application Deadline: 4th October 2019 at 5 PM EAT.

Eligible Countries: African countries and India

To Be Taken At (Country): African countries and India (In an exchange format

About the Award: The AIMF initiative by the African Academy of Sciences and the Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance (India Alliance) intends to encourage South-South collaborations and learning between the two ecosystems. This is in recognition of the fact that Africa and India face similar challenges, both in the diseases that affect their populations and socio-political issues as well as the leadership required to address these. The exchanges are expected to enhance their skills and contribute to the growth of knowledge and leadership towards common health challenges.

Objectives

• To strengthen research & innovation capacity and knowledge exchange
• To strengthen scientific collaboration between Indian and African teams

Type: Short courses, Grants

Eligibility: 

• Applicants must be nationals of India or nationals of countries within Africa.

• They should be based either in Africa or in India, and should be affiliated with a recognised academic, medical, research institution, or other similar institutions. Those based at for-profit organisations are not eligible.

• The call is also open to non-African investigators who must be resident in Africa or Overseas Citizen of India (evidence may be requested), have an appointment/affiliation with an African/Indian institution, and their residence and tenure of service with the appointing African/Indian institution should cover the duration of the award.

• Travel should be between an African country and India and can be in either direction. Travel within Africa can also be sought for an engagement of more than one African country with India.

• Applicants must have a PhD/MD or equivalent research qualification and hold a permanent or fixed-term contract in an eligible institution, which must span the duration of the project.

• Collaboration should focus on a single project involving researchers in Africa and India, respectively.

• An applicant is eligible to receive only one grant per year.

Selection Criteria:

• The candidate – evidence of scientific track record or achievements (if young researcher) in the specified project area and demonstrated interest in collaborating with India/Africa.

• The proposal – scientific quality and feasibility of the proposal.

• Evidence that the grant will facilitate scientific exchange that would otherwise not be possible from distance. Evidence of added value for addressing the disease area/challenge and for fostering Africa-India collaboration.

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award: 

• The award will cover directly incurred costs up to $5,000 / INR 325,000 for travel lasting up to 3 months. This is to cover the applicant’s airfare (at Economy class) and subsistence whilst on the visit. Salaries and fees to attend meetings will not be eligible. An additional $2,500 may be requested for laboratory reagents, however, the decision to award the extra funds will be on case by case basis upon justification of the needs.

• The amount of each individual award will vary according to location and timescale. For example, if staying for a 3-month placement, the applicant may be expected to source university accommodation, or a short term let. However, if visiting for a week, a hotel or equivalent may be more suitable. The decision committee will consider whether the expenses are reasonable and may ask for revised costing.

• Please note that the grant can only be used to deliver the objectives stated in the grant application. Ensure that the best estimates for the full cost of undertaking the project described in the application are requested.

• Applicants may not seek funding for conference attendance, salary, equipment, per diem and indirect costs.

Duration of Program: 3 months.

How to Apply: To apply, visit The AAS Grants Management System Ishango 

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: The AIMF initiative by the African Academy of Sciences and the Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance (India Alliance)

Important Notes: Please note that the grant can only be used to deliver the objectives stated in the grant application. Ensure that the best estimates for the full cost of undertaking the project described in the application are requested.