Africa-India Mobility Fund for African and Indian Researchers 2018

Application Deadline: 

• Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis from 3^rd April, 2018 and reviewed as received.
• The Award period will be April 2018 to March 2019 with 5 funding cycles per year. The funding committee will meet on the 5^th week of each funding cycle and funding decision communicated in 6 weeks.

Eligible Countries: African countries and India

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

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: 

• Applications broadly focused on infectious and non-communicable diseases of relevance to local, national, or global health will be accepted every month. The scope of the collaborative opportunity may include but is not limited to HIV/AIDS, TB, dengue, malaria, vector-borne diseases, parasitic infections, emerging infections, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, health systems research, antimicrobial resistance, drug development, microbiome and general biomedical sciences.
• While applications that involve existing collaborations will be considered, applications that target new collaborations and encourage diversity especially female and young applicants are particularly encouraged.

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

Reporting

• Recipients will be expected to submit a 3-4 page scientific report on the outcomes of the collaboration one month after the end of the visit. This should include scientific outcomes, experience and value gained from the visit, and proposed future steps (a standard narrative form will be provided).
• Financial reports will be submitted by the home institutions as per the prescribed template.  Proof of expenditure may be requested.

Awardees will also be expected to write at least one blog or a publication including photos about their experiences.

Duration of Program: 3 months.

How to Apply: All application forms should be submitted through the AAS Grants Management System (Ishango). Register and apply here.

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.