TWAS Research Grants Programme in Basic Sciences for Researchers in Developing Countries 2018

Application Deadline: 11th May 2018

Eligible Countries: Developing Countries

About the Award: TWAS Research Grants are awarded to high-level promising research projects in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics carried out by individual scientists in the S&T-lagging countries  (S&TLC) identified by TWAS.
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; proposals focusing on more applied research should therefore be submitted to IFS. TWAS cannot accept projects relating to applications in agriculture or medicine or that use existing techniques to screen, for example, medicinal plants for bioactive substances or to monitor an environment for pollutants; TWAS will have to reject such proposals.

Fields of Study: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics

Type: Research, Grants

Eligibility: 

• Individual applicants must be nationals of developing countries. They must hold a PhD, be at the beginning of their careers, but already have some research experience. They must hold a position at a university or research institution in one of the S&TLCs and be under 45 years of age.
• Applications from women scientists and those working in Least Developed Countries are especially encouraged.
• Individual scientists who submit a satisfactory final report on a previous grant may apply for a renewal.

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award: 

• Research Grants to individual scientists amount to a maximum of USD 15,000.
• 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 and laboratory animals is not supported.

Duration of Program: 24 months

How to Apply: Apply Here

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: The TWAS Research Grants Programme in Basic Sciences is generously supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Italian government. The Sida contribution is mainly intended to support research proposals from S&TLCs in dire need of basic research tools.

Important Notes: Please note that the assignment meetings of the TWAS Research Grants Committees will be held by the end of the year. Applicants will be notified of the outcome shortly after the meeting.