Are you a talented early-career scientist who has already produced excellent supervised work, is ready to work independently and shows potential to be a research leader? The African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence Pilot Programme (ARISE-PP) Grant is an opportunity for you to further develop your research career and become a principal researcher leading your own grant.

Who can apply?

African researchers who are African nationals with 2-7 years of research experience since completion of their PhD, a scientific track record showing great promise, and an excellent research proposal to conduct excellent research in an African university or research institution.

What proposals are eligible?

The ARISE-PP grants are open to applications from all fields of research.  Proposals should take into account the priorities of the AU-EU High Level Policy Dialogue on Science Technology and Innovation (Public Health, Green Transition, Innovation and Technology, Capacities for science).

Eligible Host Institutions

Research must be conducted at an eligible university or research institution located in one of the African Union member states. The Host Institution (HI) must be a legal entity and a leading African institution able to provide an excellent research environment and facilities that match the requirements of the proposed research project.

Applications for an ARISE grant must be submitted by the lead Principal Investigator (PI) in collaboration with, and on behalf of, their African Host Institution. Grants are awarded to the  HI with the explicit commitment that this institution will offer appropriate conditions for the PI to direct the research independently and manage its funding for the duration of the project.

The PI does not necessarily have to be working at the proposed host institution at the time of submission of the proposal. However, a mutual agreement and the host institution’s commitment on how the relationship will be established are necessary, should the proposal be successful. The PI should be planning to work with the students and faculty based at the proposed host institution to enhance the HI’s capacity to undertake cutting edge research.

The call targets to award one grant per country. Therefore, researchers seeking to work at Host Institutions in countries often not awarded grants in pan African research funding calls are encouraged to apply.

How much?

The maximum grant amount per grantee is a lump sum of EUR 500,000 for a period not exceeding 60 months (5 years). An ARISE grant can cover up to 100% of the total eligible direct costs of the research plus a contribution of up to 7% of the total eligible direct costs towards indirect costs.