The call of the European Union’s 500,000 EUR
Grants for African scientist willing to
consolidate research career in the continent
Are you an African scientist willing to consolidate your research career in the
continent? The call of the European Union’s African Research Initiative for Scientific
Excellence programme is open. Deadline 31st July:
African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence Pilot Programme | Call for
Expressions of Interest
Access call details in French | Arabic | Portuguese
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.
Call Notes
Important Timelines
Programme Notes
Budget Notes
How to Apply
- ARISE grant applications can only be submitted in response to a Call
for Proposals. - All applications and their supporting documents must be submitted in
English. - Supporting documents issued in a language other than English should
be accompanied with their English translation. - Applications must be submitted via the AAS Grants Management
system (Ishango). - Application forms, guidance notes, and links to other relevant
documents are available on this webpage. - Submission of Expressions of Interest opens on 18 June 2021 and
closes at 17.00 EAT on 30 July 2021. - Successful Expressions of Interest will be invited to submit full
applications between September and October 2021. - Refer to the Guide for Applicants for a full description of the call.
Submission Deadline
Submission of Expressions of Interest opens on 18 June 2021 and closes at 17.00
EAT on 30 July 2
Access more information here