Cambridge and African researchers collaborated on research projects before the Cambridge-Africa Programme was established as a grassroots effort. The initiative was started by Department of Pathology parasitologist Professor David Dunne, who was inspired to start it by his research on neglected tropical illnesses alongside gifted African colleagues but frequently lacked necessary resources. Dunne saw Cambridge employing its resources to close the mentorship gap between African universities and future researchers due to the lack of qualified professors in those regions. Cambridge-Africa was founded in 2008 as a result of this ambition, and Dunne directed it until 2018.The Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund was created in 2012 with funding from The ALBORADA Trust to encourage research partnerships between Cambridge and African universities. It has made 332 awards to research pairs in all fields, allowing Cambridge to collaborate with 35 African nations. Many beneficiaries have gone on to obtain more funding from organizations such as the Global Challenges Research Fund and the Royal Society using the funds they were first awarded.
The Fund provides competitive grants for training, travel, and research expenses in Africa, with awards ranging from £1,000 to £20,000. Bench fees, conference attendance, overheads, PI salary, and administrative expenses are not covered. The award letters containing the conditions must be signed by the lead investigators from Cambridge and Africa.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Both candidates must have support from their head of department or an equivalent and be at least post-doctoral level.
- Each needs to be formally connected to the faculty, department, or research group at their home institution.
- Both need to continue working when their ALBORADA rewards expire.
- If providing limited student help improves the rapport between Cambridge and African PIs, it might be taken into consideration must be employed by the University of Cambridge or a Research Institute that is connected to it.
- will serve as the administrative lead applicant.
- The British Antarctic Survey, NIAB, and Welcome-Trust Sanger Institute have all previously had applications approved.
Eligible Regions: Africa
Benefits:
- promotes collaboration on co-created projects that advance research, education, and engagement between Cambridge and African universities.
- serves as a spark for additional collaborative grant applications and research endeavors.
- strives to increase African institutions’ and scholars’ capability for research.
- funds research initiatives, equipment, workshops, training programs in research, and travel rewards.
- provides grants for a range of expenses associated with research, from £1,000 to £20,000.
- encourages initiatives aimed at strengthening relationships between Cambridge and principle investigators (PIs) throughout Africa.
- guarantees a well-organized grant administration procedure, complete with collaboration agreements and other paperwork.
- encourages authors and presenters to credit the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund in their works.
Deadline: September 12, 2024
