Opportunities

On 1st July, we launched the RIU Innovation Challenge Fund for Africa. Around £2 million is available to fund projects over the next three years. Projects can be small or large (£300,000 maximum) but should focus on getting research into use via innovative communication methods and public-private partnerships in selected African countries.

Those applying for the African Challenge Fund should aim to put into practice existing research knowledge on agricultural development and poverty reduction. What we are looking for is a forward-thinking approach that brings together multi-stakeholder partners (including public and private bodies) and makes the most of new communication media. Grants could, for example, be used to fund the production of interactive radio programmes, TV phone-ins or dramas, and mobile phone text alerts.

Challenge Fund projects should focus on one or more countries from a list of ten: Ghana, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Senegal, Mali and Niger. RIU chose these nations because most of them are not currently involved in our country programmes under RIU component 1.2, the exception being Nigeria, which is participating in RIU components 1.1 and 1.2. We are, however, looking for co-funding. Which means that at least 30 per cent of funding should come from other sources, either in payment or in kind.

Successful project proposals will aim to be African-owned and African-led. And, ideally, applicants should harmonise project targets with those of relevant initiatives, namely the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) of the African Union’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the Framework for African Agricultural Productivity (FAAP).

Applicants must submit their initial concept notes by 12 noon (British Standard Time) on 1st September 2008. We will then make a short list, request full proposals by the end of October and select successful projects by the end of November. Guidance notes and application
forms are in English and French, but applications themselves should
be in English.

For more information, please contact Lucy Nickoll: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.