MastersFully Funded
Sci-Tech Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) | Deadline: July 27, 2021
Sci-Tech Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) | Deadline: July 27, 2021 -, Post a Comment
- Provider
- Various
- Deadline
- 14 May, 2026
- Region
- Global
About this scholarship
[starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/)
[June 5, 2021August 3, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/06/05/)
**Type:** Research Grant
**Field:** Science and Technology
**Partner organization:** German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
**Application deadline:** July 27, 2021
* * *
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) is slated to launch a new programme to help early-career scientists in developing African countries, primarily those within institutions that lack appropriate research facilities.
In partnership with the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), TWAS created the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI), which aims to “strengthen the capacity of African countries lagging in science and technology” through awarding grants to promising research projects in the following areas:
- Agriculture
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Engineering
- Information Computer Technology
- Mathematics
- Medical Sciences
- Physics
Through this programme, young, up-and-coming African researchers in their country or are about to return home to an academic position will be given the support they need through **a research grant of up to $67,700**. This is fully funded by the BMBF.
Furthermore, the grants, provided over the course of **24 months**, can be used to obtain and maintain scientific equipment, pay for fieldwork consumables, as well as purchase related textbook literature.
Please do note that the grant does not cover salary of the awardee, travel expenses unrelated to the research, laboratory animals, and the purchase of gadgets such as laptops, tablets, drones.
### **Other details**
The awarded Principal Investigator (PI) may choose to support a Masters of Sciences (MSc) student as part of the project. Additionally, they are also allowed to request funding for international conference grants, industrial link grants, and mobility grants, and open access publication grant.
On another note, SG-NAPI offers a supplementary component geared towards helping female scientists return to academia after a maternity leave via the Scientist-After-Child grant.
_For further specifications of each component, please refer to the official [SG-NAPI Application Guidelines.](https://twas.org/sites/default/files/research_grant/application_guidelines_sg-napi.pdf)_
### **Grant specifications**
Once selected, a trilateral written agreement will be drawn up between TWAS, the PI and the home institution.
For its part, the institution is tasked to administer the grant according to the agreement. They will provide the necessary laboratory space, salaries, and other facilities for the project. Equipment, consumables, and literature obtained through the SG-NAPI grant programme will remain the property of the home institution after the project is completed.
The grant funds are kept at TWAS for the purchase of items requested by the grant holder. TWAS will be responsible for placing orders with the supplier(s) upon receipt of proforma invoices submitted by the grant holder in accordance with the approved itemized budget.
Meanwhile, grant holders are expected to submit a final report within one year from the date of the last purchase.
### **Eligibility**
TWAS has identified **[47 eligible African countries](https://twas.org/african-countries-lagging-science-and-technology-0)** that are lagging in science and technology. To be considered, the aspiring PI must:
- Be a national of an eligible country (refer to list and guidelines) and has good research experience
- Hold a PhD that has been obtained in their home country within the last 5 years
- For Africans studying abroad: have returned to their home country within the last 36 months or will return home before the end of 2021
- Hold, be offered, or be in the process of accepting a position at an academic and/or research institution (including international research centers) in their home country
- Not have an active research grant with TWAS or OWSD Early Career Women Scientists (ECWS) Fellowship at the time of application
- Submit a strong Research Proposal (PIs may find further information on how to write one by visiting [AuthorAID](https://www.authoraid.info/en/resources/?topic=Grant+proposal+writing&language=English))
**NOTE:** Please be advised that applicants may apply for only one programme per calendar year in the TWAS and OWSD portfolios. Applicants will not be eligible to visit another institution in that year under the TWAS [Visiting Scientists](https://twas.org/opportunities/visiting-scientist) the [Visiting Professor](https://twas.org/opportunities/visiting-scientist/professors) programmes.
However, there is one exception: The head of an institution who _invites_ an external scholar to share his/her expertise under the TWAS [Visiting Professor](https://twas.org/opportunities/visiting-scientist/professors) programme or the TWAS [Visiting Expert](https://twas.org/opportunity/twas-visiting-expert-programme) programme may still apply for another programme.
* * *
SN-NAPI grant applications are to be submitted via [online forms](https://twas.org/opportunity/seed-grant-new-african-principal-investigators-sg-napi#:~:text=SG%2DNAPI%20Grants%20are%20awarded,lagging%20in%20science%20and%20technology). Kindly refer to the aforementioned link for further notice about the process. In case there are any more queries, visit the [official SG-NAPI webpage](https://twas.org/opportunity/seed-grant-new-african-principal-investigators-sg-napi) or please contact the TWAS SG-NAPI Grants Office via: [sgnapi@twas.org](mailto:sgnapi@twas.org).
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Eligibility criteria
Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.
- Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
- Currently applying to or enrolled at the Masters level
- Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3
- English-language proficiency demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL or an MOI letter
- Two academic or professional references able to speak to your potential
- Demonstrated financial need (most fully funded sponsors verify household income)
Required documents
A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.
- Valid international passport (bio page scan)
- Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
- Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
- Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
- Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
- Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
- Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
- Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
- Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
- Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders
Deadline timeline
Working backwards from the sponsor's stated deadline (14 May, 2026). Dates assume a smooth, single-attempt timeline — start earlier where you can.
- 12 months out19 May 2025
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
- 6 months out15 Nov 2025
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
- 3 months out13 Feb 2026
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
- 1 month out14 Apr 2026
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
- Application deadline14 May 2026
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.
Editorial verification note
The call is closed. This scholarship is for early career researchers in African countries lagging in science and technology. The deadline was 14 May 2026.
Last checked 5/8/2026
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the Sci-Tech Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) | Deadline: July 27, 2021?+
Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Various, and be able to relocate to the host country for the duration of the programme.
Is the Sci-Tech Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI) | Deadline: July 27, 2021 fully funded?+
Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.
When is the application deadline?+
The application deadline is 14 May, 2026. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
What documents do I need to apply?+
At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.
How can I improve my chance of winning?+
Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.