African researchers invited to apply for JWO Research Grant

The 2021 Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer (JWO) Research Grant aimed at early-career African scientists, and worth $150,000, is open for application

The JWO Research Grant seeks to support African researchers focused on innovative research that will contribute to the advancement of environmental and allied sciences; and address relevant, real-world, African issues of current and future importance.

The JWO Research Grant was founded in honour of the late Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer – who was passionate about preserving the continent’s natural heritage.

Grant eligibility

The lead applicant should be an early career African scientist, who has strong links to a credible African institution and is proposing to conduct research on the continent. The 2021 JWO Research Grant is encouraging trans-disciplinary research applications that seek solutions to challenges in Africa.

• The applicant must hold a degree (PhD, equivalent or higher qualification), and should have no more than seven years of work and/or research experience post-degree (excluding career breaks, including family-related breaks).
• The institution must have a proven ability to manage funding and subscribes to good financial grant practice.
• The institutional affiliation may be academic, research, government, NGO and for-profit organisation.

Note: Previously funded research not eligible

Grant award

The 2021 JWO grant of $150,000 will be awarded to one successful applicant. The grant will support a research programme of up to three years. There will be an annual call for new applications, and the grant recipient will be announced at the Oppenheimer Research Conference or a special event. The funds will be distributed in agreed tranches, based on satisfactory progress as measured against agreed milestones.

Grant deadlines

No late submissions will be considered.

Grant guidelines, application and selection process

The application process will comprise of two stages – pre-proposal and full proposal. Read the full list of application guidelines and about the selection process here.

All applications must be submitted in English through an online portal at: https://www.jworesearchgrant.org/jwogrant-application

Online applications will open 31 May 2021 and the deadline for submission will be 30 June 2021. Only online applications will be accepted.

“We look forward to receiving ground-breaking research applications from entrants for the third JWO Research Grant. We are confident that the contributions will not only enhance how we better manage our natural environment but also ensure the continued advancement of science on our continent,” said Dr Duncan MacFadyen, head of Research and Conservation at Oppenheimer Generations.