Open Call - Mobility Grant for Research Stays in Africa for Early-Career Researchers

The Scientific Coordination Office (WKS) Bavaria-Africa of the Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR) facilitates international cooperation between Africa and Bavaria in research and innovation (R&I). With this mobility grant provided by the Bavarian State Chancellery, the WKS Bavaria-Africa offers seed funding to support early-career researchers in performing research in African countries and building international networks for future collaborations. The next deadline for applications is March 30, 2025.

Eligibility Criteria:

The Mobility Grant for Research Stays in Africa is designed for early-career researchers (PhD candidates and Postdocs (until 5 years after dissertation defence)) who are currently pursuing an academic career at a Bavarian Higher Education Institution (HEI). The mobility grant is designed particularly for early-career researchers who lack institutional funding for a research and networking stay in Africa and intend to initiate a new research project after their stay.

Scope of the Grant:

The grant finances travel costs and daily allowances for a stay in an African country during which the grantee meets, connects and works together with colleagues at one or several institutions. The grant focuses on two pillars within each mobility project:

Advancing Research: It intends to support research activities relevant to the individual’s further academic career.
Strengthening Networks: The grantee carries out networking activities with partners in Africa, providing the opportunity to establish new collaborations while also building on existing partnerships by integrating new contacts.

Funding Details:

Applications from all disciplines are welcome. The research and networking stay needs to cover a duration of at least 14 days and a maximum of 31 days. It has to start in 2025 and be completed by November 30, 2025. The funding is paid as a lump sum fund and amounts to a maximum of 3,500 euros. The funding is paid at two rates:

The first rate of 80% is paid when the grantee submits a letter of invitation by the African host institution to the WKS.
The second instalment will be released once the submitted final report meets all requirements.

The final report, summarising the research, networking activities, and outcomes, must be submitted to WKS within six weeks after the start of the travel or by December 01, 2025, at the latest. Additionally, proof of travel (e.g., boarding passes) must be provided.

Kick-Off Meeting

Following the announcement of the results in April, a kick-off meeting will be held on May 06, 2025, bringing together all successfully funded grantees.

Application Process:

Please submit the following two application documents as two individual files via email to Bayern-Afrika@bayfor.org

Submission Deadline:

The deadline for submission is Sunday, March 30, 2025.