Apply Now: Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund Offers £20K for Cross-Continental Research Partnerships

The Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund provides an excellent opportunity for researchers in Africa and at the University of Cambridge to collaborate on innovative projects across all academic disciplines.

Established in 2012 with support from The ALBORADA Trust, this competitive grant program aims to catalyze new partnerships and strengthen existing collaborations between Cambridge and African institutions.

Read on to learn how you can take advantage of this valuable funding opportunity to advance your research and build impactful international collaborations.

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Overview of the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund

Apply Now: Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund Offers £20K for Cross-Continental Research Partnerships

The Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund was created to foster meaningful research partnerships between the University of Cambridge and institutions across Africa.

Some key facts about the program:

• Provides grants between £1,000 – £20,000 for collaborative research projects
• Open to researchers at post-doctoral level and above
• Supports projects across all academic disciplines
• Aims to catalyze new collaborations and strengthen existing partnerships
• Has awarded 332 grants to date, enabling engagement with researchers from 35 African countries
• Many past awardees have leveraged initial results to secure major follow-on funding

The fund is designed to act as seed funding to kickstart new research activities and joint funding applications between Cambridge and African partners. Priority is given to projects that have potential for long-term collaboration and capacity building.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund, applicants must meet the following key criteria:

• Applications must be submitted jointly by one Cambridge-based researcher and one Africa-based researcher
• Both applicants must be at post-doctoral level or above
• The Cambridge applicant must be working at the University of Cambridge or an affiliated research institute (e.g. Wellcome Sanger Institute, NIAB, British Antarctic Survey)
• The African applicant must be based at a university or research institution in Africa
• Both applicants should have formal links to research groups/departments at their home institutions
• Applicants are expected to remain employed at their institutions beyond the end date of the ALBORADA award

It’s important to note that the fund is not intended to support postgraduate students.

However, limited support for students may be considered if it clearly enhances the collaboration between the Cambridge and African PIs.

Funding Available

The Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund provides grants ranging from £1,000 to £20,000. Funding can be used to cover:

• Research costs (e.g. reagents, fieldwork expenses, equipment)
• Research-related travel between Cambridge and Africa
• Conducting research training activities in Africa (e.g. workshops, courses)

The maximum funding amounts for different types of projects are:

• Up to £20,000 for science/engineering research projects (including equipment)
• Up to £6,000 for social sciences and humanities projects
• Up to £5,000 for workshops/courses in Africa
• Up to £3,000 for travel awards

It’s important to note that the fund cannot cover:

• Overhead costs
• PI salaries
• Administrative costs
• Bench fees
• Conference attendance

When preparing your budget, be sure to only include allowable expenses that align with the fund’s guidelines.

Application Process

The application process for the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund involves several key steps:

1. Registration: The Cambridge-based applicant must first register on the online application portal. Only applicants with eligible Cambridge email addresses can register (@cam.ac.uk, @sanger.ac.uk, @babraham.ac.uk, @bas.ac.uk, @niab.com).
2. Inviting African collaborator: After registering, the Cambridge applicant logs in and invites their African collaborator to register and access the application.
3. Completing application: Both applicants can then log in, update, save, and jointly complete the online application form.

• Submitting required documents: The final application submission must include:Case for support and lay summary
• Itemized budget (using provided template)
• CVs for both applicants (max 2 pages each)
• Letters of support from both applicants’ departments/institutions
• Details of two suggested referees

1. Final submission: The completed application must be submitted by the deadline of September 12, 2024.

The online system allows both applicants to collaborate on the application, but the Cambridge-based researcher serves as the lead applicant for administrative purposes.

Tips for a Strong Application

To maximize your chances of securing funding, keep these tips in mind when preparing your application:

• Clearly demonstrate true collaboration between the Cambridge and African partners – avoid proposals where one institution is simply providing services for the other
• Highlight how the project will build new partnerships or expand existing ones with potential for long-term collaboration
• Explain how the project will strengthen research capacity of the African researcher and/or institution
• Provide a clear plan for how initial results could lead to further joint funding applications
• Ensure your budget only includes allowable expenses and stays within the funding limits
• Have both applicants’ department heads review and endorse the proposal
• Submit well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute technical issues

Taking time to craft a thoughtful, well-structured application that aligns closely with the fund’s goals will significantly boost your chances of success.

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Key Dates for 2024 Applications

Mark these important dates on your calendar for the 2024 funding round:

• Application portal opens: June 2024 (exact date TBA)
• Application deadline: September 12, 2024
• Funding decisions announced: December 2024 (estimated)
• Earliest project start date: January 2025

Be sure to check the official Cambridge-Africa website for any updates to these dates as the application period approaches.

Examples of Previously Funded Projects

To give you a sense of the types of collaborations supported by the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund, here are a few examples of past funded projects:

• Testing approaches and building capacity for fall armyworm control in Nigeria
• Palm oil cultivation research in West Africa
• Dendrochronology workshop in Zambia
• Urban densification and low-cost housing studies in Ethiopia
• Investigating antimicrobial resistance in Ugandan poultry farms
• Developing novel diagnostics for parasitic diseases in Kenya
• Exploring climate change impacts on smallholder farmers in Malawi

These examples showcase the diverse range of disciplines and research topics that can receive support through the fund.

Additional Support for Cambridge-Africa Scholars

In addition to the main research fund, the Cambridge-Africa program also offers mobility grants of up to £10,000 for graduating Cambridge-Africa PhD scholars.

These grants help scholars re-engage with research and researchers on the African continent after completing their studies at Cambridge.This additional support demonstrates the program’s commitment to fostering long-term collaborations and supporting African researchers throughout their careers.

How to Stay Informed

To stay up-to-date on the latest news and announcements about the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund:

• Bookmark the official Cambridge-Africa website
• Follow Cambridge-Africa on Twitter and LinkedIn
• Sign up for the Cambridge-Africa email newsletter
• Check with your institution’s research office for any internal announcements

Staying informed will ensure you don’t miss important deadlines or updates about the application process.

Preparing a Competitive Application

To maximize your chances of securing funding from the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund, follow these steps when preparing your application:

1. Start early: Begin planning your project and drafting your application well in advance of the deadline.
2. Find the right partner: Identify a suitable collaborator at Cambridge or an African institution with complementary expertise.
3. Develop a strong research plan: Clearly outline your project’s objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
4. Highlight the collaboration: Emphasize how the project will foster meaningful partnership between Cambridge and African researchers.
5. Demonstrate impact: Explain the potential broader impacts of your research on scientific knowledge and society.
6. Create a realistic budget: Ensure your budget is well-justified and adheres to the fund’s guidelines.
7. Get feedback: Have colleagues review your draft application and provide constructive criticism.
8. Follow instructions carefully: Ensure you complete all required sections and submit all necessary documents.
9. Proofread thoroughly: Eliminate any typos, grammatical errors, or inconsistencies in your application.
10. Submit early: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application to avoid any technical issues.

By following these steps and putting in the time to craft a well-thought-out proposal, you’ll significantly increase your chances of securing funding for your collaborative research project.

Alternative Funding Sources

While the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund is an excellent opportunity, it’s always wise to explore multiple funding options. Here are some other potential sources of funding for Africa-Cambridge research collaborations:

• Royal Society-FCDO Africa Capacity Building Initiative
• UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund
• Wellcome Trust Collaborative Awards
• Africa Oxford Initiative Research Development Awards
• USAID Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER)

Exploring multiple funding sources can increase your chances of securing support for your research and may even allow you to expand the scope of your project.

Conclusion

The Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund presents a valuable opportunity for researchers in Africa and at the University of Cambridge to collaborate on innovative projects across all academic disciplines.

By providing seed funding of up to £20,000, the program aims to catalyze new partnerships and strengthen existing collaborations that have the potential for long-term impact.

Key points to remember:

• Applications are due by September 12, 2024
• Grants range from £1,000 to £20,000
• Open to post-doctoral researchers and above
• Supports projects across all academic disciplines
• Aims to foster meaningful, long-term collaborations

If you’re interested in applying, start planning your project and identifying potential collaborators now. Carefully review the eligibility criteria and application guidelines, and begin drafting your proposal well in advance of the deadline.

By taking advantage of this funding opportunity, you can advance your research, build valuable international partnerships, and contribute to the growing body of collaborative work between Cambridge and African institutions.

Ready to take the next step? Click here to access the online application portal and begin your application for the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund 2024.