SciDev.Net

As part of the Royal Society’s growing efforts to assist in capacity building in sub-Saharan Africa, a new scheme was launched in 2008 : the Leverhulme - Royal Society Awards. This new programme provides funding for UK - Ghana/Tanzania bilateral research collaborations, aiming at enhancing the skill set in the African laboratory. The awards will offer support of up to £150,000 over three years, covering research costs, travel, and subsistence. Up to £10,000 per year can be used to purchase or maintain equipment.

Applicants are particularly encouraged to apply in the five priority areas:

• Agriculture (including animal health)
• Water and sanitation
• Basic human health research
• Biodiversity (including medicinal plants and green chemistry)
• Energy ( especially renewables such as solar power)

The next round of applications opens on 2 November 2009. The closing date will be the 1 February 2010. Awards will be announced no sooner than May 2010.

For further information, please visit our website: www.royalsociety.org/capacitybuilding