Application Deadline: July 19th 2022
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, founded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, is Africa’s biggest prize dedicated to engineering innovation. Now in its eighth year, the Prize awards commercialisation support to African innovators developing scalable engineering solutions to local challenges. These innovations show the importance of engineering in improving quality of life and economic development.
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation was launched in March 2014 to stimulate, celebrate and reward innovation and entrepreneurship across sub-Saharan Africa.
Since then it has provided invaluable training, mentoring and communications support to 102 businesses across 16 countries. It also has an established alumni programme with 71% of Africa Prize alumni currently generating revenue. Our alumni have also raised $14 million in grants and equity.
The application must be written in English.
The applicant must have a high level of English language proficiency in order to participate fully in the programme as this is conducted entirely in English.
The lead applicant must be over the age of 18 when applications close on 19 July 2022. There is no upper age limit.
Previous shortlist members or winners are not eligible to participate in the programme again, nor is anyone who was involved in their team or innovation.
Applicants can apply as an individual or as part of a team.
The lead applicant must be a citizen of a country in sub-Saharan Africa. For teams of two or more, the lead applicant (the person participating in training) must be a citizen of a country in sub-Saharan Africa.
The lead applicant must be ordinarily based in sub-Saharan Africa; if based overseas, this must be temporary for studies or otherwise.
The innovation must be based in a country in sub-Saharan Africa.
The lead applicant must have an engineering innovation, although they are not required to be an engineering graduate or student to apply.
The lead applicant must provide a letter of support from a university, research institution, innovation hub or previous incubator programme. This can be as simple as stating that an individual studied at or was involved with that institution. If applicants are not affiliated with any organisation, another document proving the status of their organisation or innovation, such as a document of incorporation or patent certificate, may be used.
Industrial researchers and establishments are not eligible.
Benefits
Support , funding and opportunities for African entrepreneurs
The Africa Prize offers a unique benefits package for up to 16 shortlisted participants to help accelerate their business including:
- Access to business and technical expertise and sector specific engineering mentoring
- Bespoke press coverage and communications support
- Seven month tailored training programme
- Access to the Academy’s network of high profile engineers and business experts in the UK and Africa.
- Opportunity for finalists to present their innovation to a judging panel at the Africa prize showcase event
- Prize money of up to £25,000
How to Apply:
All applications must be submitted via the online grants system, applicants should ensure they read the guidance notes (Africa Prize 2023 guidance notes are below) as well as the FAQ and eligibility pages before submitting their application.
Application guidance notes. (2.15 MB)
Online grants system To apply for the Africa Prize you must first register an account on our Grant Management System (GMS), which you will be prompted to do. Once in GMS, please select ‘Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2022/2023’ to start your application.
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