Application Deadline: 15 October, 2024
Applications are now open for the 2025 Royal Academy of Engineering Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. The Africa Prize is looking for engineers and entrepreneurs who have developed, or are in the process of developing, a new technological innovation. Applicants should have the ambition to take a leading role in creating a new business to commercialise this innovation. Innovations must aim to promote the welfare and economic development of a country or countries in sub–Saharan Africa and be designed to address a development need or specific challenge facing that country.
Applicants should be in the early stages of commercialising an engineering innovation that:
- is accompanied by an ambitious but realistic business plan that has strong commercial viability
- has strong potential to be replicated and scaled up
- will bring social and/or environmental benefits to a country or countries in sub-Saharan Africa
- is based in, and will benefit, a country in sub-Saharan Africa.
The innovation can be any new product, technology or service, based on research in any field of engineering, including:
- agricultural technology
- biotechnology
- chemical engineering
- civil engineering
- computer science
- design engineering
- electrical and electronic engineering
- materials science
- mechanical engineering
- medical engineering.
Eligibility Requirements
- 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 25 July 2023. 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.
Benefits
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.
- Eight month tailored training programme.
- Access to the Academy’s network of high profile engineers and business experts in the UK and Africa.
- The opportunity for finalists to present their innovation to a judging panel at the Africa Prize showcase event.
- Prize money of up to £25,000.
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