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UK’s Department for International Development

Call for Applications

2015 Spring Accelerator Programme East Africa for Entrepreneurs

by lanredahunsi February 14, 2015

written by lanredahunsi

Application Deadline: 16 March 2015

SPRING is a first of its kind accelerator designed to build and scale businesses that offer

products and services to enhance the lives of adolescent girls, ages 10-19, living in poverty.

It’s a revolutionary experiment in market-driven social change, with the potential to reach

hundreds of thousands of girls in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Bangladesh,

Pakistan, Nepal and beyond.

Sponsored by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), the Nike

Foundation, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), SPRING will help chosen businesses further develop and market their girl-forward products through

grants, workshops and mentorships.

The five-year program kicks off in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. The ambition: to reach 200,000 girls by 2019.

A pioneering accelerator that provides finance, world-class mentors, and technical expertise to businesses that can improve the lives of adolescent girls

An estimated 250 million adolescent girls live in poverty worldwide, unable to build assets or safely raise the income needed for a more prosperous life. SPRING identifies and supports ventures that can bring life-enhancing products and services to this huge population.

SPRING is a 5-year programme backed by 3 of the most influential and innovative organisations in the world: the UK’s Department for International Development, the Nike Foundation, and USAID

SPRING helps scale businesses where their products and services are most needed for girls. The programme hub is in Kenya, and the first group of entrepreneurs is based in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. In phase 2, the initiative will extend to Tanzania and Ethiopia, and in phase 3, to Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal.

The Spring Programme is looking for 4 types of products or services that will improve girls’ lives:

Income-generating tools
Time- and labour-saving devices
Secure ways to save and invest
Products that increase safety and security

Eligibility Criteria:

Be a legal, registered enterprise able to demonstrate a minimum of one year of revenue-generating operations.
Be able to demonstrate current operations or plans to secure representation in Kenya, Uganda and/or Rwanda by June 2015.
The business’s product or service will increase adolescent girls’ ability to do one or more of the following:
- Generate income
- Save time or labour, giving girls more time to study or secure employment
- Save and invest their earnings and assets
- Feel safe and secure
The business’s product or service must be a physical, digital or financial asset that targets or benefits girls.

WHAT HAPPENS AT SPRING?

SPRING includes 9 months of immersive training, mentorship, and collaboration that will transform your business

Pre-Program: Six Weeks
Selection Camp: 1 Day Nairobi, Kampala, Kigali
Boot Camp Week: 2 Weeks Nairobi
Prototyping: 8 Weeks Home
Pitch Camp: 1 Day Nairobi, Kampala, Kigali
Implementation: 6 Months Home
Spring Forum: 1 Day Nairobi

Cost:

SPRING would cover in-country or international costs associated with traveling to the Boot Camp and provide accommodation for the Boot Camp.

How to Apply:

Download the Application Form

Apply Now Now for the SPRING Accelerator Programme

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the SPRING Accelerator Program

February 14, 2015 0 comment

Call for Applications

2015 Royal Society-DFID Africa Capacity Building Initiative for Scientists

by lanredahunsi January 7, 2015

written by lanredahunsi

Application Deadline: 19 March 2015

This programme is for scientists who want to develop collaborative research consortia between scientists in sub-Saharan Africa and a research institution in the UK.

The overall aim of the scheme is to strengthen the research capacity of universities and research institution in sub-Saharan Africa by supporting the development of sustainable research networks.

The scheme provides funding towards research expenses, travel and subsistence costs, (PhD) training, and limited funds for equipment.

The scheme is funded by the UK’s Department for International Development.

Basic eligibility requirements

Applicants must be based in one of the eligible sub-Saharan African countries (PDF) or the UK. In order to act as a principal investigator (PI), applicants must:

have a PhD or have extensive research experience at an equivalent level
have a proven track record of training students at Master’s and Doctoral level
have a proven track record of publishing in both national and international journals
be based in the respective countries at the time of the application

Applications will be accepted in three research priority areas:

Water & sanitation
Renewable energy
Soil-related research

Value and tenure

Programme Grants will provide support for Research Consortia, consisting of three African groups and one UK-based laboratory.

Applicants do not need to have held a Scientific Networking award to apply for a Programme Grant.

The Programme Grant may provide support of up to £1,243,000 over a five year period, including:

Expense	Budget per partner	Total Budget
A PhD studentship for each of the African PI’s	£60,000/studentship	£180,000
Research costs	Up to £20,000 per year for each research group	£400,000.
Exchanges of researchers	Costs for travel and subsistence of up to £10,000 per year for each laboratory	£200,000.
Equipment purchasing, repair and maintenance	Up to £10,000 per year for each African laboratory	£150,000
Additional training modules (workshops and seminars)	Up to £10,000 per year for each PI	£200,000
Co-ordination and management costs	10% of value of the grant	£113,000
Total Budget		£1,243,000

Application process

Applications to the Programme grants will be initially reviewed by three members of the Royal Society-DFID Africa Capacity Strengthening Initiative panel. Applications that are shortlisted will be independently peer reviewed and discussed at a panel meeting.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Royal Society-DFID Africa Capacity Building Initiative

January 7, 2015 0 comment

2014 Royal Society-DFID Africa Capacity Building Initiative Grant

by lanredahunsi March 25, 2014

written by lanredahunsi

Application Deadline: April 9 2014

The programme is for scientists who want to develop collaborative research consortia between scientists in sub-Saharan Africa and a research institution in the UK.

The overall aim of the scheme is to strengthen the research capacity of universities and research institution in sub-Saharan Africa by supporting the development of sustainable research network

The scheme provides funding towards research expenses, travel and subsistence costs, (PhD) training, and limited funds for equipment.

The scheme is funded by the UK’s Department for International Development.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must be based in one of the eligible sub-Saharan African countries (PDF) or the UK. In order to act as a principal investigator (PI), applicants must:

have a PhD or have extensive research experience at an equivalent level
have a proven track record of training students at Master’s and Doctoral level
have a proven track record of publishing in both national and international journals
be based in the respective countries at the time of the application

Applications will be accepted in three research priority areas:

Water & sanitation
Renewable energy
Soil-related research

Application

The first round of the Programme Grants is now open and will close on 9 April 2014. Results will be announced December 2014.

For More Information

Visit the Official Webpage of the Royal Society-DFID Africa Capacity Building Initiative

March 25, 2014 0 comment