Call for Applications: Royal Academy of Engineering Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2025 in Sub-Saharan Africa (£25,000 Prize)

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 commercialize 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 commercializing 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 Criteria:

• 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 program 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 program 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 program.
• 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.

Deadline: 15 October, 2024

Click HERE to Apply