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

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