Research and Project Grants

TWAS research grants are awarded to both individual scientists and research groups

TWAS research grants fund several programmes that support:

  • Researchers in developing countries, allowing them to purchase specialized equipment and consumable supplies, and
  • Support Master of Science students.

The call for 2026 TWAS Seed Grant for Principal African Investigators will open soon.

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With the support of the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), UNESCO-TWAS launched a new programme to strengthen the capacity of African countries lagging in science and technology. The programme is aimed at early career researchers who have obtained their PhD abroad and have recently returned or will shortly return to an academic position in their home country. Grants are awarded to promising high-level research projects in Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth sciences, Engineering, Information Computer Technology, Mathematics, Medical Sciences and Physics and/or Germany’s High-Tech Agenda carried out in African countries lagging in science and technology identified by TWAS.

Deadline
Partner Organizations
Country where tenable
Minimum degree held
PhD
Field
Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Information Computer Technology, Mathematics, Medical Sciences and Physics
Age limit
40

Under this scheme, grants are awarded to promising high-level research projects in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics carried out by individual scientists in one of the S&T-lagging countries identified by TWAS.

No call will open in 2026
Partner Organizations
Minimum degree held
PhD
Field
Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics
Age limit
45

Under this scheme, grants are awarded to promising high-level research projects in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics carried out by research units in the S&T-lagging countries identified by TWAS.

No call will open in 2026
Partner Organizations
Minimum degree held
PhD
Field
Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics
Age limit
None

Under this scheme, grants are awarded to high-level scientists for interdisciplinary research projects. Each grant supports a collaborative project jointly carried out by two Principal Investigators (PIs) in the S&T-lagging countries identified by TWAS.

No call will open in 2026
Partner Organizations
Minimum degree held
PhD
Field
Interdisciplinary
Age limit
None

Under this scheme, grants are awarded to past grant recipients of the TWAS Research Grant programme who procured equipment through the grant in one of the S&T-lagging countries identified by TWAS.

The call is closed
Partner Organizations
Minimum degree held
PhD
Field
Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics
Age limit
None

Through the support of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the CAS-TWAS Network for Sustainable Development, TWAS and CAS have established a new programme offering grants for collaborative projects under the umbrella of the SDGs. This opportunity is open to one or more TWAS Members or TWAS Young Affiliates to cooperate with one of the CAS-TWAS Centres of Excellence (https://twas.org/cas-twas-centres-excellence).

The call is closed
Partner Organizations
Country where tenable
Minimum degree held
-
Field
Sustainability Science
Age limit
None

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis, affecting human health as well
as economies and societies worldwide. TWAS and the Islamic Development
Bank (IsDB) are offering a competitive grant for research collaboration.
Technologists and researchers from IsDB Member Countries are invited to
submit research and innovation proposals that can help address challenges
related to post COVID-19 pandemic.

The programme has been discountinued
Partner Organizations
  • Islamic Development Bank

    isdb_en_logo_initials_colour_1
    Country
    Saudi Arabia

    The Islamic Development Bank, founded in 1974, works to foster the economic development and social progress of member countries and Muslim communities in accordance with the principles of Islamic Law. It has made significant investments in areas related to science and science capacity, as well as in infrastructure and education. IsDB, based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has 57 member countries. It has regional offices in Rabat, Morocco; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Almaty, Kazakhstan; and Dakar, Senegal. It also has country gateway offices in Ankara, Turkey, and Jakarta, Indonesia, plus field representatives in 14 member countries.

     

     

     

     

  • Islamic Development Bank

    isdb_en_logo_initials_colour_1
    Country
    Saudi Arabia

    The Islamic Development Bank, founded in 1974, works to foster the economic development and social progress of member countries and Muslim communities in accordance with the principles of Islamic Law. It has made significant investments in areas related to science and science capacity, as well as in infrastructure and education. IsDB, based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has 57 member countries. It has regional offices in Rabat, Morocco; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Almaty, Kazakhstan; and Dakar, Senegal. It also has country gateway offices in Ankara, Turkey, and Jakarta, Indonesia, plus field representatives in 14 member countries.

     

     

     

     

Country where tenable
Minimum degree held
PhD
Field
COVID-19, Viral Outbreaks, Zoonotic Diseases, Diagnosis, Treatment
Age limit
None

Under this scheme, grants are awarded to teams of 2-5 women for action-based projects which, although scientific in nature, will take them outside the lab to promote practical and tangible change under the umbrella of the “climate action” SDG in their local context. The principal applicant and project leader is a woman scientist, holding a PhD, living and working in a science and technology lagging country (STLC). Co-applicants are either scientists or technical experts in a field relevant to the project, from any developing country.

The call is closed
Partner Organizations
  • The Elsevier Foundation

    elsevierfoundation_logo_420x269

    The Elsevier Foundation provides grants to knowledge centered organizations around the world, with a focus on diversity and inclusion in science, technology and health, research in developing countries and global health. Since 2006, the Foundation has awarded more than 100 grants worth over $6 million to non-profit organizations working in these fields. The Elsevier Foundation is a US based, corporate not-for-profit 501(c)(3), funded by Elsevier, a leading scientific, technical and medical information solutions provider.

  • The Elsevier Foundation

    elsevierfoundation_logo_420x269

    The Elsevier Foundation provides grants to knowledge centered organizations around the world, with a focus on diversity and inclusion in science, technology and health, research in developing countries and global health. Since 2006, the Foundation has awarded more than 100 grants worth over $6 million to non-profit organizations working in these fields. The Elsevier Foundation is a US based, corporate not-for-profit 501(c)(3), funded by Elsevier, a leading scientific, technical and medical information solutions provider.

Minimum degree held
PhD
Field
Application of knowledge and solutions to climate change, virtuous and sustainable agriculture, sustainable soil management, natural disasters, climate literacy, afforestation and reforestation, implementation of renewable energies, other relevant areas.
Age limit
None