The African Plant Nutrition Research Fund invites preliminary project proposals that benefit African agriculture. The preliminary proposals will be screened and a selected number of the preliminary proposals will be invited to submit a full proposal.
2020 Priority Funding Areas
The African Plant Nutrition Research Fund invites preliminary project proposals in three priority areas:
1. Weather-sensitive nutrient management solutions for cereal-based and tree-based cropping systems.
Examples include:
- Adapting crop nutrition practices to variable weather and climate change to address stress conditions
- Weather forecasts and fertilizer recommendations; using digital technology for improved crop nutrition
2. The role of plant nutrition for improved system health in the soil-crop-livestock-human continuum.
Examples include:
- Crop nutrition impacts on soil, animal, and human health
- Integrated soil fertility management in mixed crop-livestock systems
- Assessing and managing crop nutrition in non-responsive soils and rehabilitating degraded soils
3. Big data aggregation and analysis for assessment of crop yield and nutrient response.
Examples include:
- Using weather and climate data to improve crop management and yields
- Synthesis of crop and yield data for predictive models supporting improved nutrient management
- Data acquisition and synthesis leading to understanding nutrient removal/partitioning in perennial cropping systems
Funding for this Call
Grant funding of no more than $50,000 USD per year for up to three years is typical for projects. Projects requesting more than $50,000 per year or lasting longer than three years will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Proposals that leverage additional sources of funding are strongly encouraged.
Additional Guidance
- The lead applicant must be from an African NARES institution (National Agricultural Research and Extension System) or African university.
- Partnerships with other African or international organizations will be viewed favourably.
- The proposed work must be primarily performed in Africa and all the work must be relevant to African agriculture.
- For-Profit partners in a research consortium must match the requested funding 1:1.
- We do not support proprietary product development, testing or promotions.
The proposal must be submitted via the www.apni.net/research-fund. Emailed, mailed or faxed proposals will not be accepted. If there are difficulties with the website, contact info@apni.net.
Deadline
Preliminary research proposals are due by Monday, December 21. No exceptions will be granted.
