Royal Academy of Engineering calls applications for Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2021. This program aims to ensure that the higher education system in sub-Saharan Africa produces engineers with the skills and knowledge required to meet the needs of industry and tackle local challenges. It also aims to address the engineering skills shortage, and showcase engineering’s role in driving economic development in the region.

Under the HEP SSA program, university teachers undertake secondments with industry partners so their students can benefit from engineering courses updated with market standards. Students also acquire experience through work placements, increasing their chances of gaining employment.

Benefits

Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation has the following benefits

• The benefits of selection include comprehensive and tailored business training, sector specific engineering mentoring, communications support, pitching opportunities and access to the Academy’s network of high profile, experienced engineers and business experts in the UK and across Africa.
• Tailed training and mentoring culminates in a showcase event where a winner is selected to receive £25,000 along with three runners-up who are each awarded £10,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• The application must be written in English.
• The lead applicant must be over the age of 18 when applications close on 20 July 2021. There is no upper age limit.
• 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.
• The lead applicant must provide a letter of support from a university, research institution, innovation hub or previous incubator programme.
• This can be as simple as stating that an individual studied at or was involved with that institution. If applicants are not affiliated with any organisation, another document proving the status of their organisation or innovation, such as a document of incorporation or patent certificate, may be used.

Application guidance notes