The Merck Foundation calls application for UNESCO Merck Africa Research Summit – MARS Awards 2020. The Merck Foundation partnership with African Union is going to organize UNESCO Merck Africa Research Summit – MARS 2020 in Zambia with the aim to empower women and Youth in Research.

Summary 

UNESCO-Merck Africa Research Summit – MARS 2020 will have scientific support from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, African Union Scientific, Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC), Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Graduate School, Tata Memorial Centre, India, and Merck Foundation.

Purpose

The Program will present the ‘Best Young African Researcher Award’ and the ‘Best African Woman Researcher Award’ to recognize the outstanding contribution of African Female Scientists with the aim to promote women in research and advance their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). In addition to that, the summit will be a unique opportunity for the winners of a MARS Research Awards to share their research output and findings. It is also an opportunity for networking and career development. The Summit will provide a platform where they will be able to discuss and enable a conducive environment for better research.

Eligibilities 

The Merck Foundation invites applications from final year African Ph.D. students and young investigators involved in research related to either of the following topics: 1) Cancer (especially in women) & 2) Vaccines Development. In addition to that, the applicants should be primarily based at African Research Institutes and Universities, although collaboration within Africa as well as outside is encouraged.

Additional Details 

• All Abstracts will be peer-reviewed and 15 winners will be eligible for sponsorship to attend UNESCO MARS Summit.
• The best three Abstracts will be eligible for Research Awards.
• Research Awards will be also dedicated to Best African Women Researchers.

Application

Interested candidates must submit their application via email to [email protected] along with your CV (including Name, Gender, Country, University/Hospital Name, Email address, Mobile Number) and the abstract document as an attachment or can apply online.

APPLY ONLINE