Applicants are now open for the AIMS Small Research Grants in Climate Change Science 2019.

These grants will support projects that are at the upper limit of the research-innovation value chain. i.e. projects that are likely to make a tangible impact. Such projects could be industry-led, community-driven, or policy-led, among other possibilities. These projects should make substantive use of mathematical concepts to provide solutions to climate change issues in Africa.

Objectives

The objectives of the AIMS Small Research Grants Program in Climate Change Science are to provide funding:

• To support the development of early-career African academics of postdoctoral standing. (or equivalent) who are seeking to establish an independent research/professional career in climate change. Further,  science discipline or the mathematical sciences with applications in climate change;
• Further, or new and innovative cutting-edge projects, including industry-led, community-, and policy-driven projects in climate change science that makes substantive use of mathematical concepts;
•  To support proof-of-concept or pilot projects that are geared towards addressing a well-defined climate change challenge in Africa;
• For projects that will promote uptake of research-based outputs/results in climate change science for the benefit of countries in Africa and the world at large; and
• Also, To increase intra- and inter-continental interactions between AIMS Centres of Excellence and other institutions.

Grants

• Projects will be for a period of 6 to 12 months at a non-recurring maximum cost of USD $10,000 per Grantee.

Eligibility

• Applicants should be of African descent but could be residing anywhere in the world.
• Applicants must hold a doctorate in a quantitative discipline including, but not limited to, applied mathematics, climatology, physics, chemistry, computer science, statistical ecology, or engineering.
• Likewise, Applicants not based in Africa must be able to hold the grant in an institution on the continent.
• Applicants should demonstrate evidence of research in either climate change science with applications of mathematical concepts or in mathematical sciences with practical applications to climate change adaptation, mitigation or resilience.
• Applicants should demonstrate expertise or ability to (co-)supervise Master’s and/or PhD students if intending to establish a research group/team. Such a research group/team could be in collaboration with a senior project advisor. The Grantee must have a recognized (co-)supervisory role in the project.
• Also, applicants should demonstrate an ability to translate climate change science research concepts to applicable solutions or recommendations.
• Applicants must be willing to hold an affiliation at an AIMS Centre of their choice and also,  spend a portion of their grant time in that Centre as a visiting researcher should the need arise.
• Further, Applicants must be willing to contribute to a non-technical publication/bulletin which will highlight their work.
• Applicants should be able to take up the grant within four months of receiving the grant award letter.