For candidates who have been looking for the funding of their research projects. The good news is that there are three must know research programs which may be the answer to their questions. Of course, there are several other research funding programs offered in various countries.

As outlined below are three research project funding programs you must know, especially for candidates from less developed countries. As the deadline for each of the funding opportunity may change, please carefully check the links provided for each program in order to get up to date information.

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1.     The International Foundation for Science (IFS) Research Grants

The International Foundation for Science (IFS) offers research grants to early-career scientists from low- and middle-income countries in the natural and social sciences.

IFS was founded in 1972 as a non-governmental organization in Sweden, where its Secretariat is located in Stockholm. Its establishment was Initiated after the 1965 Nobel Prize-winning Pugwash Conference in Venice¹, in order to foster original Research and Scientific growth within Low- and Lower -Middle Income Countries (LLMICs). IFS is a global organization that:

• is supported by a multicultural Secretariat with eleven staff (nine women and two men) who come from eight countries around the world.

• is governed by an international Board of Trustees that has representation from all regions in which it operates, as well as expertise in fund-raising, management and finance, and

• Has a membership of 92 scientific academies, three-quarters of which are located in LLMICs.

The Overall Objective of the IFS Program is to enhance the capacity of early career scientists in LLMICs to conduct relevant research, influence research agendas at local, regional and global levels and increase science literacy.

The Specific Objectives are (i) generation and dissemination of scientific knowledge by early career LLMIC scientists, and (ii) enhanced capacity of early career LLMIC scientists to influence, lead, network, fund-raise and put research into use.

IFS provides tailored research capacity-enhancing support to promising early career scientists based around the provision of individual Basic Grants and Advanced Grants (one per successful applicant).

Basic Research Grant

This is similar to the former IFS grant program, although with some revisions to eligibility criteria.

Individual early career researchers in both the natural and social sciences may apply for a Basic Grant to undertake research that is innovative and / or relevant to local or national development needs and problems, and that aims to generate fundamental and / or applicable scientific knowledge.

A time-bound call for proposals with closing dates will be announced on this website. Be sure not to miss the submission deadlines!

Please visit the website of the International Foundation for Science (IFS) for details about this funding programs.

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2.     The TWAS Research and Project Grants

The TWAS Research and Project Grants are awarded to both individual scientists and research groups.

The Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) provides research grants, fellowships, and prizes to scientists from developing countries in various scientific disciplines.

• The TWAS Fellowships – PhD and postdoctoral research fellowships are crucial for building scientific strength in developing countries. With the world’s largest South-South PhD and postdoctoral research fellowship programme, TWAS helps early-career researchers to gain education and experience at top science institutions.

• TWAS Research and Project Grants – Funding helps researchers in the developing world to purchase lab equipment and supplies

Currently, the Call for the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators is open to apply: SG-NAPI .

Qualified candidates can apply for the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI). With the support of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), UNESCO-TWAS launched a new programme to strengthen the capacity of African countries lagging in science and technology. The programme is aimed at young scientists who are getting established in their country or are about to return home to an academic position. Grants are awarded to promising high-level research projects in Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth sciences, Engineering, Information Computer Technology, Mathematics, Medical Sciences and Physics carried out in African countries lagging in science and technology identified by TWAS.  The deadline for SG-NAPI applications is 20 April 2023.

In order to learn more about the TWAS Research Grants Programme, please visit the official website. You can also find helpful information on the website of the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).

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3.     The Fogarty International Center Funding Opportunities

The Fogarty International Center provides funding opportunities for research training and collaborative research between U.S. and international scientists, with a focus on global health research.

Regarding the Fogarty Funding Opportunities, various types of funding are offered to qualified candidates. Below are the examples of the funding programs offered at Fogarty International Center: Career Development Grant, International Training Grant, Education Project, International Research Training Grants, Extramural Associate Research Development Award, Research Project Grant, and many others as can be found here.

For further information about a variety of funding opportunities offered by the Fogarty’s global health research and research training programs, please visit the official website.

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Further Information and Before Applying

If interested in each of the funding opportunities provided above, please visit the official website provided before applying so that you can learn more about the up to date information for the program of your interest. You can also check other research funding programs.