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Royal Society Africa Prize | MsingiLab

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AwardGrantClosed1 spot availableExpired

Royal Society Africa Prize

£15,000 research grant + £2,000 personal gift

ExpiredWebsiteEst. 2016

GrantPrizeBiological SciencesPhysical SciencesResearchEstablished

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Annual prize recognising research scientists based in Africa making innovative contributions to biological or physical sciences that build scientific capacity in Africa. Winners receive a bronze medal, a £15,000 research grant, and a £2,000 personal gift, and deliver a Prize Lecture at the Royal Society in London.

What You Get

Research Grant

£15,000 to support research activities

Personal Gift

£2,000 personal award

Bronze Medal

Commemorative Royal Society medal

Prize Lecture

Invitation to deliver a Prize Lecture at the Royal Society in London

How to Apply

Nomination only — candidates cannot self-nominate. Nominations must be submitted by senior academics or members of national academies of science. The nominee's research project should be linked to an African centre of excellence (typically a university or research centre). Nominations remain valid across three consecutive cycles.

Warm Intro

Required

Geographic Focus

Sub-Saharan Africa

Decision Timeline

Nominations close February; winners announced August (approximately 6 months)

Key Dates

2025-12-012026 cycle nominations open

2026-02-202026 cycle nominations close

2026-08-312026 winners announced

2026-11-30Next cycle (2027) nominations open

Eligibility

Must be an African citizen
Senior-stage researcher (typically 15+ years post-PhD)
Research project linked to an African centre of excellence (university or research centre)
Making innovative contributions to biological or physical sciences
Must demonstrate capacity-building impact in Africa
Cannot self-nominate — must be nominated by senior academics or national academy members

Traction Required

Established research career with demonstrated innovative contributions and capacity-building in Africa

Team Requirements

Individual researcher at senior career stage with potential to develop follow-on research

Selection Criteria

Innovation in biological or physical sciences
Significant capacity-building impact in Africa
Potential to develop follow-on research from the prize
Quality and significance of research contributions

Focus Areas

Biological Sciences

Innovative research contributions in biological sciences that build scientific capacity in Africa — includes biodiversity, drug discovery, infectious diseases, ecology, and related fields.

Physical Sciences

Innovative research contributions in physical sciences that build scientific capacity in Africa — includes mathematics, physics, chemistry, and related fields.

What They Look For

Senior African scientists making genuinely innovative contributions to biological or physical sciences, with clear evidence of building scientific capacity on the continent. The prize rewards sustained research excellence, not early-career promise.

Post-Investment Support

Prize Lecture at the Royal Society in London providing international visibility; connection to the Royal Society's network of Fellows and international scientists; association with the Royal Society's broader Africa programme.

Red Flags to Watch

Applicant must be a Czech entity — African organisations cannot apply directly; Requires 20% co-funding commitment; 2025/2026 cycle is closed; next call expected late 2026; Small grant size ($20K-$40K) may not suit capital-intensive projects

Insider Tip

This is nomination-only — the key is finding a senior academic or national academy member willing to nominate you. Nominations remain valid for three consecutive cycles, so even if unsuccessful in year one, the nomination carries forward. Focus on demonstrating capacity-building impact, not just research output.

2017

Active Since

Yes

Deploying

Notable Investments

Professor Ara Monadjem (2025) — biodiversity research and conservation; Professor Ali Baklouti (2024) — non-commutative harmonic analysis; Professor Kelly Chibale (2023) — drug discovery for endemic diseases; Professor Novel Njweipi Chegou (2022) — tuberculosis research