Commission launches call for €63 million R&D programme in Africa

 

The European Commission has launched a call for proposals entirely dedicated to research for Africa, addressing some of the science and technology objectives included in the EU-Africa Strategic Partnership agreed in December 2007.

Up to €63 million will be allocated to research projects in 2010 that aim to improve health conditions, and water and food security in Africa. Any research must involve African partners, to strengthen the continent’s research base.

EU Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potočnik said the Africa call is turning words into actions. “The EU-Africa Strategic Partnership is harnessing the potential of science and technology to meet the water, food, security and health challenges of Africa. It is getting researchers from Europe and Africa to work together in the true spirit of this partnership; we are working not only for, but with Africa.”

The call is the first dedicated research initiative for Africa under the EU's Framework Programme 7 and brings together the themes of Health (€39 million), Environment (€17.5 million) and Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Biotechnology (€6.5 million). The projects selected will involve these research fields and will also take into account broader socio-economic factors such as migration and resettlement, urbanisation, health care systems, variation of food and energy prices, etc.

All projects will involve local stakeholders. Depending on the project, at least 2 or 3 partners must be established in an African country. This will foster capacity-building through the promotion of academic research and training, the setting up of networks, and the building of sustainable capacity for research for health.

For more about the Africa call, see the Cordis website, or the Information Day.