AfOx Catalyst Grants
AfOx Catalyst Grants provide seed funding to support the development of collaborative research between researchers based in African research institutions and at the University of Oxford. Catalyst Grants are open to all disciplines. Over the years, we have awarded over 250 Catalyst Grants that have initiated new collaborations between researchers from more than 100 African institutions with over 50 Oxford Departments.
AfOx Catalyst Grants have enabled the developed of long-term collaboration between researchers in Africa and Oxford. These collaborations have led to significant research outcomes, policy impacts and substantial further funding.
There are two routes through which applications for a Catalyst Grant can be made: AfOx Travel Grants and AfOx Starter Grants. Applicants should contact the departmental administrative teams before making an application to ensure that the department is able to support the proposed activities. As part of the application process you will be asked that your department is able to manage the award.
Applications are now closed.
- AfOx Travel Grants
- AfOx Starter Grants
- Eligibility
- Frequently Asked Questions
- AfOx Travel Grant supports the establishment of new collaborations through travel by applicants in either direction from an African institution to Oxford or vice versa. Travel Grants enable researchers to meet in either an African institution or Oxford and work together on an area of mutual interest.
- The AfOx Travel Grants fund activities including but not limited to, workshops and conferences, co-supervision, curriculum co-development, joint lectures and seminars, co-authoring publications, joint grant-applications and conducting of primary research.
- The duration of the travel grant can be between 1 to 8 weeks, and grants can be applied for a maximum of £5000.
- Applications for a travel grant must be made jointly between academics or researchers based in Africa at either an academic and non-academic institution and academics or researchers at the University of Oxford.
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The AfOx Starter Grants fund activities including but not limited to, the early-phase development of ideas, feasibility studies, public engagement, and conducting of primary research.
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AfOx Starter Grants provide seed funding for activities which aim to develop sustainable partnerships and strengthening applications for longer-term fellowships and funding.
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AfOx Starter Grants can be up to 12 weeks.
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AfOx Starter Grants can be applied for a maximum of £5,000.
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Applications for a starter grant must be made jointly between academics or researchers based in Africa at either an academic and non-academic institution and academics or researchers at the University of Oxford.
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AfOx asks all applicants for the Starter Grants scheme to carefully consider the necessity for travel prior to submitting an application.
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Catalyst Grant support the development of sustainable and equitable partnership between researchers in Africa and the University of Oxford. Applications should indicate the value of the proposed activities to both collaborators.
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If applicable, please indicate how your project addresses a particular challenge linked to the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Awards for both the Catalyst Grants are made up to a maximum of £5,000 and must be made jointly between researchers based in Africa at either an academic and non-academic institution and researchers at the University of Oxford.
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The Catalyst Grant may cover more than two people and additional individuals should be named under ‘Purpose of the Grant’.
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The overarching aim of the scheme is to foster the development of new collaborations and the scheme is not intended to be used as alternative support for already established collaborations.
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Oxford applicants must be of postdoctoral or equivalent status at the time of application. African applicants must be holding an appointment in an African academic or research institution at the time of application.
AfOx Catalyst Grants
Applications are open from Monday 22nd April 2024 – Friday 17th May 2024
The Travel Grant can be used to cover costs of travel (in either direction i.e. University of Oxford, UK to an institution in Africa or vice versa), accommodation and incidental expenses to a maximum of £5000.
The Starter Grant can be used to cover the costs of developing new collaboration including expenses arising from a defined research project, feasibility studies or public engagement activities to a maximum of £5000. Applications must clearly address at least one Sustainable Development Goal and demonstrate how the proposed activities will bring benefits to the chosen area of study, and generate societal benefits beyond providing knowledge and understanding in the area of focus.
Please ensure all costs up to the £5,000 limit are included in your budget. We encourage you to discuss your proposal with your administrative teams early to agree costs of the proposed activities including flights, accommodation, visa etc. It is the applicants responsibility to ensure activities align with their department's procurement and financial regulations.
For the Travel Grant funds will be transferred from AfOx to the department of the Oxford applicant. Administration of Travel Grants will be the responsibility of the department of the Oxford applicant including visa, travel and other financial expenditure. Applicants should discuss management of the award with their administrative teams before making an application to ensure they are able to support the activities proposed in the application.
It is the responsibility of the applicants to agree all proposed activities with your department administrative teams and confirm they are able to support these within the proposed timeline. Please discuss and approve timelines for visa application, securing accommodation, travel arrangements and the arrangements for paying for services with your administrative team before applying.
Starter Grant funding can be managed either by the host African institution or if preferred, by the partner Oxford department. For applicants with the intention of managing the grants from an African institution we encourage you to take the Good Financial Grant Practice assessment which provides an innovative and integrated approach to standardise, simplify and strengthen financial governance of grant funding.
Applicants will be required to submit a brief report within one year of the award. Reports should outline:
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The activities undertaken,
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The outputs arising from the collaboration
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The next steps to be taken, including any long-term collaborative projects arising from the award.
Tunde Decker talks about his Travel Grant experience
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Catalyst grants are intended to support the development of an identified potential research collaboration. The scheme is not a funding source for conference support.
Catalyst grants also cover collaborations with African research institutions. However, all applications are required to indicate how the award will support the development of sustainable partnership with their research institution.
You could apply for both the Catalyst grant and the visiting fellowship, but AfOx does not encourage multiple simultaneous applications. It is advisable to focus on the scheme that is most suited to your research project.
A travel grant can cover more than one trip as long as clear justification is provided in the proposal.
A starter grant can cover local travel as long as clear justification is provided in the proposal.
Oxford applicants must be of postdoctoral or equivalent status at the time of application.African applicants must be holding an appointment in an African academic or research institution at the time of application.
