Call for pre-proposals: Pathways towards Sustainable African Urban Development

As part of the 5-year “Leading Integrated Research for Agenda 2030 in Africa” programme, the International Council for Science (ICSU), in partnership with the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) and the International Social Science Council (ISSC) will support up to 11 collaborative research projects across Africa (to the value of up to 90,000 Euro each over two years) that will that explore integrated approaches for sustainable urban development in Africa. The programme is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

We are inviting African early career scientists to submit collaborative research proposals that apply a systems approach to analyzing urban processes in Africa. These projects are expected to examine the inherent complexity of cities, to explore the interconnections, trade-offs and synergies between different dimensions of urban systems, e.g. governance, human and social capital, environment, economic systems and infrastructure.

The call for pre-proposals aims to identify collaborative research projects in Africa that bring together African early career scientists from different scientific disciplines and key stakeholders (e.g. local authorities, policy makers, built environment professionals, the private sector, civil society and citizens) in research co-design and co-production.

Applicants should have no more than 10 years work experience following their PhDs or equivalent research experience. The deadline for pre-proposal submission is 14 May 2018 (18:00 CET). Submission of pre-proposals and relevant documents may only be made using the online application form.

Please read carefully the call for pre-proposals with key requirements before submitting your pre-proposal (see below).

Following the call, 35 pre-proposals will be selected, representatives of which will be invited to attend a training event on integrated research, which will take place on 3-7 September 2018 (location tbc). This training aims to strengthen scientific capacity to undertake this form of research, to enable researchers to build meaningful inter- and trans-disciplinary projects, to support the development of full proposals and to strengthen science communication skills. Applicants should be aware that if their pre-proposals are selected, they are expected to attend this training. The programme will cover associated travel and subsistence costs.

Participants of the training will then be given about two and half months to submit full proposals (deadline is 23 November 2018, 18:00 CET). In February 2019, up to eleven collaborative research projects across Africa will be awarded up to 90,000 Euro each over two years.

Key Dates