ICGEB BiotechNet Grants 2026 CRP – Collaborative Research Programme

Type of Support

The ICGEB CRP Grants programme was established in 1988 and aims to stimulate collaborative research in Member States and with the ICGEB Component laboratories, promote training of young scientists, and facilitate the creation of appropriate research facilities. The programme supports research projects in basic science, human healthcare, industrial and agricultural biotechnology and bioenergy. A call for applications is launched yearly.

Within this programme, and thanks to the funding of the Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development, the BiotechNet CRP Grants provide a dedicated channel to funds research projects of researchers in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

Grants are awarded to contribute to the implementation of outstanding scientific research projects. An important element of successful applications is the feasibility of the proposed project within the designated timeframe (maximum 24 months). The maximum annual contribution from ICGEB is Euro 24,000.

Funds can only be used to cover expenditures directly relevant to the project. This may include purchasing consumable items, scientific literature and basic standard laboratory equipment. Travel and training costs can also be covered.

Salaries of the Principal Investigators and infrastructural support (e.g., normal administrative and overhead expenses of the Institution, maintenance and rental of capital equipment, building, etc.) are not admissible and cannot be funded.

Eligibility

Applicants for research grant proposals (identified as “CRPs”) should hold positions at Universities or Research Institutes in any of thefollowing countries: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

International collaboration is a key feature of all ICGEB grants. It must be fully integrated into the project, detailing the exact role of the collaborators and explaining why this collaboration is crucial to the project’s success. International collaboration with another BiotechNet partner country is an essential feature of these grants and must be fully integrated into the project. International collaborations can also be established with other ICGEB Member States or other countries when relevant with the project research proposal.  Particular attention will be given to: i) projects addressing issues of interest for their country and the East Africa region; ii) projects presented by groups collaborating across more than one country; iii) projects entailing new rather than existing collaboration, especially with other laboratory based in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda; and iv) projects involving ICGEB PIs in at least one of the three components.

Please note that the CRP grant includes the obligation for its lead investigator to host a fellow from another partner country within the BiotechNet Fellowship SMART scheme, with the aim of fostering durable collaborations among laboratories within the BiotechNet partner countries (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda). Accordingly, the proposal must include a hosting and training activity for a BiotechNet SMART fellow from another BiotechNet country for a period ranging from a minimum of three to a maximum of nine months. This activity should be designed to strengthen collaboration between the laboratory receiving the CRP grant and the SMART fellow’s home laboratory.

Investigating groups do not qualify for submission of applications:

• if previously awarded projects have not been evaluated and satisfactorily concluded;
• If the University or Research Institute of the Principal Investigator is based in Italy.

A special category of CRP-ICGEB Early Career Return Grants is intended to fund young researchers with an outstanding track record who have spent a minimum of 2 consecutive years abroad and have recently returned to a BiotechNet beneficiary country (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda) to establish independent laboratories.

Applicants for Early Career Return Grants should be no more than 40 years of age at the time of application.
Applicants should have returned to a BiotechNet beneficiary country within the last two years preceding their application.

Submission and Closing Dates

Principal Investigators should submit their complete applications online via the ICGEB Service Gateway by the deadline of 30 April, 23:59 CET. A copy of the full application will be accessed by the Country representative (Liaison Officer), who is responsible for endorsing the application at the national level. ICGEB will only acknowledge receipt of the endorsed applications.