Over the more than 30 years that ICGEB has been providing Funding opportunities through its CRP (Collaborative Research Programme) Grants, reviewers have singled out 1-2 outstanding proposals each year which are particularly worthy of recognition.
For the 2021 call, our external reviewers selected two CRPs considered to be outstanding:
1. Principal Investigator Dr. Florencia W. Djigma, University Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ougadougou, Burkina Faso has won the CRP 2021 prize for her lab’s project, entitled: “Implication of the host genetic factor in Human Papillomavirus infection and its associated cervical lesions and cancer in West African women”.
The project consisted in a series of studies investigating the role of different host genetic factors in the development of HPV-induced malignancy in West Africa. In a truly international collaboration between 6 West African countries, the group have identified specific polymorphisms associated with cancer development. The study was highly productive, resulting in 4 publications and training 3 PhD and 6 Masters students.
2. Principal Investigator Prof. Steven Runo, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya has won the CRP 2021 prize for his lab’s project entitled: “Deciphering resistance and virulence in Sorghum-Striga interaction”.
This project is a series of studies investigating the development of new varieties of Sorghum which are resistant to infestation by the parasitic weed Striga. The associated genomics and understanding the pest-host interaction is state-of-the-art and has resulted in a number of top class publications. Training was provided to 4 PhD and 7 Masters students, who benefited from the opportunities provided.
The CRP Grants represent a dedicated source of funding for projects addressing original scientific problems of particular relevance for the host country and of regional interest. The two prize-winners are deemed to have made outstanding progress during the course of their ICGEB-funded projects.
A steady number of applications are received from our Member States each year. In 2021 these numbered 517 proposals from 44 ICGEB Member States.
ICGEB CRP Grants remain one of the Organisation’s most popular programmes and enjoy worldwide recognition amongst awardee scientists.
Read more about the Programme.
