The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) invites interested scientists from all Sub-Saharan African countries and researchers at all universities and research institutes in Germany to take part in a scientific exchange in the field of agricultural sciences with special emphasis on the sustainable intensification of agriculture. The invitation is issued in close cooperation with the Fundo Nacional de Investigação (FNI) of the Republic of Mozambique and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) of the Republic of Zambia.
This initiative covers all research questions that are primarily concerned with agriculture. Subject areas include (integrated) animal production and cropping systems, animal and plant breeding technologies, soil and plant microbiome interaction, abiotic and biotic plant stressors, digital methods in agriculture, livestock farming and animal disease control as well as socioeconomic aspects of agriculture.
The aim of the initiative is for participating researchers to identify joint interests in the area of agricultural research and initiate new collaborative ventures.
The initiative comprises three consecutive steps:
- Identification of collaboration partners through previously submitted posters reflecting the researchers’ expertise, research interests and ideas for collaborative research projects;
- the subsequent opportunity to submit DFG proposals to support the Initiation of International Collaborations;
- a Status Workshop in Bonn/Germany from 8 to 12 April 2024 to convene all researchers funded under this call.
Researchers are required to submit their posters in either English or French by 30 September 2022. The submission of posters is a prerequisite for participation in the subsequent call for proposals. The proposals in the second step must be submitted in English by 28 February 2023. All proposals must include at least one applicant from Germany and one cooperation partner from Sub-Saharan Africa who have both previously submitted a poster. However, proposals can only be submitted by researchers from Germany.
