Call summary :

1. Eligibility
The purpose of the Mastercard Foundation and University of Cambridge Climate Resilience and Sustainability Research Fund (CReSus RF) is to develop innovative, integrated and interdisciplinary responses to sustainability and climate challenges, and shape the African continent’s responses to these challenges through research, innovation and skills for the next generation. Applicants from Cambridge apply jointly with applicants from universities/ institutes in Africa and co-create the projects. It is important that the funding is not simply used to provide services that will be carried out at one institution on behalf of the other, and that true collaboration is demonstrated in the application.

All applications must justify how the research is relevant to climate resilience and sustainability. This may be broadly interpreted. Funding is not restricted to science departments but is open to all disciplines and departments. Multi-disciplinary and inter- disciplinary applications are particularly welcomed as are innovative approaches.

Research proposals that engage with young people on the African continent (aged <36 years) and /or are of benefit to young people will be prioritised. Principal Investigators (PIs) are encouraged to consider how young people might be involved in the research team in Africa. Workshop proposals should be designed to enhance the skills of young people in Africa.

Both applicants should be at post-doctoral level or above although due consideration will be given for equivalent experience. Please contact us if one of the applicants does not have a PhD.

By completing an application, it is understood that both applicants are doing so with support from their Head of Department or equivalent. Both applicants should have a formal link to a research group/department/faculty in their home institution. It is also expected that both applicants remain employed beyond the end date of the awards. The awards are not intended to support post-graduate students, however, limited support for students (e.g. as part of a research project or internship) is encouraged.

The Cambridge- based applicant must be working at the University of Cambridge. The Cambridge applicants will act as the lead applicants, for administrative purposes, as the awards will be managed by their Cambridge Departments/Faculties/Institutes.

The Africa-based applicant must be in a Research Institution or University on the African continent.

2. Awards available

In this round, applications can only be made for a Research Catalyst Grant for up to £20,000 or a Workshop Grant for up to £50,000. We do not cover salaries of either PI. Most awards will be for a period of 12 months or less although longer timescales may be considered if well justified. For queries on eligible costs, please contact cresusrf@cambridge-africa.cam.ac.uk

All equipment purchased using the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Research Fund must be for use in Africa and must remain with the collaborating African partner institution/university upon completion of the project.

Research Catalyst Grants

The aim of the Catalyst Research Grant is to act as a seed fund/catalyst to enable the development of new research activity. Priority will be given to applications that build new partnerships (or expand existing ones) with the potential for long-term collaboration. Applications should clearly articulate how the collaboration adds value beyond that which could be provided by the individual groups/organisations and describe how the collaboration will operate. The funding is for research projects relevant to Climate Resilience and Sustainability. There is a broad interpretation of relevant research but within the application, justification will need to made to the relevance of the research. Applications may include equipment that is to be used in Climate Resilience and Sustainability research. Only one application will be considered per collaboration. Multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary approaches are encouraged with the same funding limits regardless of the disciplines involved. We anticipate that research catalyst grants may lead to further joint applications.

Workshop Grants

The aim of the Workshop Grant is to support high-quality workshops delivered in Africa in collaboration between African universities/institutes and the University of Cambridge. The workshops should focus on developing skills and knowledge relevant to research on climate resilience and sustainability with a particular emphasis on early career researchers. The workshops will be co-created by researchers in African institutions and Cambridge, with the expectation that workshops will be delivered in Africa. Furthermore, this grant aims to