PACA Aflatoxin-Control Challenge in Africa for Researchers in Africa 2018

Seed funds of USD 15,000 to be awarded at the 3^rd PACA Partnership meeting in Dakar, Senegal (2^nd – 4^thOctober 2018). 

Application Deadline: 24th August 2018

Eligible Countries: African countries

To Be Taken At (Country): Award to be presented in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

About the Award: Attention to aflatoxin has increased in recent years, with growing recognition of their health risks as well as the barrier they pose to market development. The 2020 imposition of new, stricter aflatoxin regulations in the European Union has raised concerns about the future for African exports of crops.
Due to their high stability, aflatoxins are not only a problem during harvest, but also during storage, transport, processing, and other steps along the value chain. Consequently, to minimize both the health and economic risks, innovative evidence-based technologies are urgently required to minimize aflatoxin exposure.

Categories: The aflatoxin-control challenge provides seed funds for innovative research projects that have the
potential to reduce or eliminate exposure to aflatoxin-contaminated foods and feeds in Africa.
To stimulate innovation from different fields, the challenge calls for research proposals that fall within the following two categories:

• Non-food category: Aimed at finding alternative, non-food solutions to keep aflatoxincontaminated foods and feeds out of the food system
• Food category: Aimed at identifying solutions to eliminate or reduce exposure to aflatoxins from foods and feeds

Type: Grants

Eligibility: Students and researchers residing in Africa.

Selection Criteria:  The criteria considered in these reviews are:
a. Topic responsiveness – How well does the proposal address a key need illustrated in the challenge description?
b. Innovation approach – Does the idea offer an unconventional, creative approach to the problem outlined in the challenge?
c. Rationale for innovation – Does the proposal describe how the project varies from current approaches, offers new premises or hypotheses to test, and does it provide a
rational basis for expecting success?
d. Execution plan – Is the work described feasible within the budget and timeline
described?

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award: Seed funds of USD 15,000 to be awarded

Duration of Programme: The winners from each category will be notified by September 7th, 2018, and the award ceremony will be conducted at the PACA’s Partnership Meeting in Dakar, Senegal, on October 2-4, 2018.

How to Apply: Applications must be submitted to aflatoxinchallenge@gainhealth.org

Applications must be written in English or French and include the following sections:

• Summary of the research project (max 200 words)
• Background and motivation (max 400 words)
• Specific aims (max 400 words)
• Methods with proposed activities and budget (max 400 words)
• Novelty and potential application if successful (max 400 words)

Visit Programme Webpage for Details

Award Providers: The aflatoxin-control challenge is funded by the government of Canada, and conducted by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), in collaboration with Sight and Life Foundation, Mars, Incorporated, and the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA).