🌱 Bioinoculants SMART Fellowships – Advancing Food Security in Africa

About

The Bioinoculants SMART Fellowships, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation under the programme Bioinoculants for Food Security in Africa (B-INOC AFRICA), are offered by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB).

These fellowships promote applied, high-impact science in agri-food systems, supporting researchers to conduct advanced studies in laboratories awarded Bioinoculants research grants. The programme emphasizes mobility, skill development, and collaboration, ensuring that fellows gain hands-on training in cutting-edge technologies while strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Proposals must clearly demonstrate how the research contributes to food safety, food security, or agricultural sector development, supported by solid preliminary data.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to researchers from: Burkina Faso, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda (and exceptionally, other ICGEB Member States).
• No age limit, but preference is given to young scientists at the start of their careers.
• Applicants must:
  • Be registered for a PhD or have obtained a PhD within the last 5 years.
  • Be actively working in a research institution or company engaged in R&D.
  • MSc holders or equivalent are also eligible.
• Applications must demonstrate strong collaboration between the home and host laboratories.
• Only one application per call is accepted per candidate.

This fellowship is designed for:

• Young agricultural researchers seeking advanced training in bioinoculants and microbiome-based solutions.
• Scientists working on bio-fertilisers, bio-pesticides, and bio-inoculants for food production.
• Researchers aiming to strengthen their home laboratories and contribute to Africa’s food security agenda.
• Institutions fostering collaboration in applied agricultural biotechnology.

Package Inclusion

• Fellowship duration: 3 to 9 months.
• Financial support includes:
  • International economy return travel.
  • Health insurance.
  • Monthly stipend:
    • USD 1,500 for PhD fellows.
    • USD 2,000 for Postdoctoral fellows.
  • USD 500 monthly bench fee for laboratory consumables, transferred directly to the host laboratory.
• Bench fee covers consumables such as reagents, labware, and PCR/qPCR materials.
• Fellows gain access to advanced technologies, mentorship, and collaborative networks.

Subject Areas

Eligible research topics include:

• Bio-fertilisers for sustainable crop production.
• Bio-pesticides reducing reliance on chemical inputs.
• Bio-inoculants enhancing soil health and productivity.
• Microbiome-based products and solutions strengthening agricultural and food value chains.

Deadline

• Application Closing Date: 31 March 2026, 23:59 CET
• Applicants are strongly advised to submit early to allow time for confirmation by both home and host laboratories.

Disclaimer

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by Agri-web. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the official websites and portals of this opportunity for complete program details and verified application instructions. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to exercise due diligence before submitting any personal or sensitive information.