The PRICNAC project – Promotion of Research, Innovation and Digital Culture in Central Africa – is launching a third call for proposals for micro-projects in the framework of its second phase of the grant. This new call for projects aims to select a minimum of 10 micro-projects, each of which will be financed with a minimum of 150,000 euros (98,393,550 FCFA) and a maximum of 180,000 euros (118,072,260 FCFA). Applications must be submitted no later than 16 June 2023 at 23:59 GMT+1, and in French only. The French Version of the call is accessible here – https://pricnac.org/3eme-appel-a-propositions-de-micro-projets-pricnac/

Context and justification of the call for proposals for micro-projects

 PRICNAC is one of the twelve projects funded under the ACP Innovation Fund of the OEACP Research and Innovation Programme with the financial support of the European Union. PRICNAC aims to contribute to an inclusive R&I environment in Central African countries for sustainable development and poverty reduction. It specifically aims to :

1. Improve access to sustainable solutions generated by R&I and adapted to local realities.
2. Expand the activities of the PRICNAC network.

This project is executed by a consortium of five institutions: the AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie) via its Regional Directorate for Central Africa and the Great Lakes based in Yaoundé (coordinator), OBREAL Global Observatory (Observatorio de Relaciones Unión Europea – América Latina), the AAU (Association of African Universities), CAMES ( African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education), and REIFAC (Network of Experts in Training Engineering for Central Africa and the Great Lakes).

PRICNAC is being implemented in eight countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Sao Tome and Principe, for an implementation period of 4 years (January 2021-December 2024).

The objective of the call for proposals for micro-projects

This call for proposals concerns the second phase of the PRICNAC grant and aims to select a maximum of 10 micro-projects for a minimum of 150,000 euros (98,393,550 FCFA) and a maximum of 180,000 euros (118,072,260 FCFA) in funding. The micro-projects will contribute to fostering collaboration between the various stakeholders (educational institutions, research centers, companies, national and local public administrations, chambers of commerce, entrepreneurial organizations, trade unions, NGOs, etc.) and to boosting the dynamics of innovation for sustainable development and poverty reduction in Central Africa.

The 10 micro-projects should be implemented by micro-networks (or consortiums) of different stakeholders working together towards a common goal within the priority areas of this call (3.2. Actions or Project types).

These micro-projects should be inspired by the logic of Smart Specialization Strategies. This concept refers to a system that has the capacity to develop new activities from existing resources. For example: developing new forms of energy from marine resources, developing digital applications to treat patients, developing de-pollution processes, etc.

How to apply?

Applications must be submitted exclusively online by 16 June 2023 at 23:59 GMT.

The proposal must be written in French.

If you have any difficulties using the online application system, please contact pricnac@auf.org.

To be complete, the application must include all the following documents:

(1) A completed online application form;

(2) An official letter of application signed by the highest authority of the contracting entity;

(3) A legal document attesting to the creation and status of the contracting entity (the entity must be established since at least 2018 in one of the countries targeted by the call) and also attach documents attesting to the creation and status of associated entities established in one of the countries targeted by the call;

(4) Proof of management of at least two grants for research and innovation projects of at least 75,000 euros (49,196,775 FCFA) each over the period 2018-2021;

(5) Annual activity and financial reports for 2019, 2020 and 2021 demonstrating experience and responsibility in the preparation and management of funded activities;

(6) Audit reports of the annual financial statements for 2019, 2020 and 2021 attesting to the regularity, fairness and reliability of the accounts in accordance with the law;

(7) The project proposal document according to the template provided;

(8) A logical framework matrix according to the template provided;

(9) A detailed budget in accordance with the template provided;

(10) A Framework Partnership Agreement signed by the authorized representatives of the Contracting Entity and the associated entities.

For more information, please visit the website   pricnac.org/Fr/