Call for Applications: Innovation Prize for Africa 2013
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Innovation Foundation (AIF) are delighted to announce the call for the 2013 Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA). As innovators/entrepreneurs are not highly profiled on development agenda, IPA acknowledges and encourages their endeavors. The prize honours and encourages innovative achievements that contribute toward developing new products, increasing efficiency or saving cost in Africa. The prize also promotes among young African men and women the pursuit of science, technology and engineering careers as well as business opportunities with potentials of contributing to sustainable development in Africa.
The aims are to:
- mobilize leaders from all sectors to fuel African innovation
- promote innovation across Africa in key sectors of interest through the competition
- promote science, technology and engineering as rewarding, exciting and noble career options among the youth in Africa by profiling success applicants
- encourage entrepreneurs, innovators, funding bodies and business development service providers to exchange ideas and explore innovative business opportunities.
IPA anticipates contributing to the following outcomes:
- increased commercialization of research and development (R&D) outputs in Africa
- increased funding of start-ups, adoption of new and emerging technologies and accelerated growth of an innovative and dynamic private sector; and
- increased economic activity and African led development that results in lasting impact.
The 2013 IPA recognizes innovative breakthroughs that unlock new African potential in the following five priority areas
- Agriculture/agribusiness
- Environment, Energy and Water
- Health and Wellbeing
- Information Communications Technologies (ICTs)
- Manufacturing and Service Industry
Only innovations by Africans for Africa are eligible to enter. Africans in the Diaspora can also apply if their innovations are of significance for Africa.
The 2013 IPA will consist of three Prizes, which will be given following the criteria outlined below:
A. The first Prize of USD100,000
B. The runner-up Prize of USD25,000
C. The special Prize for Social Impact Innovation of USD25’000
D. Nominees: This is a group of the IPA finalists who will be invited to the final face-to-face interview and to the Award ceremony. All nominees will receive certificates, and the IPA team will work with them to mobilize in-kind support to facilitate next steps for their innovation.
Deadline: 31 October 2012.
MORE INFORMATION/ HOW TO APPLY/ CRITERIA FOR ENTRY/SUBMISSION available HERE
