Do you have an innovation for Africa? Apply for 2013 Innovation Prize for Africa

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).

Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) is a joint initiative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Innovation Foundation (AIF) started in 2011. IPA 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 and business applications. Specifically, the award targets technological breakthroughs in such main concern areas as manufacturing and service industry, health and well-being, agriculture and agribusiness, environment, energy and water and ICTs.

IPA aims 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 successful 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 will consist of three Prizes below:

• USD100’000 for the best innovator based on marketability, originality, scalability, social impact, utility/technical aspect and clear business potentials
• USD 25000 for the runner-up with the best commercial/business potential and
• USD25’000 for the runner-up with the highest social impact in the community/country.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible are innovations by Africans for Africa.  Africans in the Diaspora can also apply if their innovations are of significance for Africa.

Applicants are required to submit a full description of their innovation for the competition. In addition, a duly completed application form should accompany the entry.  The innovation description should clearly illustrate the social and/or economic outcome and impact with regard to African development and the priority area chosen, and should be in line with the  IPA assessment and selection criteria.

Application forms and description of the innovation should be in English or French. While the innovations can be conducted in any language including local languages, the submissions should be translated into English or French .

Applicants are required to attach a letter of support/endorsement from an institution or an authority with knowledge of their innovation. This will serve as a testimony of how important the innovation is in addressing development challenges faced by Africans.

Are you interested in this prize? Fill the online application form here. 

Deadline is 30th October, 2012. Goodluck!

Source: MDGs In Africa