The Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) community is uniquely positioned to lead transformative research on disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and sustainable development across Africa. A major new funding opportunity has been announced that directly aligns with IRDR's mission, and IRDR strongly encourages the participation from the community.
The opportunity
The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) Multilateral Research Call, backed by US$12 million, is now open to support African-led research consortia addressing the African Union's Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2034) . This call is not just a funding opportunity; it is a chance to strengthen cross-border partnerships, ensure evidence is translated into policy and practice, and operationalize IRDR's core objectives at a continental scale.
Key Call Features
Consortium Requirements: At least 3 institutions from 3 or more SGCI member countries (up to 5 co-applicant institutions from 5 countries)
Project Duration: Up to 36 months
Thematic Streams: The call covers five priority sectors, many of which directly align with IRDR's focus areas:
| STISA Priority Sector | Relevance to IRDR |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Climate-resilient and agroecological production systems; food and nutritional security |
| Health | Resilient health systems, One Health preparedness, infectious disease surveillance |
| Artificial Intelligence & Digital Technologies | AI applications for disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and community resilience |
| Energy | Diversified renewable energy systems; energy access for vulnerable populations |
| Environment | Water security, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and disaster risk reduction |
How to Participate
Review the Call Details: Visit the official website to check your country's eligibility, specific research streams, and grant caps: https://call.sgci.africa/
Build Your Consortium: Use the SGCI's matchmaking platform to find collaborators from the 20 SGCI countries (including Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and many others)
Attend Webinars: Information sessions are scheduled for July 23 and August 13, 2026
Submit Your EOI: The deadline for Expressions of Interest is September 25, 2026, 23:59 EDT
How the IPO Can Support You
We encourage you to share your plans with the IPO so we can:
Help connect you with potential IRDR partners across our network
Coordinate efforts to maximize the collective strength of our community
Support the integration of IRDR's integrated, multidisciplinary approach into your proposals
