The Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat – Office of the President (STI-OP) aims to mobilize, coordinate and provide strategic oversight and policy guidance to scientists and stakeholders in ministries, departments and agencies, local governments, academic and research institutions, private sectors, media and the public along the prioritised industrial value chains to increase the productivity, import substitution and export of knowledge based products and services. In pursuit of this objective, STI-OP is inviting applications for grant awards dedicated to research and development (R&D) and innovations. These grants are available for projects that encompass new processes, products, technologies, or business models across several thematic areas. The thematic areas for grant applications include Pathogen Economy, Mobility, Infrastructure Innovations, Industry 4.0+, Aeronautics and Space, Productivity Acceleration and STI Support Services. 

Within the Pathogen Economy theme, grants are sought for advancements in therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics, and biomedical technologies. The Mobility theme focuses on localizing the supply chain for automotive parts and systems, manufacturing vehicles, e-mobility solutions, sustainable mass transit, and enhancing road safety.

For Infrastructure Innovations, the emphasis is on developing packaging technologies, exploring mineral resources and materials, improving waste management, advancing transport infrastructure technologies, and innovating sustainable energy solutions. The Industry 4.0+ theme targets the local design and manufacture of electronics, climate technologies, deep technologies, automation, cloud computing technologies, and e-government solutions.

In the Aeronautics and Space sector, the focus is on aerospace systems, subsystems, components, and Earth observation technologies. Productivity Acceleration is concerned with value addition technologies and tools that enhance productivity in crops, animals, and fish products. STI Support Services seek innovative platforms to promote public uptake of STI, research into product market fit for local innovations, and technologies and initiatives that develop STI human capital and improve market access.

Grant applications will be assessed based on the quality and relevance of the proposed work and the funding requirements. STI-OP may adjust the scope of work for selected proposals in consultation with the applicants, depending on the available funding.

Eligibility for these grants is restricted to Ugandan individuals and institutions, including industries, research institutions, and government agencies. Applicants must ensure they are not the lead on more than one application, and STI-OP staff is excluded from applying.

Interested parties should complete the online application form by September 18, 2024, at 11:59pm EAT. The application form, along with all required attachments, is available at https://grants.sti.go.ug/. Alternatively, completed hardcopy applications can be submitted to the STI-OP Office, located at Plot 106 Katalima Road, Naguru, by September 18, 2024, at 6:00pm EAT.

Feedback to applicants will be provided by September 25, 2024.