The prestigious Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Research Grant has opened for the year 2022. The award, which is in its fourth year, provides a major boost to African Researchers, with funding support of $150 000 awarded to a project with a focus on the preservation of the continent’s natural environment. In 2021, the JWO Grant was awarded to Dr Gideon Idowu from the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) of Nigeria.
African researchers are invited to apply for the grant which was established in honour of the late Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer who was passionate about science and sustainable use of Africa’s natural heritage. Over the past three years, hundreds of researchers have applied for the grant with some of the most exciting research subjects focusing on unique challenges facing the African continent.
“Over the last three years we have received numerous entries from across the African continent and researchers have continued to submit groundbreaking research proposals which tackle diverse subjects and aim to provide innovative solutions to some of Africa’s biggest challenges. 2022 marks the 4th year of this incredible journey and we look forward to the highest level of participation from our scholars so that we can assist them in making a positive impact in their communities and on the continent,” said Bridget Fury Head of Oppenheimer Generations Philanthropies.
“The purpose of the Award is to support African Researchers with a grant that will enable them to conduct and fund their research initiatives, while honouring the memory of Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer, who was passionate about tackling environmental issues on the continent. Each year we have seen interest from researchers across various fields of environmental science, and in 2022, we are looking forward to maintaining the momentum and observing even greater engagement and participation from entrants,” Added Dr Duncan MacFadyen Head of Research and Conservation at Oppenheimer Generations.
Applicants are invited to submit their research projects in English via the online portal on https://jwogrant.kinsta.cloud/ and to follow the conversation online by following Oppenheimer Research and Conservation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The deadline for the submission of entries is the 27th of May 2022.
Dr Gideon Idowu who won in 2021 for his innovative research on the effects of microplastics and chemical contaminants on people and the environment, remarked on the importance of the grant.
“The African continent has a unique set of environmental issues, and as a previous recipient of the grant, I am so proud that Oppenheimer Research and Conservation has identified these challenges and has created a platform which will allow researchers to contribute to the protection of our heritage and environment through this grant,” he said.