BASEL CONVENTION COORDINATING CENTRE FOR THE AFRICAN REGION (BCCC-AFRICA)

GEF ID 11049: Circular and POPs-free Plastics in AfricaResearch Grant for Female Postgraduate Researcherson Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Articles

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Introduction

The project "GEFID 11049: Circular and POPs-free Plastics in Africa” (AfricaPlastics) invites applications from eligible female postgraduate students in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa,Uganda and Zimbabwe for research grants of up to USD 2,000 to support research that advances the environmentally sound management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)and other hazardous chemicals in plastics and other articles, including circularity approaches across the plastics value chain in Africa.Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United NationsEnvironment Programme (UNEP), and executed by the Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the African Region (BCCC-Africa), the AfricaPlastics Project promotes innovative research and practical solutions that contribute to safer chemicals management, sustainable materials use and the transition towards a circular plastics economy in Africa.

Purpose of Research Grants

The grants are intended to strengthen the participation and leadership of women in postgraduate research by supporting high-quality studies that generate scientific evidence, technological innovation, policy options and practical solutions for the environmentally sound management of hazardous chemicals in plastics and other articles.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be female postgraduate students enrolled in a Master's or PhD programme.

• They must be currently registered at a recognised university in Kenya, Nigeria, SouthAfrica, Uganda or Zimbabwe.

• The proposed research must have already commenced and be directly relevant to the objectives of the AfricaPlastics Project.

• The research must be supervised by an academic supervisor.

Priority Research Areas

Theme 1 – POPs and Other Hazardous Chemicals

• Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in plastics

• Management of POPs in other articles

• Alternatives to POPs in articles

Theme 2 – Circularity and Environmentally Sound Management

• Circularity approaches for plastics containing POPs

• Recycling and environmentally sound management of plastic waste containing POPs

• Innovative technologies and management approaches for POPs in plastics.

Theme 3 – Human Health and the Environment

• Human health and environmental risks of POPs in articles

• Emissions of unintentional POPs (uPOPs)

Theme 4 – Policy, Regulation and Governance

• Policies, regulations and governance relating to POPs in plastics and other articles

Grant Value 

Successful applicants may receive research grants of up to USD 2,000 to support approvedresearch activities.

Eligible Expenditure

• Laboratory analyses and consumables

• Fieldwork and sample collection

• Research materials and specialized supplies

• Data collection and analysis

• Local travel directly related to the approved research

• Other approved research expenses

The grant does not cover tuition fees, salaries, purchase of major equipment, conference attendance or expenditure unrelated to the approved research.

Application Process

Applicants should complete and submit the prescribed online Female Postgraduate Research Grant Application Form (downloadable at: https://popsfreeafricaplastics.org/research-grant/ ). The online form incorporates all information, declarations and endorsements required for evaluation. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Evaluation Criteria

Eligible applications will be assessed on the basis of:

• Relevance to the objectives of the AfricaPlastics Project

• Scientific and technical merit• Innovation and originality

• Feasibility of the proposed research

• Potential environmental and societal impact

• Integration of gender considerations, where appropriate

• Capacity of the applicant to successfully complete the proposed research

Submission of Applications

Completed online applications should be submitted electronically (by email) as follows:

To:

Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the African Region

1 Ijoma RoadUniversity of IbadanIbadan, Nigeria

Email: [email protected], [email protected],

Please also Send Copy, as applicable, to:

Applicants from Kenya: [email protected]

Applicants from Nigeria: [email protected]

Applicants from South Africa: [email protected]

Applicants from Uganda: [email protected]

Applicants from Zimbabwe: [email protected]

Closing Date

The closing date for receipt of completed online applications is: 31st October 2026.

Applications received after the closing date may not be considered.

Equal Opportunity

The AfricaPlastics Project is committed to promoting excellence, inclusiveness and gender equality in scientific research. Female postgraduate researchers whose work contributes to the environmentally sound management of hazardous chemicals in plastics and other articles, particularly Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), are strongly encouraged to apply.

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