South Africa, 2023 – Since its inception in 2019, the Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Research Grant has awarded $600 000 to African researchers pursuing solutions to the continent’s environmental issues.
Widely referred to as the JWO Research Grant, the grant is named after Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer, who devoted much of her time to philanthropic support in science, education, health. “As she became to understand more deeply the challenges that face Africa, and the world at large – the environment became an increasingly essential part of her focus”, Jonathan Oppenheimer says.
With over 1000 applications since its inception and an annual increase in numbers, the grant addresses the need to support early-career African scientists on the continent.
The grant is an important initiative focused on supporting innovative research that will contribute to the advancement of environmental and allied sciences; and address relevant, real-world, African issues of current and future importance.
Previous recipients such as Dr Gideon Idowu, an Environmental Chemist at Nigeria’s Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in Nigeria, is looking at the potential impact that microplastic pollution has on oceans as well as in Africa’s freshwater systems.
Dr Idowu believes that “Beyond the unesthetic scenes that plastic waste creates in the environment, we want to provide evidence in their effects in creating microplastics and endocrine disrupting chemicals, which potentially impair growth and reproduction in species. We believe that the findings will further compel policy makers to take real actions to reduce the disposal of plastic wastes”.
Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation Head, Dr Duncan MacFadyen says that “The grant showcases cutting-edge, innovative scientific research initiatives and provides a platform to foster and support Africa’s most brilliant minds. By so doing, it contributes further African voices into global conversations on environment and sustainability. The work pitched here is ground-breaking, impactful research, that regularly excites the expert panellists in anticipation as to whom will ultimately walk away with the prize”.
Grant Legibility
The lead applicant should be an early career African scientist1, who has strong links to a credible2 African institution3 and is proposing to conduct research on the continent. The 2023 JWO Research Grant is encouraging trans-disciplinary research applications that demonstrate a strong link to biodiversity and conservation.
1. The applicant must hold a degree (PhD,), and should have no more than seven years of work and/or research experience post-degree (excluding career breaks, including family-related breaks).
2. The institution must have a proven ability to manage funding and subscribes to good financial grant practice.
3. The institutional affiliation may be academic, research, government, NGO and for-profit organisation.
Grant Award
The 2023 JWO grant of $150,000 (USD) will be awarded to one successful applicant. The grant will support a research programme of up to three years. There will be an annual call for new applications (previously funded research will not be eligible) , and the grant recipient will be announced at the Oppenheimer Research Conference.
To apply for the grant, please follow this link – https://jworesearchgrant.org
Potential candidates may apply on the website on the 20th of March 2023.
About The Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation
The Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation team continue to build a first-class research entity which supports, funds and partners with national and international researchers to conduct cutting-edge research focused on the natural sciences ensuring practical and impactful outcomes. They are committed to further developing, expanding and promoting systems of sustainable conservation programmes and networks throughout the African continent.
About Oppenheimer Generations Philanthropies.
Oppenheimer Generations Philanthropies invests in early-stage opportunities that create inclusive sustainable growth across the continent. It targets its capital into underinvested areas that have a high potential for impact for both people and the natural environment and where critical tipping points can be achieved.
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Why is the environment important to human kind? The environment is important to human kind because it provides us with the basic necessities of life such as air, water, food and shelter. It also has a direct impact on our physical and mental well-being, as it provides places for recreation and relaxation, and can help to reduce stress. Furthermore, the environment contributes to the overall quality of life, as it helps to regulate the climate, and can affect the health of our economy and communities. Finally, the environment is essential for sustaining the biodiversity of our planet, which is essential for the survival of many species, including humans.
Three examples of how the environment affects human activities?
- Climate Change: Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and overfishing are all contributing to global climate change. Climate change has been linked to a range of impacts, from more extreme weather patterns to sea level rise and disruption of food production.
- Air Pollution: Human activities such as burning fossil fuels for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes are a major source of air pollution. This air pollution can cause respiratory problems, acid rain, and crop damage.
- Water Pollution: Human activities such as dumping waste into bodies of water, agricultural runoff, and oil spills can lead to water pollution. This pollution can cause algal blooms, contamination of drinking water, and destruction of aquatic ecosystems.
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