19 Apr 2017

Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development’s (NEPAD), the Southern Africa Network for Biosciences (SANBio) with the support of the Finnish-Southern African Partnership has opened up for the submission of applications for funding.

According to a press release from Botswana Innovation Hub, the funding is open for indigenous knowledge systems on the impact area of animal and human health nutrition.

It says technology solutions can include, but are not limited to nutraceuticals , preservatives, cosmetics and nutritious products made from indigenous resources and should at least be at proof of concept level leading to scale-up of manufacturing or prototypes at small scale production, leading to industrial scale production.

It continues to say up to R1 million ( about P7 84143.53 Botswana Pula ) will be provided to the selected innovator to implement the project over a 12 months period.

It also states that only innovative SMMES from SANBio member states are eligible for the fund, and that at least two members should collaborate in finding a solution with one of the members in the consortium being from Botswana.

The release advises applicants to ensure the consortium has an industrial partner as part of the applicants whilst project teams must include at least a business expert, the lead innovator and other experts needed for the implementation of the project.

It further says successful technologies must be safe for human consumption, affordable, scalable and ready to use or require only short-term development. BOPA