Bavaria-Africa News

In cooperation with GIZ, the Scientific Coordination Office Bavaria-Africa organized a five-day technical study visit for Kenyan experts from the renewable energy and hydrogen sector. The delegates visited various institutions in Munich, Kelheim, Ingolstadt, and Regensburg to learn about the current status of Bavaria’s development of the hydrogen sector, gain insights for the Kenyan ambitions in green hydrogen, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

In October 2025, the Scientific Coordination Office (WKS) Bavaria-Africa undertook a networking trip to Ethiopia, one of the focus countries of Bavaria’s Africa strategy. The first highlight of the trip was a conference at the African Union in Addis Ababa, where the ‘European Interdisciplinary Master African Studies’ (EIMAS) celebrated its closing and at the same time the start of an alumni network. The second important event was the ‘Excellence Lab: Grant Proposal Writing for EU Funding Programmes’ at Jimma University. 

With this Tandem Mobility Grant, the Scientific Coordination Office (WKS) Bavaria-Africa offers new seed funding for early-career researchers. The pilot project was developed by the WKS Bavaria-Africa and is funded by the Bavarian State Chancellery. From more than 40 applications, two outstanding projects have been selected for funding in 2025.

From 1 to 5 November 2025, Bavaria's Minister President, Dr Markus Söder, will travel to the Republic of South Africa. The destination is the partner province of the Western Cape, with its capital Cape Town. The trip will focus on political discussions and strengthening scientific and economic cooperation between Bavaria and South Africa, particularly in the areas of research, innovation, and technology transfer. 
Martin Reichel, the Managing Director of the Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR), attended the signing of the ‘Bavaria–Western Cape Biotech Initiative’ as BayFOR is home to the Bavaria–Québec/Bavaria–Alberta/International Scientific Coordination Office (WKS) and the Bavaria–Africa WKS. The former supports scientific and technological cooperation within the framework of the Conference of Heads of Government, while the latter will coordinate strategic biotech partnerships.

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On 23 October 2025, the Innovation Fair in Brussels invites European, African and Mediterranean innovation networks to exchange ideas under the motto “Enabling that step forward”. The aim of the fair is to address key needs and gaps identified by research and innovation stakeholders in several consultations. BayFOR will be presenting successful African-European research projects and suitable funding opportunities for your EU project at the joint stand with EURAXESS.

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The Scientific Coordination Office Bavaria-Africa has produced a guidance paper for research collaborations between Africa and Europe.

The Africa-Bavaria Tandem Mobility Grant aims to strengthen cooperation in Research and Innovation (R&I) between researchers in African countries and Bavaria. Funded by the Free State of Bavaria and administered by the Scientific Coordination Office (WKS) Bavaria-Africa at the Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR), the grant promotes collaborative academic exchange. Deadline for submission is 06 August 2025.

On 11 June 2025, the Bavarian Research Alliance GmbH (BayFOR) will hold the online workshop ‘Excellence Lab Bavaria-Africa: Horizon Europe Funding Opportunity "GenAI for Africa"’. We will introduce the call topic “GenAI for Africa” and how to approach an application. The event also offers an ideal platform to get to know potential project partners with a focus on generative artificial intelligence for a digital, innovative and sustainable future, to connect and to exchange concrete project ideas.

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The Excellence Lab ‘Funding Opportunities & Proposal Writing Workshop for Upcoming Horizon Europe Calls’ took place on 26 and 27 May 2025 at the University of Gabès, Tunisia. The event was jointly organised by the University of Gabès and the Scientific Coordination Office Bavaria-Africa of BayFOR. During the workshop, we shared a comprehensive overview of the Horizon Europe funding programme and presented current calls for proposals. Tunisian participants, as well as the Bavarian delegates, engaged in the practical part on possibilities for joint proposals and further cooperation.