The New Africa-Bavaria Tandem Mobility Grant for Early-Career Researchers Has Started

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.

Strengthening equitable cooperation between African and Bavarian early-career researchers

As part of the programme, one research partner from a Bavarian university and one from an African university visit each other to ensure that the collaboration is as equitable as possible and based on mutual exchange. The trips last between two weeks and one month. The funding allows advanced doctoral students and postdocs to work in tandem on forward-looking issues, develop new scientific perspectives and build sustainable partnerships. Personal exchange and the exploration of conditions and resources on site in Bavaria and Africa enable the purposeful, joint development of new research and innovation proposals.

Research project on drought resilience in North Africa

The research project led by Dr Mohamed Ouarani from Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco and Dr Ismail Bouizrou from Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences develops strategies to strengthen drought resilience in North Africa. The researchers combine agro-hydrological modelling, climate forecasting and nature-based solutions, such as Managed Aquifer Recharge, to design innovative approaches to sustainable water management in arid and semi-arid regions. The two researchers and their institutions combine and complement their expertise and benefit from joint field visits, workshops and training courses for graduate students. The trips and personal exchanges serve to develop a larger joint research project.

Project on artificial intelligence in entrepreneurial education in Egypt and Germany

The research tandem of Dr Kareem Ahmed Ragab from Deraya University in Egypt and Dr Anh Nguyen from the University of Bamberg investigates the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in entrepreneurial education. In an international comparative study in Egypt and Germany, the two researchers analyse how the use of AI tools influences students' digital entrepreneurial intentions and which psychosocial dimensions play a role in this. The project combines empirical insights, theoretical models and practical tools to enable inclusive and AI-integrated entrepreneurial education for students. This collaboration strengthens the international experience of the researchers and their universities and aims to develop joint publications, policy recommendations and another joint research project.

The two tandems presented their projects for the first time at an online kick-off event on 26 September 2025. We warmly congratulate the researchers and wish them exciting and productive collaborations!