The German-African Innovation Incentive Award – GAIIA

The 'German-African Innovation Incentive Award' is an instrument of the BMBF to strengthen innovative research in Africa and to translate research results into practical solutions that benefit African societies. The aim is to improve the living conditions of people in Africa. German-African partnerships are an important success factor.

logo German-African Innovation Incentive Award

Group photo of the participants
Participants of the GAIIA award ceremony 2024 © B. Lammel | Bundesfoto GbR

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) honours outstanding achievements of African scientists with the German-African Innovation Incentive Award (GAIIA). The Award supports the further development of research results into innovative solutions that address the societal and environmental challenges on the African continent and benefit the population. It was first presented in 2018.

So far, 16 scientists from 10 African countries have been awarded and received funding of up to 150,000 euros for realising a joint research project with high exploitation potential, together with their German partners.

Video on the creation of the GAIIA trophy

video commissioned by BMBF