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Seed funding boost for Zimbabwean innovators

Scientists and innovators from Zimbabwe, who usually find themselves hamstrung by a lack of funding to develop their projects, will now be able to acquire seed funding through a research and development budgetary allocation

Over the past few years, many projects by Zimbabwean innovators have been lying idle due to lack of funding.

Industry and local universities were also unable to offer any support due to the economic crisis, but a 2012 budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Science and Technology Development is set to support research development and the commercialisation of innovations.

“Individuals, public and private organisations, and universities that have science and technology innovations and R&D outputs and processes requiring seed funding, can apply to the ministry,” said a ministry spokesperson.

Preference will be given to projects focusing on energy, water, health, mining, indigenous knowledge systems and technologies, including emerging technologies such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and ICT.

The fund is to be disbursed in the form of loans or grants, which are accessible on a competitive basis.

“Projects will initially be funded to a maximum of US$20,000 with the possibility of further funding,” the spokesperson added.

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