{{The Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) calls for applications for funding by the Rwanda Innovation Endowment Fund. }}
The Rwanda Innovation Endowment Fund is an initiative of the Government of Rwanda in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the ONE UN.
It was established in April 2012 with the vision to transform Rwanda’s currently agriculture based economy to a knowledge based economy by year 2020 and to use science, technology and ICT as a key enabler of this transformation.
The Fund’s initial three funding priority focus areas include, agriculture, information communication technologies, and manufacturing.
Dr. Marie-Christine Gasingirwa, Director-General of Science Technology and Research said, “RIEF will offer entrepreneurs and researchers who have innovative, market oriented products, services, or processes that they want to develop and commercialize, an opportunity to secure funding.”
Applications that demonstrate innovation and marketability, as well as a strong potential to contribute to the economic and social transformation in Rwanda will receive up to $50,000.
Mr. Soteri Gatera, Head of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Development Cluster at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa (UNECA SRO/EA) ,
“the fact that Rwanda is among the first African countries to develop such a fund to support its innovators demonstrates its belief that investment in research and development in innovation is a national priority for development.”
The Ministry of Education is working closely with the Private Sector Federation, Business Development Centers, Higher Learning Institutions, Youth Associations, and the media to reach out to potential applicants in Rwanda and Rwandans living in the Diaspora.
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