The Government of Rwanda through the National Council for Science and Technology has established a funding instrument “Women in Science Research and Innovation Grant (WIS)” whose ultimate goal is for women scientists to develop research proposals that will in future enable them to create jobs and become entrepreneurs. In this regard, on October 26^th, 2021, NCST published a Request for Applications (RFA) targeting research teams whose Principal Investigator (PI) must be a Rwandan woman scientist with a PhD degree or Master’s degree in a relevant field.

The purpose of this scheme is to enable women scientists to develop research proposals that shall be required to demonstrate experimental research design. This initiative is expected to stimulate and support women researchers to develop scientific leadership skills through development of proposals that may indicate how the results shall in the future lead to product and or service development, testing and validation based on the findings.

After a rigorous and systematic review of the applications received, NCST has selected 5 best projects for the award. The selected projects show how the findings will in the future have the potential to lead to innovation that would be commercialized as a new product or service. Details and summary of abstract and specific aims of those projects are listed below: 

1. Telegenetics and Genomic Testing in Rwandan Patients with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (TELEGERNE)

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Annette UWINEZA

Institution: University Teaching Hospital of Kigali(CHUK)

Project Summary: available here

2. Design, Fabrication and Testing of Solar Powered Induction Cooker

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Delphine Abijuru

Institution: Rwanda Energy Group (REG)

Project Summary: Available here

3. IoT Empowered Precision Agricultural Techniques for Improved Rice Production: An Automated Irrigation and Fertilization Application System for Small-scale Rice Producers in Rwanda

Principal Investigator (PI): Peace Bamurigire,

Institution: University of Rwanda

Project Summary: Avalable here

4. Design and Construction of Efficient and Cost-Effective Solar Dryers for Low and medium-size farmers and food processing enterprises in Rwanda.

Principal Investigator (PI): Mukeshimana Annoncee,

Institution: ULK Polytechnic

Project Summary: Available here

5. Improving indigenous chicken productivity for enhanced livelihood and food security among the resources limited household in Rwanda

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Claire D' Andre Hirwa,

Institution: Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB)

Project Summary: Available here