OUAGADOUGOU — The General Directorate of Research and Innovation announced that applications for the fourth edition of the Scientific Research Excellence Award in Burkina Faso will be accepted from September 16 to October 15, 2024. This biennial award recognizes the contributions of teacher-researchers to the advancement of science and socio-economic development in the country.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Minister in charge of Higher Education and Research, represented by his technical advisor Benoît Joseph Bationo, officially launched the award’s latest cycle this Friday. The award aims to honor the work of teacher-researchers who address Burkina Faso’s pressing challenges through innovative research.
Bationo emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering high-quality research that can significantly impact national development. He noted that the award was established to acknowledge both individual and collective research efforts that specifically benefit Burkina Faso rather than other nations.
Serge Diagbouga, Director General of Research and Innovation, highlighted that this year’s award will encompass diverse fields such as science and technology, legal, political and administrative sciences, economic sciences and management, and literature, languages, arts, and communication. He assured that the eligibility criteria and selection process remain consistent with the standards set forth in decree no. 2017-1186/PRES/PM/MERSI from December 4, 2017.
The award ceremony, dubbed the Night of Excellence, is scheduled for the end of December 2024. Eligibility for the award requires submissions to be innovative, original, and have a tangible or potential impact on Burkina Faso’s development. Applicants must be part of the Burkinabe scientific community, either as nationals or residents, and present work completed within the last ten years.
Competitors stand to win the Prize of Excellence, which includes a certificate, a trophy, and a monetary reward of 10 million FCFA. Additionally, special prizes amounting to one million FCFA are also up for grabs in each scientific field.