International Development Grant
Mathematical Sciences for Climate Change Resilience in Africa
Project Number: CA-3-D002703001
Status: Closed
Country/Region: Unknown
Regional Focus:
Maximum Contribution: $19,600,000.00
Start Date: March 25, 2017
End Date: September 29, 2023
Duration: 6.5 years
Project Description
The project aims to build a critical mass of mathematical scientists in Africa who can address the continent’s complex development challenges specifically focusing on the challenges contributing to and resulting from climate change. In support of this goal this project seeks to support the growth of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences’ Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI) a pan-African network of centers of excellence for post-graduate education research and public engagement in mathematical sciences. AIMS-NEI is also contributing to the advancement of women through a special emphasis on recruiting and supporting women in math and science. The AIMS Network currently has five operating centers of excellence including Cameroon Ghana Rwanda Senegal and South Africa and is working toward the establishment fifteen centers across Africa.
Expected Results
The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased participation of African mathematicians (particularly women youth and disadvantaged populations) in the global efforts to address climate change in Africa; (2) increased participation of African women in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields includes climate change STEM fields; (3) increased adoption and delivery of innovative climate change solutions by African industry governments and intergovernmental organizations; and (4) enhanced scope of the AIMS Network including in the field of climate change.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved at the end of the project (June 2023) include: (1) 2 501 students (of whom 835 women) have graduated from the five AIMS Centres; (2) a total of 200 young scientists including 185 graduates women researchers post doc and PhD candidates are now working on climate change related issues across the continent such as tropical diseases drought and climate variability mathematic models of physical climatic parameters biodiversity response and policy implications; (3) made a notable contribution to the expansion of the pool of experienced African scientists involved in climate science research and publication with a specific emphasis on promoting the inclusion of women; (4) gender equality is being integrated in a systematic and robust manner throughout the AIMS Centres of excellence including focused efforts to attract women applicants such as fellowships grants (including mobility grants) and research chairs for women; and (5) established strategic partnerships to deepen its impact and contribute to a continent-wide ecosystem where STEM education increases in importance. An illustrative example is a partnership with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi- Arid Tropics. They work together on capacity development programs aimed at improving resilience against the impacts of climate change through education and training youth employment and entrepreneurship research and innovation public engagement and policy advocacy.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
IDRC - International Development Research Centre
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
WGM Africa
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Department-Initiated