The Joint Research Unit (JRU) system of the International Academy of Food and Phytomedicine Homology (IAFPH) is organizing the application for joint research cultivation programs (JRCP), targeting the collaboration networks of JRU-Morocco, JRU-Senegal, JRU-Cabo Verde, and JRU-Côte d'Ivoire.

This project is categorized as a preliminary cultivation project, focusing on identifying cooperation directions, team integration, research design, preparing the foundation for institutional cooperation, and assessing long-term potential. A one-off large-scale scientific breakthrough is not the sole objective.

(I) Project Objectives

• To select teams or laboratories in Morocco, Senegal, Cabo Verde, and Côte d'Ivoire with a foundation in scientific research and long-term cooperation potential;
• To support preliminary joint research cultivation focusing on topics related to food, plants, health, animal health, ecosystems, and One Health;
• To reserve basic materials and partners for subsequent higher-level cooperation projects, the construction of joint research platforms, and long-term cooperation mechanisms.

(II) Support Directions

Direction 1: Research on plant-derived functional substances and health applications

Cooperation on plants‘ natural active ingredients and their functional evaluation, health applications, and preliminary joint research design.

Direction 2: Research on animal health, pathogen control, and One Health

Preliminary cooperation on animal health, pathogen control, antimicrobial resistance prevention and control, alternative interventions, antimicrobial synergy, and related interdisciplinary topics.

Direction 3: Synergistic research on plants, ecosystems, and health 

Interdisciplinary joint research cultivation on the synergistic relationship between plant resources, agricultural systems, ecological environment, and health.

(III) Implementation Mechanism

1. Phase I: Preliminary Identification and Cooperation Cultivation Phase

Phase I is the definitive funding stage, primarily used to support joint literature review and direction identification, small-scale preliminary research, initial docking of samples or methods, alignment of research technical routes between teams, formulation of three-year cooperation plans and platform construction ideas, and preparation of key materials required for subsequent cooperation.

Acceptance and Funding Standards:

Acceptance of this stage shall be based on the application materials submitted by the research team and the comprehensive review opinions from the expert panel. Funding will be disbursed after passing the acceptance:

Key Projects: Limit 1 item, funding ceiling 3,000 USD/item;

Cultivation Projects: Limit 1-2 items, funding ceiling 1,000 USD/item (funding for cultivation projects is limited to this and will not enter Phase II).

2. Phase II: Conditional Deepening Support Phase

The initiation of Phase II is predicated on the evaluation results of Phase I, does not constitute an automatic commitment, and shall be comprehensively determined by IAFPH based on the phase evaluation results and subsequent conditions.

Acceptance and Funding Standards:

The primary objective of this stage is to facilitate the establishment and operationalization of the China-Africa Joint Laboratory. The project must secure official recognition and strong support from both the governmental and social sectors of both parties. Funding will be disbursed after passing the acceptance:

Key Projects: Funding ceiling 10,000 USD/item.

3. Funding Management and Execution Norms

(1) Funding ceiling

The total cumulative funding for Key Projects shall not exceed 13,000 USD/item (including Phase I definitive funding and Phase II additional support). The specific disbursement amounts and trigger conditions for each phase shall strictly follow the provisions of the aforementioned "Implementation Mechanism."

(2) Principles of fund use

Project funds must be dedicated to specific purposes. The specific scope of use, reimbursement standards, execution requirements, and supervision and assessment methods shall be subject to the terms of the project mission statement or funding agreement ultimately signed by both parties.

(3) Dynamic management and exit mechanism

IAFPH implements dynamic tracking and management of project execution. For projects that fail to progress as required, fail to submit phase reports on time, or whose execution results clearly fall short of the standards, IAFPH reserves the right to adjust the funding amount, suspend, or terminate project support.

(IV) Eligible Applicants

• Higher education institutions, public or non-profit research institutions established according to law and operating normally within Morocco, Senegal, Cabo Verde, or Côte d'Ivoire, as well as research platforms, research centers, or laboratory host units that are legally established and possess research organizational capabilities.

(V) Application Eligibility

• The host unit must possess a clear and legal institutional identity;
• The project leader and the team must have a certain research foundation in the corresponding direction;
• Must possess the willingness and capability to participate in long-term international cooperation;
• Be able to cooperate in submitting relevant materials such as the institution, team, platform, research foundation, and cooperation vision;
• Be willing to accept project management, phase evaluation, centralized material submission, and achievement archiving requirements under the corresponding JRU framework.

(VI) Project Protection and Cooperation Rules

• IAFPH funding is only available to teams included in the corresponding JRU cooperation framework that accept the rules of this project;
• Teams accepting Phase I funding of this project shall prioritize advancing the deepening of cooperation on the same topic through the JRU system during the funding period;
• Research designs, cooperation concepts, platform visions, key materials, and undisclosed achievements formed during Phase I shall be subject to unified archiving and management by the corresponding JRU;
• Without the written consent of IAFPH, the same topic, key materials, and cooperation concepts shall not be directly provided in parallel to a third party for the advancement of similar cooperation;
• For teams that violate project rules, seriously damage the foundation of cooperation, or bypass established procedures to advance similar cooperation in parallel, IAFPH reserves the right to disqualify them from entering Phase II and receiving future platform support.

(VII) Application Procedures

• Release of Notice;
• Application Submission & Receipt;
• Eligibility Check;
• Peer Review & Strategic Alignment Assessment;
• Announcement of Phase I Shortlist;
• Signing of Project Task Book or Grant Agreement;
• Implementation of Phase I Project;
• Organization of Interim Evaluation;
• Decision on Advancement to Phase II Based on Evaluation Results.

(VIII) Application Schedule

• Notice Issuance: May 07, 2026
• Application Deadline: June 01, 2026
• Announcement of Phase I Selection: July, 2026

(IX) Material Submission Method

Please send application materials to: contact@iafph.org;

Please specify the email subject as follows: e.g., Application - IAFPH Joint Research Cultivation Program - [JRU Name], where [JRU Name] must be filled in as: JRU-Morocco / JRU-Senegal / JRU-Cabo Verde / JRU-Côte d'Ivoire.

(X) Other Matters

• The IAFPH Secretariat is responsible for the organization, implementation, and interpretation of this project;
• This project is a joint research cultivation project and is not equivalent to a formal long-term platform establishment;
• Matters not covered herein shall be separately explained by the IAFPH Secretariat.