AfOx-HIP is a University of Oxford collaborative platform supported by key researchers and led by the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx).
Application Deadline: 18th March 2026 by 23:59 BST
About the Award: The Africa Oxford Health Innovation Platform (AfOx-HIP) is a multi-disciplinary programme to support African innovators develop new solutions to Africa’s health challenges. It does so by connecting research to industry to tackle prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment through impact investment and innovation.
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AfOx-HIP is an extension of Africa-Oxford collaborations aimed at connecting research to industry to solve intractable societal challenges. AfOx-HIP helps ideas come to life as real solutions to big challenges through innovation and entrepreneurship by pursuing a broader purpose for sustainable futures. The shifting societal perceptions aligned to creating and sustaining value in the world provide an opportunity for promoting pursuit of purpose through impact investment and innovation.
Eligible Field(s): AfOx-HIP is open to work in any scientific discipline, including outside life sciences and engineering sciences, and any type of technology leading to the creation of solutions towards disease prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment.
Examples of technologies include:
- Therapeutics
- Vaccines
- Devices
- Digital technologies
- Diagnostics
Type: Contest
Eligibility: Applicants must meet all three levels of eligibility:
1. Applicant Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a national of an African country or have indefinite leave to remain in an African country
- Be legally resident and domiciled in an African country
- Be developing the proposed innovation in their host country
Applications from individuals or innovators leading small teams are welcome. Being an academic is not required, but applicants must demonstrate a strong scientific or technological foundation for their innovation.
Female and under-represented innovators are particularly encouraged to apply.
2. Solution Eligibility
The proposed solution must be science-based and aimed at disease prevention, diagnosis, management, or treatment, including vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices, therapeutics, or surgical tools.
Early-stage ideas are eligible in specific categories, while prototype-stage or more advanced innovations with scaling potential are strongly encouraged.
3. Venture Eligibility
Student projects, including master’s dissertations or capstone work, are not accepted.
Ventures must have a legal presence in the country of domicile, though founders who have not yet registered a company are eligible.
The scheme does not support innovations from well-established businesses, consultancies, NGOs, consortiums, or industrial research companies.
Applications from female and under-represented innovator/entrepreneurs are highly encouraged.
Eligible Countries: African countrie
Value & Number of Awards: Selected innovators will participate in a fully virtual Innovation and Entrepreneurship training programme designed for busy professionals. The course requires approximately 8–10 hours per week and includes:
- Weekly interactive workshops and group work
- Entrepreneurial thinking and venture acceleration
- Translational research
- Creative problem-solving
- Business with purpose
How to Apply: Applicants must ensure they complete all required steps and press “Submit” before the deadline; incomplete submissions will not be considered. Successful applicants will receive confirmation by email.
Shortlisted candidates will be notified of the outcome by 31 May 2026.
- Applications must be submitted in English.
- Required materials include:
- Disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest
- Completed online application form
- Reference letter from an affiliated institution or professional contact
- Visual demonstration of the innovation (maximum two-page PDF schematic or design; optional demonstration video)
- It is important to go through the FAQ & all application requirements in the Award Webpage (see Link below) before applying.
- GOODLUCK
Visit Award Webpage for Details
