KENET’s Computational Modeling and Materials Science (CMMS) Special Interest Group has officially launched its Call for Proposals for the 2026/2027 academic year. This initiative aims to advance research capacity development and leverage computational tools to complement standard experimental infrastructure across Kenyan institutions.

For our BBPSK community, this grant offers an excellent avenue to fund projects at the intersection of quantitative biology, structural biophysics, molecular dynamics, and biomaterials.

Target Areas of Focus

This funding round specifically targets three key thematic areas:

1. Drug Design and Related Technology (Highly relevant to biophysical modeling, protein-ligand interactions, and computational biochemistry).
2. Materials for Energy Conversion and Environmental Sustainability (Relevant to biomaterials, bio-membranes, and sustainable bio-inspired technologies).
3. Earth Observation Science and Technology.

Scope of the Grant

The CMMS grant aims to foster institutional research by actively involving full-time university faculty alongside postgraduate/graduate students. By utilizing computational modeling as a decision-support and simulation tool, the grant seeks to accelerate scientific output even where physical laboratory infrastructure might be limited.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this call, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Must be a full-time faculty member in Computational Modeling, Materials Science, or related basic and applied sciences (including Chemistry, Physics, Biophysics, and Environmental Sciences) at any KENET member institution.
2. The Lead Applicant / Principal Investigator (PI) must be a PhD holder who attained their degree within the last five (5) years from the date of submission.
3. Applicants must demonstrate an active, ongoing research interest in the chosen focus area.
4. Note: Past PIs who have recently been awarded KENET research grants are ineligible to apply as lead applicants for this cycle.

Submission Guidelines

Interested BBPSK members and peers should submit a comprehensive Concept Note along with all necessary supporting documentation.

1. Submission Email: cmmsgrants@kenet.or.ke
2. Deadline: July 10, 2026, by 5:00 PM EAT
3. Enquiries & Support: For questions or technical assistance regarding the application, please reach out directly to grantsadmin@kenet.or.ke.