PRDF Projects

The AAUN Partnership & Research Development Fund (PRDF) provides catalytic seed grants to foster research collaborations between Australia and Africa.

2013 Projects Catalytic Seed Funding #

Photosensitization in controlling aflatoxins accumulation in maize

Agriculture
PI: Prof Shelia Okoth (Nairobi) | Partners: UQ, Murdoch, Georgia, Cape-Coast
Using photosensitization technology to treat maize contaminated with Aspergillus flavus to prevent fatal illness.

Value Chain Analysis of Cowpeas & Bambara groundnuts

Food Security
PI: Dr Casper Madakadze (Pretoria) & Dr Amin Mugera (UWA) | Partners: UCT, Murdoch, Ibadan, Makerere
Increasing productivity and post-harvest handling of cowpeas as an inexpensive protein source.

Harnessing agro-biodiversity for sustained food security

Climate
PI: Dr Peter Johnston (UCT) | Partners: Malawi, Curtin, Pretoria, Ibadan, Melbourne, UWA
Improving access to nutritious food and reducing climatic risk through agrobiodiversity.

High quality extruded foods for mother/child nutrition

Nutrition
PI: A/Prof Kolawale Falade (Ibadan) | Partners: Pretoria, Curtin, Kenyatta Univ
Alleviating Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM) through locally available grains.

AAUN coalition to support improved nutrition and health

Public Health
PI: A/Prof Robyn Alders (Sydney), Prof A Oelofse (UCT), Prof Mavis Mulaudzi (Pretoria)
Addressing chronic under-nutrition and obesity through food production and distribution analysis.

Reducing hypertension through salt reduction strategies

Public Health
PI: A/Prof Karen Charlton (Wollongong) | Partners: Ghana, Newcastle, WHO
Developing population-wide salt reduction strategies to reduce hypertension risk in SSA.

Integrating HIV and gender into mining environmental assessments

Mining
PI: A/Prof Angus Morrison-Saunders (Murdoch) | Partners: Pretoria, Makerere
Reducing HIV transmission risk near large-scale projects through enhanced EIA policy.
2014 Projects 14 Projects Funded #

Surveillance and monitoring of food security for Africa

Food Security
PI: Dr Ranil Coorey (Curtin) | Partners: Ghana, Makerere, Nairobi, Pretoria
Building a research network for food safety surveillance in poultry meat production.

Food supply in the context of trade, agriculture and nutrition

Trade
PI: Dr Joel Negin (Sydney) | Partners: Makerere, Pretoria
Understanding policy levers to influence urban food supply and promote healthier diets.

Mining for a Healthier Community

Health & Mining
PI: Dr Helen Macdonald (UCT) | Partners: Mauritius, Melbourne, UQ, Adelaide, ANU
Informing new strategies in the implementation of health rights for mining populations.

Special Economic Zones (SEZ): Law and Economics

Economics
PI: Dr Emmanuel Laryea (Monash) | Partners: Ghana, Nairobi, Murdoch
Evaluating success and failure of SEZs as a strategy for economic development.

Estimation of Rock Size Distributions Using Image Analysis

Technology
PI: Dr Anthony Amankwah (Ghana) | Partners: Pretoria, Curtin
Developing image analysis algorithms to estimate ore particle size distribution.

21st Century Skills: Rapid e-Learning Tools

Education
PI: A/Prof Mohammad Issack Santally (Mauritius) | Partners: Makerere, Curtin
Equipping educators with ICT integration skills through a Postgraduate program.

Master of Biosafety Joint Development Project

Biosafety
PI: A/Prof Andrew Drinnan (Melbourne) | Partners: Ghana, Nairobi, OGTR
Establishing a sustainable biosafety postgraduate program for sub-Saharan Africa.

Mapping Australia-Africa Partnerships in Higher Education

Education
PI: Prof Anthony Welch (Sydney) & Prof Crain Soudien (UCT) | Partners: Makerere, Pretoria
Mapping student/staff exchange and research collaborations between universities.

Mapping HR and Entrepreneurial Networks in EAC Special Economic Zones

Business
PI: Prof Felix Mavondo (Monash) | Partners: Makerere, La Trobe
Developing a framework and base data for SEZ project framing.

Integrated design of extruded foods for nutrition and health

Nutrition
PI: Prof Kolawole Falade (Ibadan) | Partners: Pretoria, Curtin, Jomo Kenyatta Univ
Delivering foods with targeted nutritional quality to improve wellbeing.

Sweetpotato postharvest-handling technologies

Agriculture
PI: Dr George Abong’ (Nairobi) | Partners: Makerere, UQ, Kibabii Univ
Developing safety and quality processing technologies for Kenyan sweetpotatoes.

Enhancing community-based farming via soil-water-nutrient management

Agriculture
PI: A/Prof Iankwu Odeh (Sydney) | Partners: Ghana, Ibadan, Nairobi, IITA
Investigating low agricultural productivity and resolving it through research diffusion.

Indigenous Edible Insects and Mother/Child Nutrition (Mopani)

Nutrition
PI: Prof Mavis Mulaudzi (Pretoria) | Partners: Makerere, Zambia, Melbourne, CSIR
Evaluating potential of insects to contribute to mother/child nutrition.

Developing and retaining the next generation of academics

Education
PI: A/Prof Mbulgeni Madiba (UCT) | Partners: Mauritius, Pretoria, Monash, Sydney
Strategy to develop and retain academic researchers within Africa.

Agro-biodiversity in Context of Climate Variability

Climate
PI: Dr Peter Johnston (UCT) & Prof Janet Bornman (Curtin) | Partners: Ibadan, Pretoria, UWA
Implementation plan for collaborative research on food security and climate risks.

AAUN coalition to support improved nutrition (Extension)

Nutrition
PI: Prof Mavis Mulaudzi (Pretoria) & A/Prof Robyn Alders (Sydney) | Partners: Ibadan, Makerere, Mauritius, Nairobi, Zambia
Knowledge-sharing workshop for researchers from Australia and Africa.
2015 Projects 5 Projects Funded #

Academics without doctorates: nature and extent of under qualification

Education
PI: Dr Mignonne Breier (UCT), Dr Lorraine Towers (Sydney), Prof Chaya Herman (Pretoria)
Investigating causes of the “PhD Problem” in SA, Mauritius, and Australia.

Monitoring food security practices from retail to home

Food Safety
PI: Dr Ranil Coorey (Curtin) | Partners: Pretoria, Ghana, Makerere, Nairobi
Developing a food safety determination system for chicken at consumption points.

Agro-diverse farming systems: potential for improving Food Security

Food Security
PI: Dr Peter Johnston (UCT) | Partners: Malawi, Curtin, Pretoria, Ibadan, Melbourne, UWA
Providing pathways for implementation to improve food access and reduce climate risk.

Phase Two: Nutritional value of Mopane Worms

Nutrition
PI: Prof Mavis Mulaudzi (Pretoria) | Partners: Zambia, Sydney, Kenyatta Univ, CSIR
Alleviating PEM through high-quality extruded foods from local grains/legumes.

Integrated whole-of-grain utilisation of cereal-legume composite

Health
PI: A/Prof Kolawale Falade (Ibadan) | Partners: Curtin, Pretoria, Jomo Kenyatta Univ
Investigating extrusion as part of integrated processing for high antioxidant ingredients.
2016 Projects 9 Projects Funded #

Food Security and Antibiotic Resistance in Chicken Processing

Food Safety
PI: Dr Ranil Coorey (Curtin) | Partners: Pretoria, Ghana, Makerere, Nairobi
Developing a robust food safety determination system for chicken.

Mobile based Information System for Nutrition driven Agriculture

Technology
PI: Prof Athula Ginige (Western Sydney) | Partners: Ibadan, Nairobi, Pretoria
Minimizing ‘hidden hunger’ through timely access to context-specific information via mobile.

New plant breeding methods for food production security

Agriculture
PI: Prof Wallace Cowling (UWA) | Partners: Mauritius, Pretoria, Sydney, UNE, Basel
Evaluating crop breeding methods arising from animal breeding.

Food composition data for animal-source foods in SSA

Food Data
PI: Prof Hettie Schonfeldt (Pretoria) | Partners: Sydney, Nairobi
Populating existing data to develop a single open-access reference source.

Urbanisation and Impact on Peri-urban Water/Food Security

Environment
PI: Prof Basant Maheshwari (Western Sydney) | Partners: Sydney, Makerere, Nairobi, QUT
Understanding complex land use patterns to improve water/food security in African cities.

Minimizing waste via value addition of fresh produce

Agriculture
PI: Prof Robyn McConchie (Sydney) | Partners: Ibadan, LUANAR, KEPHIS
Establishing pilot Innovation Platforms to reduce postharvest losses.

Future Legumes – Linking climate change and nutritional needs

Climate
PI: Prof Richard Harper (Murdoch) | Partners: Curtin, Cape Town, Aarhus Univ
Embedding a research training program within an international climate/nutrition project.

Education Leadership for Knowledge Society Development

Education
PI: A/Prof Mohammad Santally (Mauritius) | Partners: Makerere, Curtin
Conducting capacity-building workshops to equip educators with leadership skills.

Millet-based Functional Food Products for Obesity/Diabetes

Public Health
PI: Prof Vijay Jayasena (Western Sydney) | Partners: Ghana, Zambia, Ibadan
Dietary approach to preventing and managing chronic diseases.
2018 Projects 8 Awards Made #

Improved food security and biodiversity outcomes

Environment
PI: A/Prof Matt Hayward (Newcastle) | Partners: Pretoria, Makerere, Venda
Improving food security without negatively affecting biodiversity.

Aquaculture Production and Sustainable Livelihoods

Livelihoods
PI: A/Prof Richard Vokes (UWA) | Partners: Makerere, Nairobi
Helping fish-farming projects contribute to improved nutrition and empowerment for women.

Community-based Social Network for Mitigating Hidden Hunger

Nutrition
PI: Dr Bahman Javadi (Western Sydney) | Partners: Pretoria, Ibadan, Nairobi
Employing a community-based social network to mitigate micronutrient deficiencies.

Mapping Australia-Africa Partnerships in Higher Education

Education
PI: Prof Anthony Welch (Sydney) | Partners: Makerere, Pretoria, UNE, UKZN, HSRC
Mapping study to highlight extent and quality of existing university agreements.

Profiling and monitoring of Listeria monocytogenes

Food Safety
PI: Prof Elna Buys (Pretoria) | Partners: Murdoch, Nairobi, Ghana, Makerere, Mauritius
Initiating collaborative research to inform decision making by policy makers in food safety.

Empowerment in the Workplace: Study of Women in Africa

Gender
PI: Prof Prem Ramburuth (UNSW) | Partners: Western Sydney, Pretoria, Ibadan, Makerere
Investigating women’s roles in various sectors to lead to empowerment in the workplace.

AAUN-FLoRET: Future Legumes Research, Education & Training

Climate
PI: Prof Janet Bornman (Murdoch) | Partners: UCT, Ghana, Pretoria, Mauritius, UWA
Forming a graduate training program focused on climate resilient agriculture.

Enabling a food-phosphorus-sanitation sustainability network

Sustainability
PI: Dr Dana Cordell (UTS) | Partners: Malawi, Zambia, Jimma Univ, Cranfield
Linking food, phosphorus, and sanitation to improve farmer livelihoods and crop yields.
2019 Projects 10 Seed Grants Awarded #

Economic development, health and nutrition for sustainability

Sustainability
PI: Dr Janet Dzator (Newcastle) | Partners: Makerere, Botswana, Sydney, Cape Coast
Investigating reforms shaping sustainable development goals in Africa and Australia.

Transitioning to a sustainable future through STEM training

Education
PI: Professor Tim Roberts (Newcastle) | Partners: Nairobi, Kirinyaga Univ
Forming collaborative networks in sustainability and climate change transitioning.

Dehydrated products from traditional vegetables as meal replacement

Health
PI: Professor Dharini Sivakumar (Tshwane UT) | Partners: Pretoria, UQ
Investigating health benefits and economic benefits for rural populations.

Wind-borne soil erosion and microbial characteristics of dust

Environment
PI: Dr Andrew Dansie (UNSW) | Partners: UCT, Pretoria
Characterizing major hydrological and agricultural-related dust sources.

Addressing disaster and climate change-related displacement

Migration
PI: Dr Tamara Wood (UNSW) | Partners: UCT, Makerere, Nairobi, Pretoria
Formulating policy recommendations and networks for disaster displacement.

Integrating Urban Green Infrastructure and Food Security

Economics
PI: Dr Alec Thornton (UNSW) | Partners: Makerere, Nairobi, Zambia, UWA
Improving thought and practice regarding urban green space and smart green cities.

Australia-Africa macadamia plant protection research network

Agriculture
PI: Prof Andre Drenth (UQ) | Partners: Pretoria, AMS, Hort Innovation
Boosting African research programs to benefit macadamia production and livelihoods.

Development, diplomacy and the diaspora: Agenda 2063

Diplomacy
PI: Dr David Mickler (UWA) | Partners: Addis Ababa, Murdoch, Melbourne, DFAT
Identifying contributions by the African diaspora to AU’s Agenda 2063.

Smallholder Dairy Cooperatives in ODA Countries

Economic Dev
PI: Dr Amin Mugera (UWA) | Partners: Ghana, Nairobi, ILRI
Benchmarking performance and identifying barriers to enhance welfare.

Food Insecurity and Nutrition of African Refugee Children

Public Health
PI: Tina Lavin (UWA) | Partners: Ghana, Ibadan, Pretoria, Curtin, Alberta
Establishing future research priorities to address food insecurity in refugees.
2020 Projects 8 Catalyst Seed Grants #

Plasma activated water for fresh fish in Africa

Preservation
PI: Dr Kirsty Bayliss (Murdoch) | Partners: UCT, Pretoria
Investigating plasma ice application for fresh fish preservation and shipping.

Women Early Career Researchers (WECRs) in Food Systems

Capacity Building
PI: Professor Prem Ramburuth (UNSW) | Partners: Pretoria, Gulu Univ, ARUA
Investigating engagement of WECRs across multiple food system interactions.

Performance Measurement for Social Scientists in Agriculture

Capacity Building
PI: Dr Amin Mugera (UWA) | Partners: Nairobi, UWA African Research Center
Developing capacity of ECRs to conduct empirical research for agriculture.

Keeping iodine on the food policy agenda

Public Health
PI: Professor Karen Charlton (Wollongong) | Partners: Pretoria, Nelson Mandela Univ
Informing iodine fortification strategies alongside salt reduction policies.

Transitioning females through STEM training and research

Education
PI: Professor Tim Roberts (Newcastle) | Partners: Nairobi, Kirinyaga Univ
Growing school girl interest in STEM to increase enrollments at tertiary level.

Securing Water Supplies – Participatory Groundwater Monitoring

Water
PI: Prof Basant Maheshwari (Western Sydney) | Partners: Sydney, Makerere, Botswana, QUT
Piloting village level approaches to improve groundwater supplies.

Addressing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Public Health
PI: Prof Angela Dawson (UTS) | Partners: Nairobi, UNSW, Sydney, NSW Health
Exchanging good practice to prevent FGM and better care for affected women.

Nutrient density and protein quality of processed meat

Nutrition
PI: Prof Hettie Schonfeldt (Pretoria) & Dr Mieghan Bruce (Murdoch) | Partners: Ibadan, Calabar
Providing expertise and collaborative research on nutrient density of animal products.
2024 Projects 8 Catalyst Seed Grants #

Inclusivity in Virtual Study Tours: Technology in Learning

Equality
PI: Dr Aneeshta Gunness (Curtin) | Partners: UCT, Mauritius, Mpumalanga, UWA
Using technology to foster transformational learning and social cohesion.

Climate change resilience in higher education

Environment
PI: Dr Terri Trireksani (Murdoch) | Partners: Ghana, Mauritius, Curtin
Building innovative capability and climate resilience in HE sectors.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) perception among adolescents

Public Health
PI: Dr Blessing Akombi-Inyang (UNSW) | Partners: Ghana, Makerere, Botswana, Newcastle, Monash
Knowledge comparison across continents for human wellbeing.

Civil society participation in energy transition minerals governance

Environment
PI: Dr Joshua Matanzima (UQ) | Partners: UCT, Ghana, ANU
Comparative case studies of lithium development in Africa and Australia.

Gender Dynamics in Energy Transitions

Gender
PI: Prof Roula Inglesi-Lotz (Pretoria) | Partners: Mpumalanga, Curtin, ANU
Investigating environment and energy transition through a gender lens.

Sustainable Luxury Ecotourism Development

Ecotourism
PI: Dr Tinashe Ndoro (Pretoria) | Partners: Mpumalanga, Curtin, Western Sydney
Enhancing well-being in rural destinations through host community factors.

Enhancing pigeonpea and indigenous crop food systems

Food Systems
PI: Dr Selorm Yaotse Dorvlo (Ghana) | Partners: Pretoria, UWA, UQ
Technological and agronomic advancements for sustainable food systems.

Harnessing Biogas for Sustainable Milk Preservation

Environment
PI: Dr Denis Nsubuga (Makerere) | Partners: Nairobi, Newcastle, UQ, Johannesburg
Empowering cattle farmers in off-grid areas of Uganda.
2025 Projects 8 Catalyst Seed Grants #

Indigenous Knowledge and Green Innovation Cancer Solutions

Public Health
PI: Dr Nehemiah Latolla (Nelson Mandela Univ) | Partners: Ghana, Curtin, UNSW
Co-creating health solutions from African medicinal plants.

Foundations for Digital Mental Health Telehealth Systems

Digital Health
PI: Dr Sashah Mutasa (Edith Cowan) | Partners: Curtin, Makerere, Ghana, Walter Sisulu Univ
Comparative study of emerging models and established systems.

Food Waste in School Meal Programs in Rwanda

Food Systems
PI: Dr Theogene Dusingizimana (Rwanda) | Partners: Ghana, Curtin, UNSW
Pathway to resilient and sustainable food systems.

Bridging Continents through Clean Energy Research

Clean Energy
PI: A/Prof Manickam Minakshi (Murdoch) | Partners: Edith Cowan, UNSW, Pretoria, Nairobi
Research on electrochemical materials for energy transition.

Predictive modelling of hydrochar from food waste

Environment
PI: Dr Naadhira Seedat (Pretoria) | Partners: Makerere, Botswana, Curtin, Edith Cowan
Adsorption of H2S from biogas for energy transition.

Collaborative team to improve chronic disease outcomes

Public Health
PI: A/Prof Elizabeth Thomas (Curtin) | Partners: UWA, Mauritius, Pretoria, Gondar
Building a team for human wellbeing in Africa and Australia.

AI Governance in Africa and Australia

Technology
PI: Dr Deirdre Rule (UCT) | Partners: Pretoria, Mauritius, UWA, UNSW
Opportunities, security, and ethical considerations for AI digital revolution.

Empowering youth through educational sustainable energy

Education
PI: Dr Gloria Odo (Murdoch) | Partners: Makerere, Curtin, Rwanda
Capacity building for youth in rural regions.
2026 Projects 8 Catalyst Seed Grants Open #

PRDF 2026 — Applications Open

Open
Deadline: 30 June 2026 at 23h59 local time of lead institution | Awards announced: August 2026
Up to 8 projects funded (4 Africa-led, 4 Australia-led), maximum AUD 10,000 per project. Winners presented at the AAUN Forum in Perth, 1–2 September 2026.

Environment, climate, and the energy transition

Environment
Priority Theme 1
Collaborative projects addressing environment, climate adaptation, and energy transition challenges shared by Africa and Australia.

Equality, security, and social cohesion

Equality
Priority Theme 2
Research that strengthens social cohesion, advances equality, and addresses security challenges across the network.

Public health and human wellbeing

Public Health
Priority Theme 3
Projects improving health outcomes and human wellbeing across African and Australian communities.

Sustainable food and water systems

Food Systems
Priority Theme 4
Innovative research on food security, sustainable agriculture, and water resource management.

Artificial intelligence and the digital revolution

Technology
Priority Theme 5
Projects exploring AI governance, digital infrastructure, and the opportunities and ethical considerations of the digital revolution.

Supporting Documentation

Resources
Applications and guidelines

Contact for Enquiries

Contact
Australia: Ms Ruvi Goredema — aus-secretariat@aaun.network  |  Africa: Dr Sussy Munialo — africa-secretariat@aaun.network

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