Apply for MBB Grant Batch 2
Apply for MBB Grant Batch 2
Innovating frugally
Applications is open, see mbbgrant.com for all the information contained in this post and more.
For this batch of the MBB grant, Dr. Saad Bhamla, a world expert on frugal science/tech at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States, has indicated an interest in mentoring a grantee in the science and tech track if the project pitched is excellent.
Background
MBB microgrant program will give at least N300,000 grants to at least two teams/individuals in Nigeria to do something impactful.
MBB grant was started by Olatomiwa Bifarin. The grant is named after his late grandmother Mary Babatola Bifarin, who was a maternity nurse from southwestern Nigeria.
This personal grantmaking endeavor is an experiment to foster innovative thinking amongst young people in Nigeria. To foster foresight and responsibility by taking on challenging problems in society.
Olatomiwa Bifarin has started the fund with a donation of $1,000. As a Post-doc, who still live on a stipend and doing so right in the middle of Atlanta, he wishes he could do better.
Last year he wrote about his Ph.D. journey in a memoir essay. If you have read it and found it helpful - and if you can - kindly consider donating to the fund here. If you like to be a sponsor anyway, that's also fine!
There are two categories of projects Bifarin is looking to fund.
Science & Technology Track
This track is open to any project that espouses the philosophy of frugal innovation. With up to 133 million Nigerians living in poverty, this means little or no access to electricity, healthcare, and drinking water. We ought to be thinking aggressively about how to innovate with scarce resources. I recommend all applicants to read my essay on frugal innovation to inspire ideas on suitable projects, in addition to the resource I provide on frugal innovation examples.
Dr. Saad Bhamla, a world expert on frugal science at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States, has indicated an interest in helping mentor a grantee. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a world-class engineer.
Clinical Track
This track is open to Nursing students or interns. This track does not require frugal innovation, however, projects that embody the philosophy of frugal innovation will have priority. I recommend all applicants to read my essay on frugal innovation to inspire ideas on suitable projects, in addition to the resource I provide on frugal innovation examples.
FAQ
Are there required academic qualifications?
See details in the clinical/nursing track.
For the science and tech track, there are no academic qualifications. However, if you do have relevant academic qualifications for your project, be sure to state that in your application.
Will the winning projects be made public?
Yes. For transparency purposes and to magnify the positive impact.
How do I know the outcome of my application?
Only successful grant applicants will be contacted.
What does your ideal winning team/individual/project look like (especially for the science and tech track)?
If it’s a team, it will be ideal if it’s multidisciplinary. You could also be a lone wolf. Fine with me. The (potential) impact of your project is the most critical factor. I recommend all applicants to read my essay on frugal innovation to inspire ideas on suitable projects, in addition to the resource I provide on frugal innovation examples.
My project is a little complicated, and I will need more that N300,000?
Submit your application anyways. If it's terribly good. We might be able to find a way around that. Otherwise, preference goes to around N300k
What is the age limit?
Preference will go to applicants who are 35 years old or younger.
How will I get the money?
Ideally in two or more chunks (directly in your bank accounts or via Paypal), you will need to give project update to initiate each round of collection.
I have additional questions, how do I contact you?
Send an e-mail to mbbifaringrant@gmail.com
How can I get updates about this project?
Here on my blog. I am on Twitter, Instagram. I will share the updates on these Platforms.
What is the time frame for the project completion?
None. However, preference will be given to shorter projects (without sacrificing potentially impactful ideas).
Previous winner
Note that there was no requirement for frugal innovation for last year applicants.
Blog about 2021 (Batch 1) MBB grant winners.
Zoom chat with MBB grant 2021 winners.
MBB Grant Documentary: Digitizing Local Markets and Cancer patient care.
A Grantee talks about his Experience Applying for an MBB Grant.
A Clinical Nurse talks about her Cancer Care Project
Apply
Link to apply