Young talents from Africa
ENI AWARD 2017
Debut in Research: Young Talents from Africa Prize
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Eni is one of the most important, vertically integrated energy companies in the world. It operates in the oil,
natural gas, electricity production, engineering, construction and petrochemical products sectors. It is
constantly committed in growing in research, production and transportation activities, as well as in the
conversion and trading of hydrocarbons. Eni is also involved in several scientific research projects on
renewable energies, particularly in the major areas of biofuels and solar energy. Operating in about eighty‐
five countries in a responsible way towards its stakeholders, Eni invests in people and their empowerment,
and it takes part to development through the integration of social, environmental and cultural issues in the
growth process, in full respect of rights and diversities. From 2008 Eni has been offering the Eni award,
aimed to promote and award research and technological innovation in the fields of energy and the
environment.
1) Aims
The Debut in Research: Young Talents from Africa Prize constitutes one of the six sections of the Eni award,
composed by the Energy Transition, Energy Frontiers, Advanced Environmental Solutions and the Young
Researcher of the Year Prizes, together with the Recognition at Innovation Eni.
The purpose of the Debut in Research: Young Talents from Africa Prize is to help new generations of African
researchers to emerge, offering them the opportunity to attend a post‐graduate course (e.g. a doctoral
course) in cooperation with prestigious Italian universities and research institutes and supporting their
research and innovation on the various scientific topics promoted by Eni award.
2) Object of the Prizes
Candidates must own a Master’s degree, a postgraduate diploma or any equivalent academic qualification
granting access to a doctoral course in an Italian university. The theses must have been defended at an
African University during the same year of the annual Official Announcement, or in the precedent year.
The Prize is reserved to students graduated in an African university or of African citizenship, coming from
one of the 58 African countries listed in the World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision, compiled by the
United Nations1.
1
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad,
Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire , Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea,
Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea‐Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali,
Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Réunion, Rwanda, Saint Helena,
São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland,
Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Page 1 Eni award 2017 – Debut in Research: Young Talents from Africa Prize
The thesis must be submitted together with a research proposal to be developed during the process of the
post‐graduate course and in connection with the Eni award main topics.
The research project must – in a country, in an African region or in the whole African continent – be focused
on the following aspects: expected energy and environmental benefits; project tangible prospects and
applicability; potential socio‐economic impact resulting from the project.
3) The Prizes
Each of the two winners will be awarded with a scholarship for the attendance of a post‐graduate course
(e.g. a doctoral course) in an Italian university or research institute with a solid reputation on the above‐
mentioned topics. It will be also possible to propose a non‐Italian thesis advisor, collaborating with the
Italian university or research institute hosting the student.
The Prizes will be assigned to the winning candidates, proclaimed by the Organizing Committee within May
2017.
4) Application procedures and deadlines
Applications for the Debut in Research: Young Talents from Africa must be presented and guaranteed by
Professors, Directors of Department, Faculty Deans and Chancellors of universities and polytechnic
universities, or by researchers of research institutes operating in the specific ‐ or similar ‐ fields for which
the Prize is awarded.
Self‐candidatures will not be considered.
The deadline for the presentation of the candidatures to the Debut in Research: Young Talents from Africa
falls on November 25, 2016 before and no later than 5 p.m. CET ‐ Central European Time. Please note that,
after 5 p.m. CET of November, 11, the Scientific Secretariat won’t create new accounts, in order to provide
the most suitable assistance to the already registered Candidatures, within the deadline. Two weeks after
the November 25 deadline, the Scientific Secretariat will provide the Candidates with formal confirmation,
by email, for the acceptance of their Candidature.
The Candidature application forms are available on the www.eni.com/eni‐award website and must be sent
as follows:
1.