Call for R&D in E-Mobility: Testing and piloting sustainable transport in Ghana and Uganda
Siemens Stiftung launches a new call for research and development (R&D) to validate and implement products and business models in the e-mobility sector. The call is open for enterprises operative in the e-mobility value chain in Ghana and Uganda (or related sectors relevant to e-mobility). 3-5 enterprises with a product or service in the e-mobility sector in the two countries will conduct R&D projects for 12 months to develop effective market-based solutions and increase the social and ecological impact of e-mobility. The candidates will support Siemens Stiftung’s e-mobility program in getting insights on one (or more) of the following topics by conducting field-based R&D:
This call has expired.
The call has been closed on 23 February 2024.
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- Market Gaps:
Development of a market–tested solution (product, service, business model) from the battery, charging/swapping or vehicle and technology value chain (or related value chains relevant to the e-mobility sector) that is filling a gap in the e-mobility sector. - Social and Ecological Impact:
Design of a product, service, or business model from the battery, charging/swapping or vehicle and technology value chain (or related value chains relevant to the e-mobility sector) to increase the social and ecological impact. - Ecosystem Services: Development and piloting of relevant “support structures” (e.g., Hubs, Labs, recycling industry, financing) that are essential for the scaling and uptake of e-mobility solutions.
- Market Gaps:
Development of a market–tested solution (product, service, business model) from the battery, charging/swapping or vehicle and technology value chain (or related value chains relevant to the e-mobility sector) that is filling a gap in the e-mobility sector. - Social and Ecological Impact:
Design of a product, service, or business model from the battery, charging/swapping or vehicle and technology value chain (or related value chains relevant to the e-mobility sector) to increase the social and ecological impact. - Ecosystem Services: Development and piloting of relevant “support structures” (e.g., Hubs, Labs, recycling industry, financing) that are essential for the scaling and uptake of e-mobility solutions.
- Registered and operative in Ghana or Uganda
- Market experience in Ghana or Uganda
- A market-tested prototype which attracted first users and clients
- Demonstrate the social and/or ecological impact
- Operative in the battery, charging/swapping or electric vehicle and technology value chain
- No pending litigations against the enterprise or its management team
Female-led enterprises, enterprises with female founders, and enterprises addressing specific gender challenges are encouraged to apply. The foundation conducts a feasibility and eligibility check of all applications. In case your proposal addresses essential market gaps, develops the social and/or ecological impact of an innovative solution, or researches a relevant ecosystem service, Siemens Stiftung will get in contact with you and schedule an interview. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to elaborate and finalize their R&D projects (including a project plan, milestones, and timeline). The winning candidates will be selected after a round of final interviews.
Siemens Stiftung will not work with entities that are:
- Companies that currently have an active contract with Siemens Stiftung
- Expecting to receive an unrestricted grant
Selected applicants will receive:
- Selected applicants will receive a service contract value of min. USD 30,000 and up to USD 75,000 for max. 12 months (project durations of 15 months are possible, but need to be justified in detail),
- Joint applications of more than one company focusing on two or more solutions (product/service/business model) are eligible; such candidates can apply for up to USD 110,000 for a duration of max. 18 months.
The selected applicants are expected to deliver a report demonstrating the applied research methodology, results, financial sustainability of the tested solution, and main learnings from the R&D project (Any potentially sensitive data or intellectual property rights can be considered during the contracting process) latest by 3 months after the end of the project.
Interested candidates are asked to submit the following documents using their own format:
- Project idea for an R&D project (problem/challenge, proposed methodology, financial sustainability strategy, and expected project outcome);
(no longer than 2 pages in Word or 8 slides in PowerPoint).
- Brief budget (staff, material, and other costs) and expected project duration
- Proof of an available prototype
(including photos, protocols, or certification of local registration) - Proof for initial users and clients
(e.g. financial statement of the previous 12 months) - Registration certificate
- Shareholder information
- CVs of the R&D team.
Application process
Siemens Stiftung offers you the opportunity to discuss your R&D project idea in an individual session before your final submission.
Please reach out to e-mobility@siemens-stiftung.org to schedule an individual session with the e-mobility team.
As part of the application process, Siemens Stiftung offers you the opportunity to take part in a Human Centred Design (HCD) workshop to offer you the resources and support you need to develop strong project proposals and discuss your R&D project idea in an individual session before your final submission.
If, at any stage of the application or evaluation process, the applicant considers that a mistake has been made, the evaluators have acted unfairly or failed to comply with the rules, and the applicant´s interests have been prejudiced as a result, the following complaint mechanism is available. A complaint should be drawn up in English and submitted by email to e-mobility@siemens-stiftung.org. Please add “Complaint R&D in E-Mobility” to the subject of the email and include:
- Contact details
- The subject of the complaint
- Information and evidence regarding the alleged breach
- Sustainable business models with social impact – Our social entrepreneurship working area
- Sustainable mobility solutions in sub-Saharan Africa – Our commitment to e-mobility at a glance
- E-Mobility 4 Impact Call 2024 from Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania.
- Call for research and development (R&D) in Kenia 2023