PRDF 2025

2025 PRDF PROJECTS

The AAUN PRDF Program is an annual competitive seed funding that builds teams to address mutual Australian African research challenges in environment, climate and the energy transition, food and nutrition security, public health, or in related aspects of higher education and economic development. We are awarding eight catalyst seed grants this year. The winning award teams are shown in the list below.

Name of Project Principal Investigator(s) AAUN Partners  Non-AAUN Partners Research Area
Indigenous Knowledge and Green Innovation: Co-Creating Sustainable Cancer and Environmental Health Solutions from African Medicinal Plants Dr Nehemiah Latolla, PhD, Nelson Mandela University (ECR) University of Ghana, Curtin University, University of New South Wales Equality, security, and social cohesion
Laying the Foundations for Digital Mental Health: A Comparative Study of Emerging Models in Africa and Established Telehealth Systems in Australia Dr Sashah Mutasa, Edith Cowan University (ECR) Curtin University, Makerere University, University of Ghana, Walter Sisulu University
Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Revolution.
Public health and human well-being
Exploring Food Waste in School Meal Programs in Rwanda: A Pathway to Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems Dr Theogene Dusingizimana, University of Rwanda

University of Ghana, Curtin University, University of New South Wales

Sustainable food and water systems
Bridging Continents through Clean Energy: Australia-Africa Research on Electrochemical Materials A/Prof Manickam Minakshi, Murdoch University Edith Cowan University, University of New South Wales, University of Pretoria, University of Nairobi
Environment, Climate, and the Energy Transition
Predictive modelling of hydrochar from food waste for the adsorption of H2S from biogas Dr Naadhira Seedat, University of Pretoria (ECR) Makerere University, University of Botswana, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University
Environment, climate, and the energy transition
Building a collaborative team to improve chronic disease outcomes A/Prof  Elizabeth Thomas, Curtin University

University of Western Australia, University of Mauritius, University of Pretoria

University of Gondar, Victoria Hospital Mauritius, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Malawi, Harry Perkins Institute
Public health and human wellbeing
AI Governance in Africa and Australia: Opportunities, security, and ethical considerations Dr Deirdre Rule, University of Cape Town (ECR) University of Pretoria, University of Mauritius, University of Western Australia, University of New South Wales
Artificial intelligence and the digital revolution AND Equality, security, and social cohesion
Empowering youth in rural regions through developing an educational sustainable energy Dr Gloria Odo, Murdoch University (ECR)

Makerere University, Curtin University, University of Rwanda