MTN Academic Research and Development Innovation Challenge 2019 (MTN ARDIC) for Postgraduate Students | Opportunities For Africans

Application Deadline: October 14th 2019

The MTN Academic Research Development and Innovation Challenge (MTN ARDIC) is an end-to-end support system where selected students would translate their ideas into solutions through a seamless access to applicable tools, data, platform and hands-on mentoring.

The Initiative

MTN
will be hosting an exclusive launch of the event to connect with other
organizations supporting MTN’s mission to inspire young Nigerian to
become entrepreneurs and foster their journey. Students, entrepreneurs
and relevant stakeholders are invited to attend the 3 regional pitching
events to pitch for the chance to win.

At the end of the challenge, MTN would provide the top 6 well-motivated Masters/PhD researchers who want to translate their research ideas into high-impact innovations with enabling platforms, APIs, data, training, mentorship and 6 months acceleration with Seedstars to further develop the ideas towards commercialization.

Requirements:

To be considered for selection in the MTNN ARDIC, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a registered current postgraduate
(Masters or Doctorate) student of an accredited Nigerian university or
research institute.

• Must have received confirmation from faculty and commenced research in one of the focus areas below.

• Must be interested in applying the findings
from his/her research to solve practical socio-economic challenges in
Nigeria.

• Must provide evidence of rightful ownership of the research topic/idea submitted for consideration.

• Must agree to sign a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) to be drawn between relevant parties (MTN and other
Implementing Partners) at relevant stages of the challenge.

• Must have commenced and been studying the chosen
research area for at least 8 months. Students who have completed their
research study but are yet to graduate from their universities are also
eligible to apply.

Qualifying Research Areas

ECONOMIC & COMMERCIAL FOCUS

INNOVATION FOR HIGH SOCIAL IMPACT

THE PRIZE

MTN partnered with Seedstars to provide 6 months virtual acceleration to the top 6 projects pitching at our regional pitching events.

MTN
will provide N1N to the winners as well as enabling platforms, APIs,
data, training, mentorship to further develop the ideas towards
commercialization.

6 MONTHS ACCELERATION

Seedstars Investment Readiness Program

The
Investment Readiness program is a flexible, tech and data centered
accelerator designed to support startups with global expertise and
insights.

For More Information: