The Network of Centres of Excellence is made up of outstanding scientific and technological institutions that are willing and able to make their facilities available to scientists and engineers from developing countries, especially from Africa.

The selection of the Centres of Excellence is submitted to the Steering Committee of the project, which is composed of eminent figures from the scientific and international community.

Selected centres should have the following characteristics:

• considerable experience in research and development activities;
  
• demonstrated capacity to mobilize science and technology for addressing local development issues;
  
• special focus on areas considered as crucial in tackling development challenges, such as biotechnologies and ICTs;
  
• high-profile publication record;
  
• specific experience in training activities open to visiting scholars from overseas.

The activities organized within the framework of the Network of Centres of Excellence are based on "cost-sharing partnerships" between UNCTAD and its partners. Therefore, selected centres should be committed to contributing a reasonable amount of their own resources in support of these activities, by providing tuition-free training and all the necessary research facilities.

If you wish to join the Network of Centres of Excellence or simply inquire for more information, please contact us.