The Research & Development Stream targets two applicant types; individual Master’s & PhD researchers, and universities & accredited research institutions in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, mineral processing, metallurgy and related fields at Nigerian institutions.
Eligiblity Criteria
What EMERGE looks for in applicants.
Master’s and PhD researchers (academic researchers).
University departments and research institutions in Nigeria.
Applicable disciplines include geology, geosciences, applied geology, geophysics, geochemistry, mining and mineral engineering, mineral processing, and metallurgical and materials engineering.
What we fund
What costs are covered by EMERGE.
Fieldwork expenses including travel to and from field research locations.
Accommodation and subsistence.
Consumables and expendable research materials.
Analytical and laboratory testing costs.
Journal publication and related costs.
What we do not fund
What expenses are not covered by EMERGE.
Purchase of non-essential or general-purpose equipment (e.g., compasses, hand tools), unless specifically approved.
Purchase of computer hardware and software not directly required for research activities.
Living expenses for non-project personnel (e.g., family members).
Attendance at conferences or events not directly linked to dissemination of project results.
Travel undertaken for purposes unrelated to approved research activities.
Reimbursement for work completed prior to grant approval.
University administrative overheads, including tuition fees.
Application requirements
What applicants need to provide to submit a complete application.
For Post-graduate students in Nigeria – (Master’s and PhD researchers):
Proof of enrolment.
Valid means of identification (e.g., National ID or International Passport).
Research proposal, including objectives, methodology, workplan, and budget.
Letter of support from academic supervisor or qualified referee.
Evidence of institutional affiliation (e.g., university department).
Estimated research budget and funding plan (including any co-funding, where applicable).
For University Departments & Research Institutions in Nigeria:
Proof of institutional accreditation or registration.
Institutional or research capacity profile.
Detailed research proposal, including objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
Principal investigator details and research team profiles.
Institutional approval confirming commitment to undertake the research.
Research budget and implementation plan.
Monitoring and reporting framework.
EMERGE Grant Manual
Download the EMERGE Grant Manual to learn more about the funding streams, eligibility criteria, and application process.
What EMERGE funds, who can apply, and how the process works.
About the Programme
What is the SMDF-EMERGE Mining Grant Programme?
The SMDF-EMERGE Mining Grant Programme, the Early-Stage Mineral Exploration & Research Grant Endowment (EMERGE), is a grant programme of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), an agency of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. It was created to unlock Nigeria's mineral potential by helping promising projects move past the early exploration stage, where most stall for want of capital, reliable data, and technical capacity. EMERGE provides catalytic grants, technical support, and research funding to advance early-stage exploration, critical-minerals development and processing, and geoscience research, building a pipeline of investment-ready, bankable projects.
Who is implementing EMERGE?
EMERGE is an initiative of the Solid Minerals Development Fund, an agency of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, implemented in partnership with public and private sector stakeholders. SMDF owns the programme and ensures it stays aligned with national priorities. PwC serves as the Programme Administration Partner, managing the application process, including intake, processing, and eligibility screening, and providing administrative support across the programme.
Funding Streams
What funding streams does EMERGE offer?
EMERGE delivers funding through three complementary streams:
Exploration. Grants for grassroots and early-stage exploration, covering geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys, and drilling and assaying toward a maiden resource.
Critical Minerals. Targeted exploration of Nigeria's critical minerals (lithium, tin, tantalum, nickel, cobalt and rare earths), plus support for innovative processing technologies that move minerals up the value chain.
Research & Development. Grants for applied geoscience and mineral-processing research that strengthen Nigeria's geological knowledge base.
Which stream should I apply under?
Apply under the stream that matches your primary activity. Early-stage exploration companies apply under Exploration; companies whose primary or secondary target is a critical mineral, or who are developing processing technologies for them, apply under Critical Minerals; and universities, research institutions, and Master's and PhD researchers apply under Research & Development.
Eligibility
Who is eligible to apply?
EMERGE is open to three groups: exploration companies; Nigerian universities and accredited research institutions; and Master's and PhD researchers at Nigerian institutions. The detailed requirements differ by group, as set out below.
What are the specific requirements for exploration companies?
To qualify, a company must:
be a non-producing, early-stage exploration company that has already undertaken some prospecting;
be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and tax-compliant, with a valid Tax Identification Number (TIN);
hold a valid exploration licence issued by the Mining Cadastre Office;
have credible geological data and a clearly defined exploration work programme;
field a qualified technical team and demonstrate sound corporate governance; and
align with responsible-mining principles.
What are the requirements for universities, research institutions, and Master's and PhD researchers?
Master's and PhD researchers need:
proof of enrolment confirming postgraduate (Master's or PhD) status;
valid identification;
a research proposal;
a letter of support from a supervisor or referee;
evidence of institutional affiliation.
Universities and research institutions need:
proof of accreditation (for example, NUC accreditation);
