The Research and Innovation Directorate is pleased to announce the 2026 call for applications for the University of Ghana Graduate Research Fund (UGGRF). Established in 2024 by the University Management, this fund aims to provide partial financial support to MPhil and PhD students for thesis fieldwork and data collection across all disciplines at the University of Ghana.

Applicant eligibility criteria:

MPhil Candidate

  • Must be currently enrolled in the first year of an MPhil programme
  • Must have completed the first semester of MPhil part one with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Must not hold any concurrent internal or external funding at the time of application.

 PhD Candidate

  • Must be enrolled in a doctoral programme
  • Must have completed and passed all first-year courses and the 2nd-year first-semester comprehensive examination with a minimum CGPA of 3.0. and be about to start the third year of study
  • Must not hold any concurrent internal or external funding at the time of application.

The proposed research should demonstrate advanced knowledge in any of the following UG research priorities:

  • Infectious and Non-Communicable Diseases
  • Food Production and Processing, including improved approaches to breeding 
  • Trans-disciplinary Research into Climate Change Adaptation
  • Development Policy, Poverty Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Politics, Social-Cultural Change, Mobility and Development
  • Creative Arts, Education and Communication, and Information Literacy
  • Fourth Industrial Revolution Tools (Artificial Intelligence, data science, machine learning, digital transformation, etc.) 

 The proposal must demonstrate significant contributions in two key areas:

  1. Contribution to addressing developmental challenges in Ghana or issues faced by industries and society.
    1. Contribution towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and/or the African Union Agenda 2063.

The applicant’s research proposal will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Scientific merit of the research.
  • Description of the research plan.
  • Budget and budget justification.
  • Expected impact of the research.

Grant Amount 

Up to GHS 7,000 for MPhil Students

Up to GHS 15,000 for PhD Students

Award Duration

MPhil    - Maximum of 10 months

PhD        - Maximum of 15 months

The following documents must be attached as part of the application:

  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Budget Justification 
  • Work/Implementation plan.
  • Academic transcript and copy of degree certificates.
  • Proof of current registration 
  • Copy of admission letter and
  • A support letter from the applicant’s thesis Supervisor/Head of Department

Applications must be submitted using this link https://apply.ug.edu.gh/ugremap/student/uggrf/start

Information Session:

Please indicate your intention to participate in the UGGRF information session on July 7, 2026, at 10 a.m. This session will provide details about funding opportunities, application requirements, and selection criteria.

Click here https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/R7XsnEDEuA to register. 

Application Due Date: Not later than Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM 

For further enquiries on this application, you may contact RID at rid-uggrf@ug.edu.gh  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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