GRANTS FOR AFRICAN RESEARCHERS

The Research and Innovation Directorate (RID) is pleased to inform the University community that applications are now open for the Grants for African Researchers. The research is an initiative of Education Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA), VVOB – Education for Development, and Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), under the  African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL), with funding from Mastercard Foundation.

This call for research grants is part of ACSL’s ongoing efforts to strengthen school leadership in Africa and will support research that is context-specific, policy-relevant, and capable of driving meaningful improvements in leadership preparation, professional development, and systemic transformation across African education systems. The ACSL School Leadership Research Grants aim to enhance the capacity of researchers in Africa to undertake rigorous, policy-relevant studies that inform leadership practice and contribute to the national and continental education agenda. 

Eligibility:

• African researchers based in Africa with a PhD and affiliated with an African university, research institution, government department/ministry, or other recognised research or knowledge organisation are encouraged to apply. Experienced researchers without a PhD may also apply, provided they demonstrate a strong research track record.
• Proposals that demonstrate collaboration with early-career researchers, include women researchers, involve practitioners such as head teachers or middle-tier educators, and/or reflect geographical diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.
• The proposed research must clearly align with one or more of the priority school leadership themes identified in the concept note.
• Eligible countries: Tanzania (Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar) and other African countries.

Grant Amounts:

Up to USD 15,000 for descriptive action research grants with a 12-month duration

Up to USD 35,000 for Comparative action research grants with a 24-month duration

Application submission deadline

11 January 2026 at 11:59 pm GMT

For more information on the call, kindly visit https://essa-africa.org/node/2054

Interested applicants should write to rid-grantsmgt@ug.edu.gh  with rocran@ug.edu.gh  in copy to indicate their intention to apply for institutional support and proposal development guidance.