The Research and Innovation Directorate (RID) is pleased to inform the University community of a funding opportunity under the Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) Research Development Fellowship (RDF) Programme 2026/27. This fellowship is designed to support emerging African researchers working on important human health challenges to strengthen their research skills, leadership capacity, and international collaborations through a structured fellowship placement.

Fellowship Support
Successful applicants will receive:

• Up to GBP 47,000 in fellowship support.
• A 3 to 9-month placement at a leading research institution in the UK, Europe, or Africa.
• Additional support at the home institution before and after the placement.

Aim of the Fellowship
The fellowship seeks to:

• Strengthen technical and leadership skills of early-career African researchers.
• Support development of innovative and impactful health research.
• Foster mentorship, collaborations, and professional networks.
• Build long-term research capacity within African institutions.

 Eligibility
Applicants should:

• Be early-career, research-active postdoctoral scientists or clinicians;
• Hold relevant higher qualifications in a health-related field;
• Be nationals of an African country;
• Be employed by an eligible African institution; and
• Be working on important human health challenges relevant to Africa.

 Application Deadline
8 May 2026 at 13:00 GMT

For full call details and application information, kindly see the attached document or visit: https://africaresearchexcellencefund.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-27-RDF-Scheme-Information.pdf

RID encourages eligible early-career researchers in biomedical sciences, public health, clinical sciences, and related health research fields to explore this opportunity. Interested applicants are kindly requested to inform RID of their intention to apply to enable institutional guidance and support. Please email rid-grantsmgt@ug.edu.gh, with jobappiah@ug.edu.gh in copy.