Overview of the Grants for African Researchers Initiative

If you are an African researcher committed to improving the quality, equity, and resilience of education across the continent, this is a major opportunity. The Grants for African Researchers programme is now accepting applications for two major funding categories:

– Up to $15,000 for Descriptive Action Research

– Up to $35,000 for Comparative Action Research

This funding targets research focused specifically on school leadership—a critical yet underexplored area in African education systems. The initiative is led by Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA), VVOB – Education for Development, and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). It forms part of the African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL) and is supported by the Mastercard Foundation.

Why These Grants for African Researchers Matter

Across Africa, school leadership research remains fragmented, limited, and often disconnected from policymaking. Many studies fail to address system-level needs, making it difficult to generate actionable insights that strengthen school leadership structures.

At the same time, African researchers frequently face inadequate access to funding, forcing many to rely on personal resources. The Grants for African Researchers initiative aims to tackle these gaps by building local capacity and generating context-specific, policy-relevant evidence that supports decision-making at multiple levels.

By investing in Africa-based scholars, the program strengthens indigenous knowledge systems, promotes equity in research funding, and accelerates the development of strong, home-grown education leadership practices.

Grant for African Researchers Categories and Funding Details

1. Descriptive Action Research Grants (Up to $15,000 each)

These grants support research exploring lived experiences, school leadership practices, and contextual factors shaping educational delivery.

– Tanzania (Mainland + Zanzibar): 10 grants available

– Other African countries: 15 grants available

2. Comparative Action Research Grants (Up to $35,000 each)

These grants fund cross-regional or cross-country comparisons to highlight differences, similarities, and policy lessons.

– Tanzania (Mainland + Zanzibar): 4 grants available

– Other African countries: 10 grants available

Eligibility Requirements for the Grants for African Researchers Initiative

Applicants must:

• Be African researchers based in Africa
• Hold a PhD, OR
• Be an experienced researcher without a PhD but able to demonstrate a strong research record
• Be affiliated with:
• An African university
• A recognised research institute
• A government department or ministry
• Any credible knowledge or research-producing organization

The Grants for African Researchers program strongly encourages proposals that:

• Involve early-career researchers
• Include women researchers
• Engage school practitioners such as head teachers or middle-level educators
• Demonstrate geographical and cultural diversity
• Research proposals must align with one or more of the priority school leadership themes outlined in the official concept note.

Application Timeline and Key Dates

Research Duration:

• 12 months for Descriptive Action Research
• 24 months for Comparative Action Research

Information Webinar:

• Tuesday, 2 December 2025
• Time: 12:00 pm–1:30 pm GMT / 3:00 pm–4:30 pm EAT