Research Funding for African Scholars
Discover grants, fellowships and financial support for your research projects across all disciplines.
Browse Funding by Type
Current Funding Opportunities
Wellcome Trust African Research Fellowships
For early-career African researchers in health
Funding: £300,000 over 3 years
Supports African researchers to establish independent research careers.
AU Continental PhD Scholarships
For PhD studies at African universities
Funding: Full tuition + Stipend
African Union initiative to build research capacity across the continent.
DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarships
For Masters and PhD studies in Africa
Funding: Tuition + Monthly allowance
German-funded scholarships for study at selected African institutions.
NRF-SANSA Space Science Grants
For African space science research
Funding: Up to R1.5 million
South African National Research Foundation funding for space-related research.
African Research Funding Landscape
Funding Distribution by Discipline (2024)
- Health Sciences: 35% of funding
- Engineering & Tech: 25% of funding
- Agriculture: 15% of funding
- Basic Sciences: 12% of funding
- Social Sciences: 13% of funding
Top Funding Organizations
| Organization | Type | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| African Union Commission | Government | Pan-African |
| Wellcome Trust | Foundation | Health Research |
| DAAD Germany | International | Higher Education |
| National Research Foundations | Government | National Priorities |
| Mastercard Foundation | Corporate | Youth & Education |
Data from African research funding databases
Successful Grant Application Timeline
6-12 Months Before Deadline
Identify suitable funding opportunities and carefully review the guidelines and evaluation criteria.
4-6 Months Before
Develop your research concept and identify potential collaborators. Begin drafting your proposal.
2-3 Months Before
Complete full draft and seek feedback from colleagues. Refine your budget and justification.
1 Month Before
Finalize all documents, obtain institutional approvals, and prepare submission materials.
After Submission
Follow up on review process. If unsuccessful, request feedback and revise for next submission.
Funding Success Stories
From PhD to Major Grant Winner
How Dr. Kamau secured $500,000 for his renewable energy research in Kenya.
Read Story
Building a Research Career in Nigeria
Prof. Adeleke's journey from postdoc to leading a well-funded research group.
Read Story
International Collaboration Success
How Dr. Abdullahi partnered with European researchers on a €1.2M project.
Read StoryGet Personalized Funding Recommendations
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