Applications are currently being accepted for the Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) Towards Leadership Programme 2026/2027. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About AREF Towards Leadership Programme
The AREF Towards Leadership programme aims to empower talented, emerging scientists in Africa to compete successfully for UKRI MRC and other major funding opportunities in global health research. Together we are investing in talented African scientists in Africa, enhancing their global health research and leadership potential.
Benefits of AREF Towards Leadership Programme
- The costs of the workshops and associated accommodation and travel of selected nominees will be met by MRC and AREF.
AREF Towards Leadership Programme Requirements
- You are a citizen of a country in Africa.
- You are currently employed in Africa by a recognised university and/or specialist research institution.
- You are an early career researcher, having completed your research education and are now at the early stages of leading your own research group.
- You will hold a research doctorate (PhD/DPhil/MD) from a recognised academic institution OR you have a medical/clinical qualification PLUS a research-relevant Master’s degree, both usually within the last 10 years. If it has been longer than 10 years since your last degree, please explain in your application why you should still be considered an early career researcher (i.e. caring responsibilities or career break/change impacting your research career).
- You are currently responsible for managing/supervising one or more research students and/or research staff members and are involved in building research collaborations.
- You demonstrate evidence of being at the early stages of leading a research team or being an active member of a research team conducting Global Health Research.
- A significant part of your current employee role is to develop and conduct health research.
- You already have experience in obtaining research funding (typically more than £50,000 but must be less than the combined value of £500,000).
Application Date and Process
- Click on the link to the application website to apply.
Application Deadline
08 September, 2026
Opportunity Application
View details of
AREF Towards Leadership Programme
Apply for AREF Towards Leadership Programme
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