The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) has officially opened applications for the Essential Grant-Writing Skills Programme 2026, a highly competitive and intensive online training programme designed for emerging African researchers working in health and biomedical sciences.
This unique programme is specifically tailored to help early-career African scientists develop the skills required to write competitive research proposals and fellowship applications capable of attracting international, regional, and national funding.
For researchers who are striving to transition toward research independence and secure major grants for impactful health research in Africa, this programme offers an invaluable opportunity to strengthen proposal development skills, understand funding expectations, and improve long-term research success.
About the AREF Essential Grant-Writing Skills Programme
The Essential Grant-Writing Skills Programme is a fully online professional development initiative created by the Africa Research Excellence Fund to strengthen Africa’s health research ecosystem.
The programme is designed for researchers who:
- Are in the early stages of their research careers
- Are actively involved in health or biomedical research
- Are seeking independent research funding
- Have secured smaller grants previously but need support to win larger competitive grants
The training focuses on equipping participants with practical grant-writing expertise and proposal development strategies that can significantly improve funding success rates.
Why This Programme Matters
One of the major barriers faced by researchers across Africa is limited access to structured grant-writing mentorship and proposal development training.
Many talented researchers possess excellent scientific ideas but struggle to:
- Develop compelling proposals
- Align applications with funder priorities
- Present research ideas effectively
- Prepare competitive budgets and project plans
- Navigate peer review expectations
AREF’s programme directly addresses these gaps by offering structured, practical, and interactive learning experiences.
Programme Aim
The programme aims to help talented African health researchers:
- Build high-level grant-writing skills
- Develop competitive fellowship and research proposals
- Improve understanding of international funding systems
- Increase success in securing research grants
- Strengthen long-term scientific leadership capacity in Africa
What Participants Will Learn
The programme covers a broad range of proposal development and research funding topics.
Core Training Areas
1. Developing Your Research Niche
Participants will learn how to:
- Define a unique research identity
- Position their work strategically
- Build a strong scientific profile
2. Formulating a Strong Research Question
The training explains how to:
- Identify impactful research problems
- Create compelling research objectives
- Develop fundable research questions
3. Understanding Funding Requirements
Researchers will gain insights into:
- What funders look for
- How grants are evaluated
- Common mistakes in applications
4. Writing in Plain English
The programme emphasizes:
- Clear scientific communication
- Simplifying complex ideas
- Writing persuasive applications
5. Writing Proposal Sections
Participants will receive guidance on:
- Project summaries
- Methodology sections
- Case for support
- Project descriptions
6. Budget and Project Planning
Researchers will learn:
- Budget preparation techniques
- Timeline development
- Project management strategies
7. Collaboration and Team Management
The programme also explores:
- Building research partnerships
- Managing collaborations effectively
- Team leadership principles
8. Peer Review Practice
Participants will:
- Learn how peer review works
- Review colleagues’ proposals
- Improve critical evaluation skills
9. Fellowship Interview Preparation
The training includes preparation for:
- Research fellowship interviews
- Communicating research impact
- Presenting confidently to funders
Programme Structure and Schedule
The programme is divided into two intensive online phases.
Phase One
7 – 11 September 2026
- Daily online sessions
- Time: 08:30 – 11:30 GMT
Phase Two
16 – 18 November 2026
- Daily online sessions
- Time: 08:30 – 11:30 GMT
Between the two phases, participants will complete:
- A mini grant proposal
- Peer-review exercises
- Independent proposal-writing assignments
Learning Format
The programme will be delivered entirely online through Zoom and includes:
- Interactive lectures
- Group discussions
- Online teamwork
- Offline subgroup assignments
- Preparatory exercises
- Proposal-writing activities
All sessions will be conducted in English.
What the Programme Does Not Cover
AREF clearly states that the programme will not focus on:
- Research ethics approval procedures
- Intellectual property management
- Completing specific funder application forms
- General research communication training
Additionally, facilitators will not directly write or edit participants’ personal grant proposals.
Participant Expectations
AREF expects selected participants to fully commit to the programme.
Mandatory Requirements
Participants must:
- Attend all online sessions
- Participate actively in discussions and exercises
- Complete preparatory reading and assignments
- Dedicate additional time to proposal writing
- Engage in peer-review activities
Failure to attend all sessions may result in participants not receiving a certificate of completion.
Technical Requirements
Applicants should ideally have:
- Reliable internet access
- A laptop or computer compatible with Zoom
- Ability to use a smartphone alongside Zoom sessions
AREF does not provide funding for internet access, equipment, or participant-related expenses.
Eligible Research Fields
AREF welcomes applications from researchers working in:
- Biomedicine
- Physiology and pharmacology
- Clinical sciences
- Epidemiology
- Mathematics and statistics
- Environmental health
- Veterinary science (“One Health”)
- Public health
- Mental health
- Behavioural sciences
- Data science for health
- Social and economic sciences
- Health policy and systems research
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must provide evidence that they:
- Are citizens of an African country
- Are early-career researchers
- Hold either:
- A PhD/DPhil/MD awarded on or after 1 January 2020
- OR a medical/clinical qualification plus a research-related Master’s degree awarded on or after 1 January 2020
- Are employed in Africa by:
- A recognized university
- A specialist research institution
- Are actively involved in health research
- Have not previously attended equivalent grant-writing training
- Do not already hold international grants totaling £250,000 or more
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Research achievements and outputs
- Potential to benefit from the training
- Long-term scientific vision
- Commitment to addressing African health challenges
- Ability to share acquired knowledge with others
- English language proficiency
AREF also promotes:
- Gender balance
- Language inclusivity
- Institutional diversity
No more than two participants will be selected from the same institution.
Application Deadline
22 May 2026
AREF aims to notify successful applicants by 8 July 2026.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must apply through the official AREF portal.
Applicants are required to:
- Register an account on the portal
- Access and complete the application form
- Review the application guidance and FAQs before submission
Apply HERE
Key Dates
Activity Date
Call Launch 27 April 2026
Application Deadline 22 May 2026
Notification of Outcome 8 July 2026
Final Thoughts
The AREF Essential Grant-Writing Skills Programme 2026 is more than just a training opportunity—it is a strategic investment in the future of African health research leadership.
For emerging scientists seeking to build competitive funding skills, strengthen proposal development expertise, and accelerate their research careers, this programme provides the mentorship, structure, and professional development necessary for long-term success.
Researchers committed to solving Africa’s pressing health challenges should strongly consider applying before the deadline.
For more information, visit the official website
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