$5,000 Research Grant for African Scholars: CAPSI Adɔyɛ Research Associate Programme 2026 Now Open

Researchers, academics, PhD candidates, and practitioners across Africa now have an exciting opportunity to secure a $5,000 research grant through the Adɔyɛ Research Associate Programme, an initiative of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) at the Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

The programme is seeking applications from African scholars and researchers interested in advancing knowledge on African feminist leadership, women’s philanthropy, social investment, feminist funding models, women-led institutions, and climate philanthropy.

Successful applicants will join a growing network of affiliated researchers contributing to scholarly and policy-oriented knowledge on women, philanthropy, and social investment in Africa while receiving funding to conduct original research.

About the Adɔyɛ Research Associate Programme

Adɔyɛ, meaning “Love in Action,” is a flagship programme of CAPSI dedicated to recognizing, understanding, amplifying, and supporting the role of women in philanthropy across Africa.

The programme builds on CAPSI’s mission to develop a new generation of African researchers, academics, and experts through:

• Research and publications
• Academic programmes
• Knowledge-sharing initiatives
• Policy engagement
• Scholarly collaborations
• Convenings and networking opportunities

Adɔyɛ embraces a broad understanding of women’s philanthropy, including:

• Everyday and community-based giving
• Civic and nonprofit engagement
• High-net-worth philanthropy
• Professional and academic contributions to philanthropy

The programme also adopts a pan-African perspective that includes the African diaspora and women from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities.

Grant Value

Selected Research Associates will receive:

• A grant of $5,000 USD to conduct their proposed research project

In addition to financial support, researchers will gain access to:

• Academic collaboration opportunities
• Research seminars
• Knowledge-sharing engagements
• Scholarly networking platforms
• Visibility through CAPSI’s research ecosystem

Programme Objective

The Adɔyɛ Research Associate Programme seeks to strengthen African scholarship and knowledge production on women, philanthropy, and social investment.

The initiative supports CAPSI’s Research Strategic Plan (2025–2027) and aims to:

• Expand research on women in African philanthropy
• Generate policy-relevant evidence
• Strengthen academic contributions to philanthropy studies
• Support emerging and established African scholars
• Advance thought leadership on gender and social investment

Researchers will contribute original work that informs academic debates, public policy, development practice, and philanthropic strategies across Africa.

Research Themes

Applicants must submit research proposals aligned with one of four thematic pillars.

1. African Feminist Leadership, Ethics and Power

This theme explores how African women leaders influence philanthropy, social investment, and development through feminist leadership approaches.

Potential research areas include:

• Feminist leadership models
• Governance and accountability
• Decision-making and resource allocation
• Power dynamics and institutional transformation
• Women’s leadership in impact investing
• Decolonizing philanthropy
• Digital philanthropy
• Artificial intelligence and philanthropic governance

Research under this theme should provide practical insights for philanthropic institutions, policymakers, and development practitioners.

2. African Women in Philanthropy, Social Investment and Long-Term Systemic Change

This pillar examines how women’s giving practices and social investment activities contribute to sustainable development and structural transformation.

Potential areas of study include:

• Community giving models
• Women’s philanthropic agency
• Collective solidarity initiatives
• Impact investing
• Catalytic funding
• Social investment for development
• Women’s contributions to economic inclusion

Researchers are encouraged to investigate how women are shaping more equitable and transformative development pathways across Africa.

3. Feminist Funding and Women-Led Philanthropic Institutions and Social Enterprises

This theme focuses on how funding flows through women-led institutions and organizations.

Areas of interest include:

• Feminist funding models
• Resource mobilization
• Women-led social enterprises
• Funding ecosystems
• Access to capital
• Sustainability models
• Organizational resilience
• Regulatory environments
• Impact investing for women-led enterprises
• Digital finance innovations

Research should offer actionable recommendations for funders, policymakers, investors, and women-led organizations.

4. Women, Philanthropy, Social Investment and Climate Philanthropy

Climate action and gender equity are increasingly interconnected, making this a particularly relevant area of study.

Potential topics include:

• Climate philanthropy
• Climate justice
• Gender-responsive climate finance
• Renewable energy investments
• Sustainable agriculture
• Water security
• Environmental governance
• Climate resilience initiatives
• Women-led climate enterprises
• Community-based environmental management

Researchers are encouraged to examine how women contribute to climate solutions and environmental sustainability across Africa.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility is open to African citizens with demonstrated research experience.

Applicants may include:

• Academic researchers
• University lecturers
• PhD candidates
• Early-career scholars
• Independent researchers
• Civil society practitioners
• Nonprofit professionals
• Philanthropy experts
• Social investment specialists

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Requirements

Interested applicants must submit:

1. Research Proposal (2–3 Pages)

The proposal should include:

• Proposed research title
• Problem statement
• Research objectives
• Methodology
• Expected contribution

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Applicants should provide a comprehensive CV highlighting their academic and professional experience.

3. Writing or Publication Sample

A sample demonstrating research and writing capabilities must be included.

Expected Deliverables

Successful Research Associates will be required to produce:

1. Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

Researchers must submit one high-quality academic article suitable for publication.

2. Policy Brief or Practitioner Note

A practical output translating research findings into recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.

All outputs must:

• Demonstrate academic rigor
• Offer policy relevance
• Provide practical significance
• Acknowledge CAPSI as an affiliate institution

Responsibilities of Research Associates

Selected researchers will:

• Conduct independent, high-quality research
• Participate in seminars and research engagements
• Engage in knowledge-sharing activities
• Contribute to scholarly collaboration
• Support CAPSI’s research agenda
• Strengthen African scholarship on philanthropy and social investment

Validation Workshop

Before final submission, researchers will participate in a validation workshop designed to strengthen the quality of commissioned papers.

The workshop will:

• Facilitate peer review and feedback
• Encourage scholarly dialogue
• Strengthen research outputs
• Promote collaboration among researchers

The event will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing participation both online and in person to ensure accessibility across Africa and the diaspora.

Important Dates

• Call Launch: 3 May 2026
• Application Deadline: 10 July 2026 at 23:59
• Shortlisting: 17 July 2026
• Selection Announcement: 21 July 2026
• First Draft Submission: 1 October 2026
• Second Draft and Policy Brief Submission: 25 October 2026
• Final Outputs Due: 10 November 2026

How to Apply

Click here for more about this opportunity

Click here to apply

Why You Should Apply

This programme provides more than funding. It offers an opportunity to contribute to a growing body of African scholarship on gender, philanthropy, social investment, and development.

Researchers will gain financial support, scholarly visibility, networking opportunities, and the chance to influence policy and practice while helping shape important conversations about women’s leadership, philanthropy, and social transformation across Africa.

Click here for more global grant opportunities