The Science for Africa Foundation, in partnership with the Mental Health Innovation Network, is offering a limited number of Event Scholarships to support individuals who want to participate in the Global Mental Health in Africa Conference 2027 (#GMHAC2027) but face financial barriers.
The scholarship initiative is designed to ensure that the voices shaping the future of mental health across Africa are represented at one of the continent’s leading mental health gatherings. Recognizing that financial constraints often prevent talented researchers, students, practitioners, advocates, and individuals with lived experience from attending international conferences, this scholarship seeks to remove those barriers and promote greater inclusion.
If you are passionate about advancing mental health research, policy, services, or advocacy across Africa, this opportunity could enable you to attend the conference while receiving financial support for key participation expenses.
About the Science for Africa Foundation Event Scholarships
The Science for Africa Foundation and the Mental Health Innovation Network believe that meaningful conversations about mental health in Africa should include the people who are directly involved in improving mental health systems and services across the continent.
Through these scholarships, selected participants will receive financial support that enables them to attend #GMHAC2027 and contribute to discussions on research, innovation, policy, practice, and lived experiences in mental health.
The scholarships are highly competitive, with only a limited number of awards available.
Why These Scholarships Matter
Mental health continues to be one of the most important public health priorities across Africa. However, many talented professionals and advocates are unable to attend major conferences due to financial limitations.
These scholarships aim to:
- Increase African participation in global mental health discussions
- Support early-career professionals developing careers in mental health
- Amplify the voices of people with lived experience
- Encourage collaboration among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, students, and advocates
- Promote stronger community engagement in mental health initiatives
- Build networks that strengthen mental health systems across Africa
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is open to individuals working in or connected to mental health across Africa.
Eligible applicants include:
1. Early-Career Researchers
Researchers involved in:
- Mental health research
- Public health research
- Clinical research
- Mental health policy
- Mental health practice
2. Students
Students are eligible to apply provided they submit:
- A letter of support from their institution, supervisor, or academic advisor
3. Persons with Lived Experience
Individuals with:
- Personal lived experience of mental health conditions
- Psychosocial disabilities
- Experience contributing to advocacy or community engagement
4. Other Mental Health Professionals
Applicants who have a demonstrated connection to mental health in Africa may also apply.
Examples include individuals working in:
- Mental health advocacy
- Community organizations
- NGOs
- Healthcare delivery
- Government agencies
- Social work
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Public health
- Policy development
Applicants should clearly explain their role in the application.
Priority for African-Based Applicants
While several categories of applicants are eligible, priority will be given to:
- Applicants based in Africa
- Individuals whose attendance depends on financial assistance
- Applicants making meaningful contributions to mental health across the continent
What the Scholarship Can Cover
Applicants may request financial support for one or more of the following expenses:
Conference Registration
Support for:
- Conference participation fees
Travel Costs
Funding for transportation to and from the conference venue.
Accommodation
Support for lodging during the conference period.
Other Costs
Applicants may also request support for additional conference-related expenses by explaining their needs within the application.
Required Application Materials
Applications are submitted online and require several documents and written responses.
Personal Information
Applicants must provide:
- Full name
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Country of residence
- Institution or organization
- Current professional role
Motivation Statement
Applicants must prepare a statement of no more than 300 words explaining:
- Why they wish to attend #GMHAC2027
- How participation will benefit their work
- What they hope to gain from the conference
Impact and Contribution Statement
Applicants should explain:
- How their work contributes to improving mental health in Africa
- Their impact on research, services, policy, or advocacy
- How they involve people with lived experience or community engagement in their work
Financial Need Statement
Applicants must submit a statement (maximum 300 words) describing:
- Why financial support is necessary
- Why they would otherwise be unable to attend
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Résumé
Applicants must upload an up-to-date CV or résumé.
Recommendation Letter
- Mandatory for student applicants
- Strongly encouraged for all other applicants
Selection Process
The scholarships are competitive and limited.
Applications will be reviewed based on:
- Eligibility
- Demonstrated impact in mental health
- Quality of motivation statement
- Financial need
- Potential contribution to the conference
- Overall strength of the application
Meeting the eligibility criteria alone does not guarantee funding.
Notification of Results
All applicants will receive notification of the outcome of their application via email.
Successful applicants will receive additional information regarding:
- Scholarship coverage
- Participation requirements
- Next steps before the conference
Click HERE to read more.
Scholarship Terms and Conditions
Applicants should carefully review the scholarship conditions before applying.
Important conditions include:
- Scholarships are limited in number.
- Awards are competitive.
- Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.
- Applications must contain accurate and complete information.
- Scholarships cannot be transferred to another individual.
Tips for Preparing a Strong Application
To improve your application:
- Clearly explain your connection to mental health in Africa.
- Demonstrate the impact of your work using concrete examples.
- Show how attending the conference will strengthen your research, practice, advocacy, or policy work.
- Be honest and specific when explaining financial need.
- Submit a well-organized CV.
- Obtain a strong recommendation letter, especially if you are a student.
- Review all documents carefully before submission.
Benefits of the Event Scholarship
Successful applicants may receive support for:
- Conference registration fees
- Travel expenses
- Accommodation costs
- Other approved participation expenses
- Access to one of Africa’s leading mental health conferences
- Networking opportunities with researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates
- Opportunities to collaborate with experts and organizations working to strengthen mental health across Africa
- Exposure to innovative research, policies, and best practices in mental health
Conclusion
The Science for Africa Foundation Event Scholarships provide an important opportunity for individuals working to improve mental health across Africa to participate in the Global Mental Health in Africa Conference 2027. By reducing financial barriers, the program ensures that researchers, students, practitioners, policymakers, advocates, and people with lived experience can contribute to meaningful conversations that shape the future of mental health on the continent.
If you are committed to advancing mental health research, services, policy, or advocacy in Africa and require financial assistance to attend #GMHAC2027, this scholarship offers an excellent opportunity to gain new knowledge, build professional networks, and contribute your voice to one of Africa’s most important mental health events. Be sure to prepare a compelling application with strong supporting documents to maximize your chances of selection.
Click HERE for more scholarship opportunities.
