DirectJobHub
Jobs · OTHR

Apply for AREF Grant-Writing Skills Programme 2025

The Health Pulse · Grant, IL · 3 days ago
OTHRInternship

The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) offers an Essential Grant-Writing Skills Programme for emerging African health researchers. Applications close on October 3rd, 2025, focusing on competitive research funding skills.

About The Programme

  • Eight live online sessions (3 hours each)
  • A six-week break for proposal development and peer review
  • Delivery in English via Zoom
  • Provision of all learning materials and exercises

Schedule

  • Part 1: Monday 19 January – Friday 23 January 2026 (daily 08:30–11:30 GMT)
  • Part 2: Tuesday 24 March – Thursday 26 March 2026 (daily 08:30–11:30 GMT)
  • Time Zones: WAT: 09:30–12:30, CAT: 10:30–13:30, EAT: 11:30–14:30, Cape Verde: 07:30–10:30

Programme Aim

To conceptualize and communicate compelling research proposals, understand funder expectations, and improve competitiveness for national, regional, and international grant funding.

Key Topics Covered

  • Defining a unique research niche
  • Formulating compelling research questions
  • Writing in plain English
  • Understanding funders' requirements
  • Crafting key sections of a Case for Support
  • Budgeting and project planning
  • Collaborating effectively within research teams
  • Preparing for peer review and fellowship interviews

Participant Expectations

  • Inputs: Attend all online sessions in full, commit to interactive participation in all activities, dedicate at least one hour daily to preparatory work during training weeks, write a mini grant proposal during the inter-session period, participate in peer review exercises
  • Outputs: Develop a draft research concept note, engage in monitoring and evaluation activities, demonstrate how they will share learning with colleagues ("cascade" effect)

Eligibility

  • Be a citizen of an African country
  • Be early-career health researchers, having completed relevant academic qualifications:
    • A PhD/MD/DPhil awarded on or after 1 January 2020
    • A medical degree plus a relevant Master’s degree (awarded on or after 1 January 2020)
  • Be employed in Africa by a recognised university or specialist research institution
  • Not yet have received international research funding exceeding £250,000
  • Be currently active in health-related research
  • Not have previously participated in equivalent grant-writing programmes

    • Selection Criteria

    • Research experience and achievements
    • Capacity to benefit from the training and apply it effectively
    • Commitment to career development as a leading African health researcher
    • Willingness and plan to share knowledge gained
    • Proficiency in English

    Eligible Research Disciplines

    • Biomedical sciences
    • Clinical sciences
    • Public health
    • Epidemiology
    • Environmental and One Health
    • Data science and health policy
    • Mental and behavioural health
    • Social and economic sciences related to health

    How To Apply

    Visit the AREF application portal on the link below, register an account and complete the application form: AREF-Grant-Application-System

    For more information visit the AREF official website on the link below: Home-Africa-Research-Excellence-Fund

    Similar jobs