CODESRIA Research Grants on University Ecosystems 2027: Funding of $5,000–$15,000 for African Researchers

Overview

The Research Grants on University Ecosystems programme is administered by the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa with funding support from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. This initiative supports original investigations into the institutional, intellectual, social, and political conditions shaping higher education in Africa. The programme runs for 15 months and is designed to encourage academic collaboration, knowledge exchange, scholarly publication, and policy engagement regarding topics such as higher education, gender equality, academic freedom, and the quality of associational life in African universities.

Who can apply

This funding opportunity is open to researchers affiliated with recognized African higher education institutions and research organizations. Eligible participants include social scientists, education researchers, gender studies scholars, early-career academics, and interdisciplinary research teams. Both individual and collaborative research proposals are accepted.

What you get

Successful applicants receive research support ranging from US$5,000 to US$15,000. Participants also take part in a 15-month research programme aimed at advancing gender-sensitive scholarship, strengthening research capacity, and generating evidence-based knowledge to inform higher education policies and institutional reforms.

Requirements

Applicants must submit research proposals that investigate challenges, opportunities, and transformations within African universities, with specific attention to areas such as gender inequalities, academic and intellectual freedom, university governance, institutional autonomy, research ecosystems, student and faculty associations, and the changing role of universities in inclusive development. Preferred research approaches include interdisciplinary, inter-institutional, and multi-country studies.

How to apply

Interested researchers must prepare a research proposal, a curriculum vitae, a draft budget, and an institutional affiliation or endorsement letter. Submissions must be completed through the official CODESRIA application portal on their website.

Key dates

The application deadline is 16 January 2027.