The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) has opened applications for its 2027 research funding programme, offering African researchers grants of between $5,000 and $15,000 to conduct original studies over 15 months.

The programme supports research on gender, equity, public policy, governance, academic culture in African universities and social transformation. It also aims to strengthen academic publications, inform policy development and advance gender-focused scholarship across the continent.

Successful applicants will receive financial support to undertake their research, alongside opportunities to participate in workshops and peer-learning forums. The programme also provides support for developing publishable manuscripts and policy briefs, as well as opportunities to contribute to public dialogue and policy development across Africa.

Research proposals are expected to generate original academic knowledge with potential relevance to policymaking or social development. Priority research areas include gender and equity, public policy and governance, academic culture in African universities, social transformation, gender-focused scholarship and institutional development.

Eligibility requirements

The opportunity is open to researchers affiliated with recognised African higher education institutions or research institutions. African scholars living in the diaspora are also eligible to apply in collaboration with colleagues based at an institution in Africa.

Applications may be submitted by individual researchers or collaborative research teams comprising three to five members. CODESRIA encourages interdisciplinary, inter-institutional and multi-country collaborations.

Women scholars, early-career academics and researchers working at less-resourced universities are particularly encouraged to apply.

However, researchers with outstanding or pending deliverables from previous or ongoing CODESRIA-funded projects are not encouraged to submit applications.

Application requirements

Applicants must prepare four key documents for submission.

The first is an updated curriculum vitae (CV) outlining academic qualifications, research experience and relevant publications. Applicants submitting collaborative proposals must provide CVs for every team member.

The second requirement is a research proposal synopsis of no more than 4,000 words. It must explain the research problem, relevant literature, theoretical framework, methodology, work plan, timelines and expected outputs.

Applicants must also submit a proposed research budget ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, alongside a formal institutional affiliation or endorsement letter from a recognised higher education or research institution.

All proposals and supporting documents should address the programme’s requirements.

Programme duration and expected outputs

Selected researchers will receive support over 15 months to conduct their studies and develop research outputs.

During this period, participants are expected to undertake original research, participate in academic workshops, produce publishable outputs, engage in policy dialogue and submit progress reports.

The programme is designed to support the development of research findings that can contribute to academic scholarship and inform policy discussions across Africa.

Application deadline and submission

The deadline for applications is January 16, 2027. Interested researchers are encouraged to prepare their proposals and supporting documents ahead of the closing date.

Eligible applicants should consult the official CODESRIA announcement for detailed application guidelines and submission instructions.

Applications and further information are available through the official portal: https://apply.codesria.org/auth/?next=/grants-subventions/

Source: CODESRIA