Managed by the Centre for Research in Enterprise and Action in Management (CREM), the programme supports student research aimed at generating practical solutions to challenges facing individuals, businesses and communities across Nigeria.

The 2026 edition plans to support 150 research projects, comprising 100 undergraduate and 50 postgraduate projects, with a reported total funding pool of ₦20 million.

The initiative provides financial assistance for student research while encouraging original thinking, evidence-based solutions and practical approaches to development challenges.

Research supported by the programme may help identify barriers to financial inclusion, improve access to finance for small businesses, strengthen rural economies and develop strategies for poverty reduction. The findings could also contribute ideas relevant to policymaking, enterprise development and community interventions.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must be final-year undergraduate students or postgraduate students enrolled in eligible Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Eligible institutions must be universities or polytechnics approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) or the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

Applicants must also be conducting research relevant to Nigeria and aligned with the grant’s focus areas. Their projects should demonstrate originality, innovative thinking, appropriate use of data and the potential to deliver meaningful impact.

A written and signed recommendation from the applicant’s project supervisor is also required.

Eligible research areas

The grant accepts research proposals covering financial inclusion, microfinance, rural development, social enterprise, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Other eligible subjects include technological development, digital finance and financial innovation, youth development, and women’s development and empowerment.

Research projects focused on helping people escape poverty are also eligible for consideration.

Research proposal requirements

Applicants must prepare a research concept or proposal in line with the programme’s academic guidelines.

The proposal should include an introduction and statement of the problem, research questions and objectives, the significance and scope of the study, a literature review and theoretical framework.

It should also cover the conceptual framework and hypotheses, where applicable, alongside the research methodology, study population and sampling techniques.

Applicants are expected to explain their data collection and analysis methods, address ethical considerations, provide references and include their personal profile.

Documents required

Applicants should prepare the following documents and information before completing the application:

• A recent passport photograph.
• A written and signed recommendation from their project supervisor.
• A personal profile or curriculum vitae (CV) in PDF format, not exceeding two pages.
• A research proposal of 10–15 pages, as specified on the application form.
• Academic and institutional details, including their current course and year of study.

Successful applicants are also expected to submit a soft copy of their completed research project after finishing the study.

Grant funding and benefits

Selected undergraduate students will receive ₦100,000 per research project, while successful postgraduate applicants will receive ₦200,000 per project.

Beyond the financial assistance, the programme aims to support research that expands knowledge in financial inclusion, enterprise development and poverty reduction.

The grant also gives students an opportunity to produce research findings and recommendations that may inform business decisions, community interventions and development initiatives.

Application deadline

Applications for the Grooming Centre University Research Grant 2026 close on October 23, 2026.

Eligible students are encouraged to review the programme’s requirements and prepare the necessary documents before submitting their applications.

How to apply

Interested applicants can follow these steps:

1. Visit the official grant website: https://groominggrant.org/
2. Review the eligibility criteria and research proposal guidelines.
3. Prepare the research proposal, CV, recent passport photograph and supervisor’s recommendation.
4. Complete the online application form at https://groominggrant.org/apply/
5. Upload the required documents and submit the application.

Applicants should ensure that their proposals meet the programme’s academic requirements and that all required information is provided before submission.

Source: MSME Africa