AREF Call for Applications: Research Development Fellowship 2025/2026
The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) is pleased to launch the call for the 2025/26 AREF Research Development Fellowship Programme.
This programs aims to support researchers in Africa who are emerging leaders and working on important challenges for human health, to develop their skills as a researcher. AREF offers A three to nine-month placement at a leading research institution in the UK, Europe or Africa, with additional support at your home institution before and after the placement.
The Fellowship enables researchers to undertake a combination of research training and professional development activities that contribute to the researcher journey. It comprises on the job training (including a small research project), networking and visits, developing collaborations, attending specialist training and an international conference.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be a national of a country in Africa.
- Applicants need not be resident in Africa at the time of applying, provided that the application is officially supported by an African institution that meets the eligibility criteria for an Employing Organisation which confirms that the applicant is employed locally.
- Applications must be working at least 30% Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) in an active research role; and EITHER
- have guaranteed employment with a legally established research organisation or a university in Africa for the duration of the Fellowship, or,
- have guarantee of employment at a centre of research excellence outside Africa, and an honorary contract with a legally established research organisation or university in Africa for the duration of the Fellowship. They must spend at least 70% of their time based in Africa (this must be confirmed in the support letter from the institution in Africa).
- Individuals with the following qualifications may apply:
- Clinicians and non-clinicians with a PhD qualification or equivalent postgraduate degree (DPh/DPhil/MD) in a health-related subject from a recognised institution of higher education or,
- Clinicians with a specialist clinical qualification. Must have an MBBS or equivalent and a specialist clinical qualification. Examples of specialist clinical qualifications are FRCP, FWACP or equivalent or,
- Clinicians with a Master’s degree. Must have an MBBS or equivalent and the Master’s must have contained a research component. We would expect a plan to gain a PhD or equivalent doctorate (although not funded as part of the AREF Fellowship).
Funding details:
- Up to £47,000 available
Read more here.
Submission deadline June 27, 2025 at 13h GMT.
