Research Opportunities

Wellcome Early-Career Awards

Deadline: 21 Jul 2026

Global / LMIC-eligible

Salary plus up to £400,000 for research expenses

Early-career researchers preparing to establish a clear research identity and lead their own project.

Leakey Foundation Francis H. Brown African Scholarship

African students pursuing studies and research related to human origins and related sciences. Confirm current scope on the funder's site.

Deadline: 15 Jul 2026

Africa

Scholarship support (see official call)

African students pursuing studies and research related to human origins and related sciences. Confirm current scope on the funder's site.

ARUA Early-Career Research Fellowship 2026

Early-career researchers at African universities, aged 35 or below; at least 70% of fellowships reserved for women.

Deadline: 15 Jul 2026

Africa

USD 2,000/month for 6 months, plus accommodation and travel

Early-career researchers at African universities, aged 35 or below; at least 70% of fellowships reserved for women.

ESG Student Innovation Challenge (SEACon 2026)

Students presenting innovative solutions to sustainability and ESG challenges.

Deadline: 16 Jul 2026

Africa

Recognition and conference platform

Students presenting innovative solutions to sustainability and ESG challenges.

Wellcome Early-Career Awards

Early-career researchers preparing to establish a clear research identity and lead their own project.

Deadline: 21 Jul 2026

Global / LMIC-eligible

Salary plus up to £400,000 for research expenses

Early-career researchers preparing to establish a clear research identity and lead their own project.

Wellcome Career Development Awards

Deadline: 28 Jul 2026

Global / LMIC-eligible

Usually below £250,000 per year excluding applicant salary; applicants should request the resources needed for the programme

Mid-career researchers building a substantial programme of work in health-related research, methods development, or conceptual frameworks.

Wellcome Career Development Awards

Mid-career researchers building a substantial programme in health-related research, methods development, or conceptual frameworks.

Deadline: 28 Jul 2026

Global / LMIC-eligible

Usually below £250,000 per year excluding salary

Mid-career researchers building a substantial programme in health-related research, methods development, or conceptual frameworks.

AL-Sumait Prize for African Development (Nominations)

Individuals and institutions driving sustainable development in Africa through applied research and innovation in food security, health, and education.

Deadline: 31 Aug 2026

Africa

USD 1,000,000

Individuals and institutions driving sustainable development in Africa through applied research and innovation in food security, health, and education.

Global Health EDCTP3: Digital Innovation & AI in Health Research (CSA)

Consortia enhancing integrated research and healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa through digital innovation and artificial intelligence. Topic HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2026-03-DIGIT-02.

Deadline: 2 Sept 2026

Sub-Saharan Africa & Europe

Lump sum funding (consortium)

Consortia enhancing integrated research and healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa through digital innovation and artificial intelligence. Topic HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2026-03-DIGIT-02.

Global Health EDCTP3: Ethics, Regulatory & Pharmacovigilance Training Networks (CSA)

Training and innovation networks for sustained capacity development in ethics, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, and digital regulatory platforms. Topic HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2026-03-SERP-01.

Deadline: 2 Sept 2026

Sub-Saharan Africa & Europe

Lump sum funding (consortium)

Training and innovation networks for sustained capacity development in ethics, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, and digital regulatory platforms. Topic HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2026-03-SERP-01.

Global Health EDCTP3 RIA Calls, Second Stage (Invited Consortia)

Consortia successful at the 4 March 2026 first stage on TB drugs, lower respiratory tract infections, HIV co-infections, and climate & health. Second stage by invitation only.

Deadline: 17 Sept 2026

Sub-Saharan Africa & Europe

€5M-€10M per project; €147M total work programme

Consortia successful at the 4 March 2026 first stage on TB drugs, lower respiratory tract infections, HIV co-infections, and climate & health. Second stage by invitation only.

Wellcome Discovery Awards

Deadline: 22 Sept 2026

Global / LMIC-eligible

Average award size around £3.5 million; applications above £5 million receive additional scrutiny

Established researchers, senior academics, and multidisciplinary teams developing ambitious long-term research programmes.

Wellcome Discovery Awards

Established researchers, senior academics, and multidisciplinary teams developing ambitious long-term research programmes.

Deadline: 22 Sept 2026

Global / LMIC-eligible

Average around £3.5 million

Established researchers, senior academics, and multidisciplinary teams developing ambitious long-term research programmes.

CARTA PhD Fellowships

Staff of CARTA partner institutions (including Makerere University) pursuing a PhD on public and population health.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Africa

Multi-year PhD support in public and population health

Staff of CARTA partner institutions (including Makerere University) pursuing a PhD on public and population health.

AERC Research Grants (Thematic & Collaborative)

African researchers, especially early-career economists, working on growth, poverty, trade, health economics, and related themes.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Sub-Saharan Africa

Thematic research grants in economics and policy

African researchers, especially early-career economists, working on growth, poverty, trade, health economics, and related themes.

NIH Fogarty Emerging Global Leader Award (K43)

Early-career LMIC-based health researchers with a doctoral degree, an LMIC institutional affiliation, and strong mentorship teams.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

LMICs incl. Uganda

Protected time and research support for 3-5 years

Early-career LMIC-based health researchers with a doctoral degree, an LMIC institutional affiliation, and strong mentorship teams.

NIH Fogarty D43 Research Training Programmes

Varies by award; typically staff or students of partner institutions in Uganda (Makerere, MUST, and others).

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

LMICs incl. Uganda

Funded Master's, PhD, and postdoc training slots

Varies by award; typically staff or students of partner institutions in Uganda (Makerere, MUST, and others).

Grand Challenges Requests for Proposals

Researchers and innovators responding to specific challenge topics in global health and development.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Global incl. Africa

Varies by RFP; seed grants of USD 100,000-200,000 are common

Researchers and innovators responding to specific challenge topics in global health and development.

Science for Africa Foundation Calls (incl. Grand Challenges Africa)

African researchers and institutions across health, climate, and innovation programmes.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Africa

Varies by call

African researchers and institutions across health, climate, and innovation programmes.

IDRC Open Calls for Proposals

Researchers and organizations in developing countries across governance, health, education, and climate themes.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Global South incl. Uganda

Varies by call

Researchers and organizations in developing countries across governance, health, education, and climate themes.

AREF Research Development Fellowship

Post-doctoral scientists and clinicians who are nationals of and employed in Africa, working on human health challenges.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Africa

Up to £47,000 for a 3-9 month placement in the UK, Europe, or Africa

Post-doctoral scientists and clinicians who are nationals of and employed in Africa, working on human health challenges.

AREF Essential Grant Writing Skills Programme

Emerging biomedical/health researchers in Africa with a PhD awarded in roughly the last six years, without a large grant portfolio.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Africa

Fully online training programme

Emerging biomedical/health researchers in Africa with a PhD awarded in roughly the last six years, without a large grant portfolio.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (Makerere University, Graduate)

Academically talented young Africans facing financial barriers, admitted to eligible Makerere graduate programmes.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Africa / Uganda

Fully funded graduate scholarships

Academically talented young Africans facing financial barriers, admitted to eligible Makerere graduate programmes.

Wellcome Mental Health Awards (Periodic Calls)

Teams advancing the science of anxiety, depression, and psychosis, with strong LMIC participation encouraged.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Global / LMIC-eligible

Varies by call

Teams advancing the science of anxiety, depression, and psychosis, with strong LMIC participation encouraged.

Uganda National Council for Science & Technology (UNCST) Grant Announcements

Ugandan researchers, innovators, and institutions; specific criteria set per call.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Uganda

Varies by call

Ugandan researchers, innovators, and institutions; specific criteria set per call.

Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program (Uganda)

Ugandan academics and professionals with a doctorate or equivalent professional experience.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Uganda

Funded research/teaching stay at a U.S. institution

Ugandan academics and professionals with a doctorate or equivalent professional experience.

Chevening Scholarships (UK Master's)

Emerging leaders with at least two years' work experience and an undergraduate degree; return-home requirement applies.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Global incl. Uganda

Fully funded one-year UK Master's

Emerging leaders with at least two years' work experience and an undergraduate degree; return-home requirement applies.

H-DATA PhD Fellowships in Health Data Science (Makerere University)

Qualified Ugandans proposing health data science (AI/ML) research on HIV-related themes, registered at Makerere University; Makerere-UCSF collaboration.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Uganda

Full-time funded PhD training, 2026-2030 grant period

Qualified Ugandans proposing health data science (AI/ML) research on HIV-related themes, registered at Makerere University; Makerere-UCSF collaboration.

SSRC African Peacebuilding & Developmental Dynamics (APDD) Fellowships 2026

African scholars and practitioners conducting Africa-centered research on peacebuilding, governance, and developmental dynamics in conflict-affected contexts.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Africa

Research fellowship awards

African scholars and practitioners conducting Africa-centered research on peacebuilding, governance, and developmental dynamics in conflict-affected contexts.

Oppenheimer Africa Research Grant 2026

Early-career scientists in Africa proposing new research projects; previously funded or ongoing projects are not eligible.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Africa

USD 150,000

Early-career scientists in Africa proposing new research projects; previously funded or ongoing projects are not eligible.

Makerere University Research & Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF)

Makerere University researchers and teams (some rounds include affiliated institutions), aligned to national development priorities.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Uganda

Varies by track; agenda-based and commercialization grants

Makerere University researchers and teams (some rounds include affiliated institutions), aligned to national development priorities.

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Least Developed Countries & Fragile States)

Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries with a strong academic record and development-relevant research plans.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Commonwealth LDCs incl. Uganda

Fully funded PhD in the UK

Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries with a strong academic record and development-relevant research plans.

Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships (PhD)

PhD candidates registered at a university in an eligible Commonwealth country with a UK co-supervision arrangement.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Commonwealth countries incl. Uganda

12 months at a UK university during your home-country PhD

PhD candidates registered at a university in an eligible Commonwealth country with a UK co-supervision arrangement.

DAAD In-Region/In-Country Scholarships (East Africa)

East African nationals applying to designated host universities and networks in the region.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

East Africa

Master's and PhD scholarships at African host institutions

East African nationals applying to designated host universities and networks in the region.

DAAD EPOS: Development-Related Postgraduate Courses

Professionals from developing countries with a first degree and usually two years of work experience.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Developing countries incl. Uganda

Fully funded Master's/PhD courses in Germany

Professionals from developing countries with a first degree and usually two years of work experience.

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future

Women from developing countries pursuing PhD or postdoctoral STEM research at leading universities abroad, committed to returning home.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Developing countries incl. Uganda

Up to USD 50,000/year for PhD; up to USD 40,000 for postdoc

Women from developing countries pursuing PhD or postdoctoral STEM research at leading universities abroad, committed to returning home.

OWSD PhD Fellowships for Women Scientists

Women scientists from eligible countries undertaking PhD research at a host institution in another developing country (sandwich or full-time).

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Science & technology lagging countries incl. Uganda

Fully funded PhD study in the Global South

Women scientists from eligible countries undertaking PhD research at a host institution in another developing country (sandwich or full-time).

OWSD Early Career Fellowship

Women who completed a PhD within the last ten years, employed at an institution in an eligible country, building a research group.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Science & technology lagging countries incl. Uganda

Up to USD 50,000 over two years

Women who completed a PhD within the last ten years, employed at an institution in an eligible country, building a research group.

TWAS Research Grants in Basic Sciences (Individuals & Groups)

Researchers and research units in eligible developing countries; one TWAS/OWSD application per year.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Science & technology lagging countries incl. Uganda

Equipment, consumables, and MSc student support

Researchers and research units in eligible developing countries; one TWAS/OWSD application per year.

TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Programme (Germany)

Postdoctoral researchers from sub-Saharan Africa initiating new collaborations with German research groups.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Sub-Saharan Africa

Three-month fully covered research visit to Germany

Postdoctoral researchers from sub-Saharan Africa initiating new collaborations with German research groups.

TWAS Fellowships for Research and Advanced Training

Young scientists at the beginning of their research careers in eligible developing countries.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Developing countries incl. Uganda

3-12 month research stay in another developing country; travel plus subsistence contribution

Young scientists at the beginning of their research careers in eligible developing countries.

L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents, Sub-Saharan Africa

Women nationals of sub-Saharan African countries enrolled in a doctoral programme or working as postdocs in the region.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Sub-Saharan Africa

EUR 10,000 (PhD) / EUR 15,000 (postdoc) plus leadership training

Women nationals of sub-Saharan African countries enrolled in a doctoral programme or working as postdocs in the region.

CODESRIA Meaning-making Research Initiatives (incl. Female Scholars call)

African scholars resident on the continent (limited diaspora); coordinators must hold a PhD; consultants and NGOs not eligible.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Africa

Research grants for individuals and groups in humanities and social sciences

African scholars resident on the continent (limited diaspora); coordinators must hold a PhD; consultants and NGOs not eligible.

CODESRIA AFRIAK Fellowships (Indigenous & Alternative Knowledges)

African nationals aged 35 and below, resident in Africa; group applications must be at least 70% women.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Africa

Fully supported 7-month fellowship with mentorship and a residency at an intellectual hub

African nationals aged 35 and below, resident in Africa; group applications must be at least 70% women.

Mawazo PhD Scholars Programme

African women enrolled in a PhD at an accredited African university who have passed their proposal defence.

Deadline: Rolling / no fixed date

Africa

Research funding, training, and visibility support

African women enrolled in a PhD at an accredited African university who have passed their proposal defence.