Closing soonTraining2026/27
AREF–MRC Towards Leadership Programme 2026/27
Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) with Medical Research Council (MRC)
Career-development programme for African researchers employed by recognised African universities or specialist research institutions and working within a global-health remit.
Is this a fit?
Apply if
- You are a citizen of an African country
- You are currently employed in Africa by a recognised university and/or specialist research institution
- Your work falls within a global-health remit
- You can participate fully in the programme
Key dates
- Application deadline
- 2026-08-28T16:00:00 UTC
- Successful applicants notified
- 30 October 2026
- Opening workshop
- 2027-03-17 to 2027-03-19
- Virtual workshop
- 1 September 2027
- Closing workshop
- 1 March 2028
The Methods Bench take
- Best suited for
- African global-health researchers who already have a research base and are moving toward independent leadership.
- The main hurdle
- This is an intensive career-development programme rather than a conventional project grant.
- Start early on
- Institutional support and evidence of research-leadership trajectory.
- Watch out for
- Categorise under Training/Career Development, not Grants.
Before you start, check
- Confirm African citizenship
- Confirm Africa-based employment
- Confirm global-health remit
- Confirm availability for all programme components
Related opportunities
- AREF-MRC Towards Leadership ProgrammeCareer development
- Mak-BSSR HIV Research Training Opportunities 2026Makerere University, UCSF and NIH Fogarty International Center
- AREF Essential Grant Writing Skills Programmetraining