CODESRIA Research Grant 2027 for African Researcher (Up to $15,000 in Funding)

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Applications are open for CODESRIA Research Grant 2027. Are you an African researcher studying higher education, gender equality, academic freedom, or university governance? The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) invites research proposals exploring the challenges and transformation of African universities.

The programme provides funding and research support to scholars whose work contributes to academic publications, policy development and gender-focused scholarship across Africa. Selected researchers will receive between $5,000 and $15,000 in research funding to conduct their studies over 15 months.

CODESRIA Research Grant Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

Research funding: Grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.
15 months of research support: Time to conduct original research and develop findings.
Knowledge exchange: Opportunities to participate in workshops and peer-learning forums.
Academic publication support: Support for producing publishable manuscripts and policy briefs.
Policy engagement: Opportunities to contribute to public dialogue and policy development across Africa.

Project Sub-Themes

Proposed studies should engage with theoretical and conceptual debates, shifting methodological approaches, using case study empirical research, as well as policy analysis and strategies for advocacy and institutional change within universrities. Proposals that examine the quality of academic freedom and associational life in African universities, and implications to the following issues will be prioritised:

Academic and intellectual freedom;
University governance, autonomy, and accountability;
Funding models and their implications for equity and quality;
Digital transitions, AI, and emerging pedagogical innovations;
Research ecosystems, knowledge production, and epistemic justice;
Gender, minority inclusion, and social justice in university spaces;
Neoliberalism, globalisation and institutional autonomy in university governance in Africa;
Gender, minority groups and University life in African universities;
The dynamics of private universities and TVETs in Africa;
University’s missions, mandates, and govrnance in achieving SDGs and Agenda 2063;
Graduate outcomes in the changing labour and work environment;
University-community partnerships; state, industry and civil organisations.

Project Structure and Duration

Selected fellows will receive support for 15 months, during which they will:

Conduct original research aligned with the programme’s thematic priorities;
Participate in knowledge‑exchange workshops and peer‑learning forums;
Produce at least one publishable manuscript (journal article and policy brief or equivalent);
Contribute to public dialogue and policy engagement activities;
Submit periodic progress reports and a final consolidated output.

Eligibility Criteria for CODESRIA Research Grant

Applicants must be affiliated with a recognized African higher education or research institution.
African scholars in the diaspora are encouraged to apply in collaboration with colleagues from an African-based institution.
CODESRIA encourages applications from women scholars, early-career academics, and those affiliated with less well-resourced universities across Africa.
Both individual and collaborative proposals are eligible. Collaborative teams should comprise 3-5 members. Interdisciplinary, inter-institutional, or multi-country research teams are strongly encouraged.
Applicants with outstanding or pending deliverables from ongoing or previous CODESRIA-funded projects are not encouraged to apply.

How To Apply for CODESRIA Research Grant

Submitted proposals should include the following:

Curriculum Vitae (CV): A recent CV highlighting the principal investigator’s qualifications, research experience, and relevant publications. For team applications, CVs of all members should be attached.
Proposal Synopsis (maximum 4,000 words): The proposal should clearly articulate the following elements:
1. a well-defined research question or problem statement;
2. demonstrated familiarity with recent literature and discourse in the subject area;
3. a conceptual or theoretical framework guiding the study;
4. a concise research methodology and work plan, including timelines;
5. a draft budget;
6. a list of proposed outputs (scholarly and non-scholarly).
A draft budget ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 15,000
Institutional Affiliation

A formal letter of affiliation or endorsement from a recognized higher education or research institution.

All application documents should be submitted electronically on the CODESRIA website using the link: https://apply.codesria.org/grants-subventions/

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Application Deadline: 16 January 2027