AREF Essential Grant Writing Skills Programme 2026 for African Health Researchers

Job Description

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The AREF Essential Grant Writing Skills Programme 2026 is now open for applications from emerging health and biomedical researchers across Africa. This intensive online training programme is designed to strengthen the ability of African scientists to develop competitive research proposals and secure international research funding.

Organised by the Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF), the programme supports researchers who are actively addressing important human health challenges on the continent. Participants will receive practical training in proposal development, research planning, and grant writing, while also gaining valuable insights into how funding organisations assess applications.

Overview of the AREF Essential Grant Writing Skills Programme 2026

The AREF Essential Grant Writing Skills Programme 2026 will be delivered entirely online and will combine live virtual sessions with independent assignments and peer review activities.

Programme Details

• Programme Type: Training Programme
• Location: Online
• Sponsor: Africa Research Excellence Fund
• Eligible Countries: All African countries
• Application Deadline: 3 April 2026

The programme will run in two phases during June and July 2026. Participants will take part in structured online sessions and complete assignments between sessions to develop a mini research proposal.

Programme Schedule

The training sessions will take place on the following dates:

• Monday 1 June to Friday 5 June 2026
  Daily online sessions from 08:30 to 11:30 GMT
• Wednesday 29 July to Friday 31 July 2026
  Daily online sessions from 08:30 to 11:30 GMT

Between these sessions, participants will have an eight week period to draft a mini research proposal and review proposals submitted by other participants.

All sessions will be conducted in English and delivered through Zoom.

What Participants Will Learn

The AREF Essential Grant Writing Skills Programme 2026 focuses on developing the practical skills required to create strong research funding proposals. Key learning areas include:

• Identifying and defining your unique research niche
• Developing a compelling research question
• Understanding the expectations of research funders
• Writing proposals using clear and effective English
• Structuring the major sections of a grant proposal
• Preparing a strong case for support or project description
• Designing a research project plan and budget
• Managing collaborations and research teams
• Understanding the peer review process
• Preparing for fellowship or grant interviews

By the end of the programme, participants are expected to make significant progress toward developing a complete research proposal.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the AREF Essential Grant Writing Skills Programme 2026 must provide evidence that they meet the following requirements:

• Must be a citizen of an African country
• Must be in the early stage of a research career
• Must meet one of the following academic qualifications:
  1. Hold a PhD, DPhil, or MD from a recognised institution awarded on or after 1 January 2020
  2. Hold a medical or clinical qualification plus a research related Master’s degree, both awarded on or after 1 January 2020
• Must currently be employed in Africa by a recognised university or research institution
• Must be actively involved in health research activities
• Must not have participated previously in equivalent grant writing or proposal development training
• Must not hold major international research grants with a combined value of £250,000 or more

Selection Process

Applications for the AREF Essential Grant Writing Skills Programme 2026 will be assessed based on the applicant’s potential to benefit from the training. Reviewers will consider the following:

• Research achievements and academic outputs to date
• Evidence of commitment to addressing important health challenges in Africa
• How the training will support the applicant’s long term research goals
• Plans to share knowledge gained from the programme with colleagues or institutions
• Adequate proficiency in English

Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will be shortlisted, after which final participants will be selected.

Expectations from Participants

Participants selected for the AREF Essential Grant Writing Skills Programme 2026 must meet the following commitments:

• Attend all online sessions throughout the programme
• Participate actively in discussions, group exercises, and collaborative tasks
• Spend approximately one additional hour daily preparing for each session through reading and assignments
• Dedicate time during the break between sessions to develop a draft research proposal

Failure to attend all sessions will result in participants not receiving a completion certificate.

Technical Requirements

Participants should ensure they have:

• A reliable internet connection with sufficient bandwidth
• A computer or laptop capable of running Zoom
• Access to a smartphone for simultaneous communication when necessary

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit their application through the official AREF application portal.

To apply:

1. Visit the AREF programme portal
2. Create an account on the platform
3. Complete and submit the online application form

Applicants are encouraged to review the application guidance document and FAQs available on the portal before submitting their application.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the AREF Essential Grant Writing Skills Programme 2026 is 3 April 2026. Early submission is recommended to avoid missing the opportunity.