Application Deadline (Expression of Interest): 15 August 2026 (12:00 PM GMT)
The Africa Health Collaborative (AHC) Research Fund 2026 is now accepting applications from Early Career Researchers (ECRs) affiliated with eligible AHC member institutions. The initiative is designed to strengthen collaborative health research across Africa by supporting innovative projects that address key challenges in Primary Health Care (PHC).
Successful applicants can receive up to $22,000 in funding for bilateral research projects, while larger multilateral collaborations may receive additional funding based on the number of participating institutions. The programme aims to help researchers establish long-term partnerships, build research capacity, and generate evidence that can influence health policy across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Africa Health Collaborative (AHC) Research Fund 2026 Summary
- Host Organization: Africa Health Collaborative (AHC)
- Programme: AHC Research Fund 2026
- Funding Amount: Up to US$22,000 for bilateral projects
- Eligible Applicants: Early Career Researchers (ECRs)
- Eligible Region: Selected AHC member institutions
- Research Duration: Up to 18 months
- Application Deadline (Expression of Interest): 15 August 2026 (12:00 PM GMT)
- Project Start Date: January 2027
About the Africa Health Collaborative Research Fund
The Africa Health Collaborative is a long-term partnership focused on strengthening Africa’s primary healthcare systems through research, innovation, education, and workforce development.
The 2026 Research Fund provides seed funding for collaborative projects that bring together researchers from multiple AHC institutions. Beyond financial support, the programme is intended to help Early Career Researchers develop competitive research portfolios that can attract larger international grants in the future.
Research Theme for 2026
Applicants are expected to propose projects that align with the following priority areas:
- Health Human Resources Policy
- Health Financing Policy
- Primary Health Care in Sub-Saharan Africa
Projects should generate practical evidence capable of improving healthcare systems and informing policy decisions across African countries.
Funding Benefits
Selected research teams will receive funding to support collaborative activities, including:
- Research implementation costs
- Joint workshops and scientific meetings
- Research exchanges between partner institutions
- Travel expenses for researchers and trainees
- Graduate student participation
- Postdoctoral researcher involvement
- Capacity-building activities
Funding Value
- Bilateral Projects: Up to US$22,000
- Each participating institution can provide up to US$11,000 to its own investigator.
- Multilateral Projects: Funding increases proportionally based on participating institutions.
- Around nine collaborative projects are expected to be funded under the 2026 call.
Eligible Institutions
Only Early Career Researchers from the following Africa Health Collaborative member institutions may apply:
- Addis Ababa University
- African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)
- African Leadership University
- Amref International University
- Ashesi University
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
- Moi University
- University of Cape Town
- University of Toronto
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be an Early Career Researcher (ECR) according to their institution’s eligibility requirements.
- Be affiliated with one of the participating AHC institutions.
- Submit a bilateral (two institutions) or multilateral (three or more institutions) collaborative proposal.
- Include Master’s, PhD, or Postdoctoral researchers within the project team.
- Lead only one application.
- External collaborators (NGOs, governments, community organisations, or researchers from non-member institutions) may participate but cannot serve as the lead applicant.
Application Process
The competition consists of two stages:
Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)
Applicants first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), which will be reviewed by their home institution to confirm eligibility.
Applicants without an identified research partner may still apply. If approved, their profiles may be shared with other eligible researchers seeking collaborators.
Stage 2: Full Proposal
Researchers whose EOIs are approved will be invited to submit a complete research proposal for final evaluation.
Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
| Expression of Interest Deadline | 15 August 2026 (12:00 PM GMT) |
| EOI Results Released | 7 September 2026 |
| Full Proposal Submission Deadline (Invited Applicants) | 7 November 2026 |
| Research Project Commences | January 2027 |
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete the online Expression of Interest (EOI) before the application deadline.
Official Application Portal:
https://africahealthcollaborative.org/research-fund/apply
For complete programme guidelines and eligibility requirements, visit:
https://africahealthcollaborative.org/research/research-fund
Final Thoughts
The Africa Health Collaborative Research Fund 2026 presents an outstanding opportunity for Early Career Researchers to launch cross-border collaborations while addressing pressing healthcare challenges facing Sub-Saharan Africa. With funding of up to US$22,000, participating researchers can strengthen institutional partnerships, enhance research capacity, and contribute evidence that shapes future health policies across the continent.
Researchers affiliated with eligible AHC member institutions are encouraged to begin identifying collaborators and preparing their Expression of Interest well before the 15 August 2026 deadline.
