AREF is calling for applications from scientists who are active, emerging biomedical/health researchers in African countries to participate in its Essential Grant Writing Skills Programme.
AREF welcomes applications for this Programme from researchers who are actively working on challenges to human health and are trained and experienced in one or more of the following disciplines: biomedicine; physiology and pharmacology; clinical sciences; epidemiology; mathematics and statistics; environmental health; “one health” (veterinary science); behavioural, mental health, public health, data science for health, social and economic sciences; and health policy and systems research.
This fully on-line programme will be held during the weeks of June and July 2026. There will be an eight-week break in between the two-part programme, where you will be expected to write a mini proposal and participate in an activity to review the proposals of your colleagues. This is an intensive programme that is designed to produce tangible progress towards a grant proposal by the end of the programme series. Your commitment to the entire series and to the additional work outside of sessions will be necessary to achieve these outcomes.
To be eligible, you need to provide evidence that:
You are a citizen of a country in Africa
You are in the early stages of your research career
EITHER
you have been awarded a research doctorate (PhD/DPhil/MD) from a recognised academic institution normally within the previous 6 years, (i.e. awarded on or after 1 January 2020);
OR you have a medical/clinical qualification PLUS a research-relevant Master’s degree, both awarded normally within the previous 6 years (i.e. awarded on or after 1 January 2020).
You are currently employed in Africa by a recognised university and/or specialist research institution.
You have not participated already in equivalent proposal development / grant-writing training.
A significant part of your current employee role is to develop and conduct health research.
You do not already have a significant portfolio of international research grants (Combined value of £250,000 or more).
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Commit to all on-line sessions for the full duration of each session. Attendance to all sessions is mandatory. Participants will not receive a certificate of completion otherwise.
Participate in all sessions. These sessions are interactive and will require your active participation. You gain the best when you fully participate in all activities and exercises.
Commit approximately an additional hour each day to prepare for each session through reading and pre-work assignments/reflections.
Dedicate significant time during the six-week period in between programme sessions to write a draft of your own research proposal, which will then be utilised in the final three sessions.
You SHOULD
have access to good bandwidth and a computer or laptop that is set up to use the Zoom platform (IT department may control your ability to use online platforms)
be able to use a smart phone simultaneously with the Zoom platform.
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Application Process
Required Documents:
To apply, please go to AREF portal ( https://programmes.aref-africa.org.uk/) to access the application Form on our portal and complete the application form as directed. You must register an account on the portal before you can access the application form.
You can also find additional information in the Online Application Form Guidance and the FAQs guide to help you to complete the application form.
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