AREF 2023 Research Development Fellowship for African Researchers

AREF Research Fellowship is designed to enable talented, early-career African researchers to develop their own research ideas and specialist skills, to grow their research relationships through collaboration and mentorship, and to work towards a major funding proposal. This year, funding will be made available for a “planned follow-through” in the awardee’s home institution.

The AREF Research Development Fellowship (RDF) Programme is being launched to support African researchers who are working on important challenges for human health in Africa. 

• Table of Content
• About Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF)
• Research Development Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of Research Development Fellowship
• Requirements for Research Development Fellowship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Research Development Fellowship
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF)

The Africa Research Excellence Fund aims to improve the quality and impact of health research in Africa by nurturing talented, emerging researchers to do the best health research in Africa, for Africa. We want to grow the community of African researchers who lead and partner excellent, collaborative health research that benefits patients, populations, policy makers and practitioners throughout the region and globally. You can be part of our vision and help us achieve it. Please read more about our programmes and how you can get involved:... continue reading

Research Development Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of Research Development Fellowship

A three to nine-month placement at a leading research institution in Europe or Africa, with additional support at your home institution before and after the placement, up to a maximum of £40,000. 

Requirements for Research Development Fellowship Qualification

Research active post-doctoral scientists and clinicians who are nationals of and employed in Sub-Saharan Africa who were awarded their doctorate after May 2014; and clinicians without a doctorate but who have a research-relevant Master’s degree and at least two and up to seven years active research experience.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Research Development Fellowship

Selection Criteria:

• Applicants will need to demonstrate a credible, ambitious vision for their research career in an area of human-health challenge for Africa; and a transformational, well-supported development plan that would be significantly enhanced by the RDF Programme. Potential applicants?are strongly encouraged to discuss their?plans at an early stage with their?employing and potential host organisations.
• Equality and diversity are core values of AREF and we encourage applications by scientists irrespective of gender, colour, race, or creed.  We strongly welcome eligible applicants from francophone and lusophone countries as well as from anglophone countries.

Documents Required for Application

1. Online Application Form PART A 
2. Download the Application Form Parts B-F, to fill and upload on to the online application form.
3. Download and complete the Application Form Part G - Signature Page, then submit on to the online application. 

Application Deadline

How to Apply

1. Read the Application Scheme Information.
2. Thoroughly review the Guidance on Completing the Application Forms.
3. AREF Terms and Conditions.

You can read more about our fellowship, and what kind of topics our Fellows who come from all over Africa have been researching. 

Should you have any further questions that are not contained in information, please email [email protected] by 8 September 2023. 

For more details, visit AREF website.