The AREF Towards Leadership programme aims to empower talented, emerging scientists in Africa to compete successfully for UKRI MRC and other major funding opportunities in global health research. Together we are investing in talented African scientists in Africa, enhancing their global health research and leadership potential.
The programme will run between Dec 2025 to Nov 2026, consisting of two residential workshops (opening and closing) and one virtual workshop.
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
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AREF-MRC Towards Leadership Programme
Aim and Benefits of AREF-MRC Towards Leadership Programme
- The costs of the workshops and associated accommodation and travel of selected nominees will be met by MRC and AREF.
Requirements for AREF-MRC Towards Leadership Programme Qualification
- You are a citizen of a country in Africa.
- You are currently employed in Africa by a recognised university and/or specialist research institution.
- You are an early career researcher, having completed your research education and are now at the early stages of leading your own research group.
- You will hold a research doctorate (PhD/DPhil/MD) from a recognised academic institution OR you have a medical/clinical qualification PLUS a research-relevant Master’s degree, both usually within the last 10 years. If it has been longer than 10 years since your last degree, please explain in your application why you should still be considered an early career researcher (i.e. caring responsibilities or career break/change impacting your research career).
- You are currently responsible for managing/supervising one or more research students and/or research staff members and are involved in building research collaborations.
- You demonstrate evidence of being at the early stages of leading a research team or being an active member of a research team conducting Global Health Research.
- A significant part of your current employee role is to develop and conduct health research.
- You already have experience in obtaining research funding (Combined value of £500,000 or less).
Interview date, Process and Venue for AREF-MRC Towards Leadership Programme
Programme Timeline:
- The opening Workshop is planned for 1-3 December 2025.
- Workshop 2 will be held virtually and is anticipated to run in April 2026.
- The closing workshop is anticipated for November 2026
Application Deadline
May 2, 2025How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to
Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) on programmes.aref-africa.org.uk to apply
For more details, visit AREF Programme webpage
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