UK Research & Innovation African Research Leaders Programme 2023 (£750,000 award)

Sub-Saharan African countries should increase their research leadership and submit funding proposals to promote good global health research (SSA).

They want to draw in and keep “emerging stars” that are highly talented and will conduct top-notch research on important global health issues that are important to SSA. As part of a cooperation between the African and UK institutions, researchers should receive assistance from a passionate local research environment as well as from a UK-based mentor.

Award

• Awards will provide support for up to five years and the requested amount should not exceed £750,000 in total.

Eligibility

• Open to talented early-to-mid career African researchers who are either already based in a SSA country, or currently working overseas who wish to return to a SSA country.
• You can apply for this opportunity if you are a researcher based at an eligible African research institution with sufficient research capacity to manage and deliver research. This includes:
  • universities or higher education institutions based in SSA with degree-awarding powers recognised by the government in which the organisation is based. This includes the MRC units at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in Uganda and the Gambia
  • research focused institutes based in SSA either funded by the government of the country in which the organisation is based or by a not-for-profit organisation
  • research focused not-for-profit organisations based in SSA with dedicated research capacity.
• The candidate will:
  • have completed a PhD.
  • be well-qualified for academic research having spent at least the last three years in active research (post-PhD).
  • be building a track record of independence in their selected field and showing promise as a future research leader.

Outstanding candidates who do not have a PhD but who are educated to master’s level and have substantial research experience, as evidenced by their publication record, may also be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Assessment Criteria

Referees and interview panel members are asked to assess four key areas:

• the candidate for research leader
• the programme of research
• the African research environment or institution
• the African-UK institutional partnership.

Application

You must apply using the Joint Electronic Submission (Je-S) system.

You can find advice on completing your application in the:

• Je-S handbook
• MRC guidance for applicants

For more information, visit African Research Leaders.