The Africa Research Excellence Fund is pleased to launch the
call for the 2025/26 AREF Research Development Fellowship
Programme.
Programme Overview
Aim. To support researchers in Africa who are
emerging leaders and working on important challenges for human health, to
develop their skills as a researcher.
What we offer. A three to nine-month placement
at a leading research institution in the UK, Europe or Africa, with additional
support at your home institution before and after the placement. Up to £47,000
available
Who is eligible? Early career researchers. These
are research active post-doctoral scientists and clinicians with higher
qualifications who are nationals of and employed in Africa (see detailed
eligibility criteria).
How to apply. Read the guidance documents
carefully before developing your proposal and starting your
application. Complete the application form via the portal at https://programmes.aref-africa.org.uk/
Deadline for submission of all application documents:
13.00 hours GMT on 27 June 2025
Decisions. We will notify applicants of the
outcomes of their applications by December 2025.
Fellowships. Successful Fellowships can start
between June 2026 and no later than December 2026.
Questions. Should you have any further questions
that are not contained in the scheme information document, please contact us
via the “Contact Us” section on the portal which can be found on the lefthand
panel on your homepage preferably by 20 June 2025
It is essential that you discuss your plans for an AREF
Fellowship in the context of your career development with appropriate leaders
within your Employing Organisation and Host Organisation at an early stage. You
need your sponsors and other senior people to agree and support your
plans.
AREF does not reimburse your Employing Organisation for your
salary while you are away on placement: we do, however, support reasonable
accommodation, travel and subsistence, and training costs.
Guidance documents
3. AREF
Terms and Conditions .This is also available on the portal
You can read more about our fellowship, and
what kind of topics our
Fellows who come from Africa have been researching.
Next steps:
We will be hosting information sessions, and providing more
insights about the Research Development Fellowships to applicants. You can stay
connected by Following our Twitter and LinkedIn for updates, and subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to
hear about our opportunities.