Education Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA), together with VVOB – Education for Development and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), has announced a major research funding initiative under the African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL). Supported by the Mastercard Foundation, the programme seeks to strengthen the evidence base on school leadership across the continent by funding African researchers to generate context-specific, policy-relevant insights. Overview of the Grant Opportunity The initiative offers funding for two types of action research projects: Descriptive Action Research: Up to $15,000 per grant Comparative Action Research: Up to $35,000 per grant The programme aims to address the documented gap in high-quality, locally grounded research on school leadership. Existing studies remain limited, fragmented, and insufficiently connected to educational system priorities. By directly supporting African researchers, the initiative seeks to improve the quality of evidence available to policymakers, practitioners, and advocacy groups. Key Details Application Deadline: Sunday, 11 January 2026 at 11:59 pm GMT Eligible Countries: Tanzania (mainland and Zanzibar) and other eligible African countries Research Duration: 12 months for Descriptive Action Research 24 months for Comparative Action Research Information Webinar: Tuesday, 2 December 2025, 12:00 pm–1:30 pm GMT (3:00–4:30 pm EAT) Application Links: Grant enquiry form and application portal are accessible through ESSA’s website Grant Distribution Tanzania (Mainland and Zanzibar) Descriptive Action Research: 10 grants of up to $15,000 each Comparative Action Research: 4 grants of up to $35,000 each Other African Countries Descriptive Action Research: 15 grants of up to $15,000 each Comparative Action Research: 10 grants of up to $35,000 each Frequently asked questions for both categories are provided on the ESSA website for additional guidance. Why This Research Matters ACSL’s evidence reviews and consultations with stakeholders indicate a significant shortage of research focused on school leadership across African education systems. Existing studies often lack consistency, depth, or direct connection to policy and system-level reform. This limits the ability of governments and institutions to design effective policies and strategies that strengthen leadership and improve school performance. Furthermore, many African researchers face barriers to accessing research funding, frequently relying on personal or institutional resources to support their projects. By offering substantial financial support and placing emphasis on locally driven research, this initiative seeks to shift the research landscape towards greater equity, representation, and relevance. Value of Funding African Researchers The programme is committed to elevating African research expertise by: Supporting the production of contextually grounded evidence Strengthening local research capacity Enhancing policy relevance and advocacy outcomes Ensuring African stakeholders shape the knowledge and narratives informing school leadership reform This aligns with ESSA’s broader mission to centre African voices in education research and decision-making. Eligibility Criteria The initiative welcomes applications from: African researchers based in Africa Individuals holding a PhD and affiliated with an African university, research institution, government department, or recognised knowledge organisation Experienced researchers without a PhD who can demonstrate a strong research track record Applications that incorporate the following elements are strongly encouraged: Collaboration with early-career researchers Inclusion of women researchers Participation of practitioners, including head teachers and middle-tier educators Representation of diverse geographical contexts All proposed research must align with one or more priority school leadership themes described in the concept note. Strategic Importance of School Leadership Research School leadership has a critical influence on educational quality, equity, and system resilience. Effective leadership strengthens teaching and learning environments, improves student performance, and ensures that schools are responsive to local challenges. By generating new evidence, the initiative aims to support reforms that enhance leadership capabilities and drive systemic improvement across African education systems. Moving Forward Eligible African researchers are encouraged to apply and contribute to a growing body of knowledge that will shape the future of school leadership on the continent. The initiative represents an opportunity to advance local scholarship, influence policy, and build collaborative networks across regions. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. 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