The Essential Grant-Writing Skills Programme 2026 is a specialized training initiative offered by the Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF). The programme is designed to help early-career African researchers strengthen their ability to develop competitive research funding proposals. AREF focuses on improving health research capacity across Africa by equipping scientists with the skills needed to secure national, regional, and international funding. Through this online training programme, emerging researchers gain practical knowledge in proposal development, research planning, and grant-writing strategies. Programme Overview The Essential Grant-Writing Skills Programme is a fully online training series scheduled to take place during June and July 2026. It is structured to help researchers make tangible progress toward a competitive research proposal by the end of the programme. Participants will attend live virtual sessions and complete additional work between sessions, including developing a mini research proposal and reviewing proposals from peers. This intensive training programme is ideal for researchers who: Are actively pursuing independent research funding May have received small research grants Have not yet secured major international research funding The programme requires a strong commitment, including active participation during sessions and completing independent assignments outside scheduled meetings. Aim of the Programme The main objective of the programme is to empower early-career African health researchers to develop high-quality research proposals. Specifically, the programme aims to: Build grant-writing and proposal development skills Strengthen researchers’ ability to compete for international funding opportunities Support emerging scientists in developing independent research careers Improve the quality of health research addressing Africa’s key health challenges Through expert-led sessions, participants gain insights into how funding organizations evaluate research proposals. Key Topics Covered in the Programme The programme includes comprehensive training on important aspects of grant proposal writing. Key learning areas include: Identifying and developing a unique research niche Formulating a strong and compelling research question Understanding the requirements of research funders Writing proposals in clear and effective English Structuring different sections of a research proposal Developing a case for support or project description Creating a project timeline and research budget Managing collaborations and research teams Learning and practicing peer review processes Preparing for fellowship interviews These topics are taught using real-world examples of successful research funding applications. Topics Not Covered in the Programme While the programme focuses on grant-writing skills, it does not cover certain administrative or technical areas, including: Obtaining research ethics approval Completing individual funders’ application forms Intellectual property management Research communication training Additionally, facilitators will not directly assist participants with their personal research proposals. Programme Format and Schedule The training programme is delivered through interactive online sessions via Zoom. Session Schedule Part One June 1–5, 2026 Daily 3-hour sessions Time: 08:30 – 11:30 GMT Part Two July 29–31, 2026 Daily 3-hour sessions Time: 08:30 – 11:30 GMT Between the two programme parts, participants will have approximately eight weeks to work on a draft research proposal and participate in peer-review activities. Participants will also receive learning materials, exercises, and preparatory assignments to support their learning. Participant Expectations To successfully complete the programme, participants must meet several requirements. Mandatory commitments include: Attending all online sessions Actively participating in discussions and exercises Spending at least one additional hour daily on reading and preparation Writing a draft research proposal during the break period Participants are also expected to take part in programme evaluation surveys to help measure the impact of the training. Recommended requirements: Reliable internet connection with adequate bandwidth Access to a computer or laptop compatible with Zoom Ability to use a smartphone alongside the online platform Eligible Research Fields The programme welcomes applications from researchers working in disciplines related to human health challenges in Africa. Relevant fields include: Biomedicine Physiology and pharmacology Clinical sciences Epidemiology Mathematics and statistics Environmental health Veterinary science and One Health research Behavioral and mental health Public health Data science for health Social and economic sciences Health policy and systems research Eligibility Requirements To qualify for the programme, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria. Applicants must: Be a citizen of an African country Be in the early stages of their research career Be currently employed by a recognized African university or research institution Be actively involved in health research Applicants must also meet one of the following academic qualifications: Hold a research doctorate (PhD, DPhil, or MD) awarded within the last six years (since January 2020), or Hold a medical or clinical qualification plus a relevant Master’s degree, also obtained within the past six years. Additionally, applicants must: Not have previously attended similar grant-writing training Not hold a large portfolio of international research grants exceeding £250,000 Selection Criteria Applications are evaluated based on the applicant’s capacity to benefit from the training. Selection is based on factors such as: Research experience and academic achievements Evidence of emerging research leadership Vision for contributing to health research in Africa Plans to share acquired knowledge with colleagues and institutions Strong command of the English language AREF also promotes diversity and inclusivity. To ensure fairness: No more than two participants will be selected from the same institution Efforts are made to maintain gender and language balance among participants. Application Process Interested researchers must submit their applications through the AREF online application portal. The process includes: Registering an account on the programme portal. Completing the online application form. Reviewing supporting guidance and FAQs provided on the portal. Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow the instructions provided in the application guide. Important Application Dates Key dates for the 2026 programme include: Application launch: March 4, 2026 Application deadline: April 3, 2026 Notification of results: May 4, 2026 Successful applicants will receive confirmation and further instructions after the selection process is completed. APPLY HERE Final Thoughts The Essential Grant-Writing Skills Programme by the Africa Research Excellence Fund provides a valuable opportunity for emerging African researchers to strengthen their grant-writing abilities and improve their chances of securing research funding. By equipping scientists with practical proposal development skills, the programme contributes to advancing health research excellence across Africa while supporting the next generation of research leaders. 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 organization that is offering this online training. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.