Applications are now open for the AREF Research Development Fellowship Programme 2025/26 (Up to £47,000 Funding)

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Closing Date: 27 June 2025

Applications are now open for the AREF Research Development Fellowship Programme 2025/26 (Up to £47,000 Funding)

The Africa Research Excellence Fund is pleased to launch the call for the 2025/26 AREF Research Development Fellowship Programme.

Programme Overview

Aim: AREF Research Development Fellowship Programme will support researchers in Africa who are emerging leaders and working on important challenges for human health, to develop their skills as a researcher.

What the Africa Research Excellence Fund 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/

AREF will notify applicants of the outcomes of their applications by December 2025. Successful Fellowship applicants can start between June 2026 and no later than December 2026. Should you have any further questions that are not contained in the scheme information document, please contact AREF 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: AREF do, however, support reasonable accommodation, travel and subsistence, and training costs.