Curated Calls for Research Funding & Fellowships (2026)

A globally open programme supporting rigorous, intellectually ambitious education research. Projects must be clearly research-focused — not programme evaluations, curriculum development, or non-education topics. Principal Investigators at non-profit and public/governmental institutions worldwide are eligible.

Eligibility

• PI and any Co-PIs must hold an earned doctoral degree.
• PI must be affiliated with a non-profit or public/governmental institution — UNIMA qualifies.
• Graduate students may be part of the team but cannot serve as PI or Co-PI.
• PIs and Co-PIs may only hold one active Spencer research grant at a time.
• Proposals accepted internationally; must be in English with budgets in USD.

What is Funded

Research projects contributing to the improvement of education, broadly conceived. Any discipline, methodology, design, or location is eligible.

What is NOT Funded

Programme evaluations, professional development, curriculum development, assessment tool creation, scholarships, capital projects, or software development without a significant research component.

How to Apply

Submit a full proposal through the Spencer Foundation online portal. Elements include: proposal narrative, project timeline (1 page max), project team description, budget, PI and Co-PI CVs, and optional appendices. No pre-proposal or letter of intent required.

www.spencer.org/grant_types/small-research-grant

A global AgTech startup competition seeking early-stage, technology-driven ventures with transformative solutions for food security and sustainable agriculture. In 2025 the challenge attracted applicants from over 60 countries. Submissions are narrowed to 10 finalists, then 3 travel to Des Moines to pitch live.

Eligibility

• Early-stage, for-profit startups in the AgTech space (validated concepts through to pre-Series A).
• At least one founder is working full-time on the project.
• Must demonstrate innovation, market potential, and alignment with sustainability goals.
• Open globally — startups from Malawi and across Africa are eligible.

Evaluation Criteria

Innovation/novelty and potential impact; agricultural sector market viability; environmental and social sustainability; scalability and replicability across diverse regions.

Key Timeline

worldfoodprize.org/innovate_for_impact_challenge

A joint programme enabling postdoctoral researchers living and working in Sub-Saharan Africa to undertake a 3-month cooperation visit to a research institute in Germany. Aims to initiate new research collaborations. All academic disciplines are eligible. Women scientists are especially encouraged.

Eligibility

• Nationals of sub-Saharan African countries holding a research position at an African institution.
• PhD obtained in 2021 or later (women may extend up to 2 years per child, max 6 years).
• At least 5 years' engagement in an African science system.
• Applicants already in Germany, or with established collaborations with the proposed host, are not eligible.
• Previous TWAS-DFG recipients are not eligible to reapply.

Key Timeline

twas.org – TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits

MSCA Staff Exchanges promote international, inter-sectoral, and interdisciplinary collaboration through staff exchanges across all stages of the innovation chain. Staff must return to their sending organisation after secondment to ensure long-term knowledge transfer.

Eligibility

• Consortium must include at least 3 independent organisations from 3 different countries.
• At least 2 must be in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
• Must include both academic and non-academic organisations.
• UNIMA (LMIC institution) may join as an associated partner eligible to receive EU funding.

What is Funded

Top-up allowance for travel/accommodation/subsistence; research, training, and networking activities; management and indirect costs. Does NOT cover salaries or equipment purchases.

MSCA Staff Exchanges 2026 – Official Call

A global open call seeking nonprofits, academic institutions, and social enterprises building transformative AI-powered solutions to accelerate scientific breakthroughs. In addition to funding, selected organisations may participate in a 6-month Google.org Accelerator (optional).

Focus Areas

• AI for Health & Life Sciences: Improve understanding of human life to ultimately improve health and wellbeing.
• AI for Climate Resilience & Environmental Science: Build a deeper understanding of planetary living systems for a more resilient Earth.
• Proposals in other fields also considered under the "Other" category.

Eligibility

Nonprofits, social enterprises, academic institutions, and research institutions worldwide. AI must be a central element of the project. Open-source outputs required.

How to Apply

Apply online via the application portal. This is an extensive Letter of Intent (LOI) — not a full proposal. A budget estimate with a general breakdown (3–5 categories) is requested. Indirect cost rates typically fall within 10%–12%.

google.org/impact-challenges/ai-science

ICGEB's flagship research funding programme. International collaboration is mandatory. Supports original research in basic life sciences, human healthcare, industrial and agricultural biotechnology, and bioenergy.

Eligibility

PI must be based at a university or research institute in an ICGEB Member State. Note: Malawi is not currently listed as an ICGEB Member State. UNIMA researchers may apply in partnership (as an international collaborator) with a researcher at an eligible Member State institution.

Themes

Basic science; human healthcare; industrial and agricultural biotechnology; bioenergy.

How to Apply

Apply via the ICGEB Service Gateway (icgeb.org). Must obtain UNIMA endorsement before submission. A collaboration letter from the international partner is required.

icgeb.org – CRP Grants

The SGCI is a continental platform to strengthen national Science Granting Councils (SGCs) across Africa. This call funds an organisation or consortium with expertise in research and innovation management to establish and operate the SGCI Capacity Strengthening Hub.

Eligibility

Organisations or consortia with demonstrated expertise in research and innovation management and experience supporting capacity strengthening of Science Granting Councils in sub-Saharan Africa. UNIMA could apply as part of a consortium focused on building the capacity of African SGCs, including Malawi's NCST.

Themes

Research and innovation management; science policy; capacity strengthening for national science granting councils.

IDRC – SGCI Official Call

Supports innovative research on how digital public infrastructure (DPI) systems — digital ID, digital payments, and consent-based data exchange — can be designed responsibly to serve underserved populations. Multi-country research is welcome but must be locally grounded.

Eligibility

Research institutions, independent researchers, and collaborative partnerships (especially those including local stakeholders). Research must be anchored in specific countries or regions.

How to Apply

Submit a research note (up to 1,000 words describing the research question, relevance, and expected contribution), methodology, team details, timeline, and high-level budget. Finalists are invited to submit a detailed budget in a second phase.

centerforfinancialinclusion.org – 2026 Call

Enables PhD students from developing countries (other than India) to conduct research at CSIR laboratories in India.

Eligibility

• Nationals of a developing country other than India; max age 35.
• Must hold a Master's degree in science and technology.
• Must be employed and hold a research assignment in the home country.
• Must obtain a preliminary acceptance letter from a CSIR laboratory before applying.

Themes

Agricultural sciences; molecular biology; biological systems; medical and health sciences; chemical sciences; engineering; earth sciences; mathematics; physics.

How to Apply

Apply via the TWAS online portal (twas.org). Simultaneously send a copy to CSIR. Contact DRIPS to obtain the Vice-Chancellor's endorsement certificate.

twas.org – TWAS-CSIR Fellowship

AREF supports early-career African health researchers to undertake placements (3–9 months) at leading research institutions in the UK, Europe, or Africa. Includes structured career development, mentorship, and grant-writing training. Upon completion, fellows may apply for the AREF Seed Fund (up to £50,000).

Eligibility

• African nationals employed at a university or research institution in Africa (≥70% time in Africa).
• Must hold a PhD, specialist clinical qualification (e.g. FRCP), or MBBS plus a Master's with a research component.
• All African countries, including Malawi, are eligible.

Themes

Infectious diseases (HIV, TB, malaria, NTDs, emerging infections, AMR, etc.) and non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, respiratory disease, mental health, etc.) that are significant or neglected in Africa.

africaresearchexcellencefund.org.uk – RDF 2026/27

Supports educational research that contributes to understanding and disrupting racial inequality in education, and to reimagining possibilities for advancing educational equity. Open globally, including to researchers at institutions outside the US. UNIMA is directly eligible.

2026 Priority Areas

• Youth and educator mental health — exploring resilience, healing, and well-being.
• Innovative and community-based approaches to workforce development.
• Innovative approaches at the intersections of quantitative methods and racial equity.

Eligibility

PI and Co-PIs must hold an earned doctoral degree. PI must be affiliated with a non-profit or public/governmental institution — UNIMA qualifies. Proposals accepted internationally in English with budgets in USD.

spencer.org – Racial Equity Grants

African researchers are affiliated with the University of Oxford for 12 months, including a 2-month in-person visit (April–June, Trinity term 2027). Fellows are associated with an Oxford department and college. An Oxford-based collaborator must be confirmed before applying.

Partnership Streams

• AfOx-TORCH (Humanities)
• AfOx-ODID (International Development)
• AfOx-Law Faculty
• AfOx-Mathematical Institute
• AfOx-Refugee Studies Centre (RSC)
• AfOx-African Studies Centre (ASC)
• Improving Equitable Access to Healthcare (any Oxford department, LMIC focus)
• AfOx-OCIS (Islamic Studies), AfOx-Ethox (Bioethics), Oxford EARTH (Environment)
• AfOx-RAIN (Industry-linked Research)

Eligibility

National of any African country or with indefinite leave to remain in an African country; employed at an African university or research institution. Applicants must identify an Oxford collaborator prior to applying (AfOx offers matchmaking support — contact afox@ndm.ox.ac.uk).

afox.ox.ac.uk – Visiting Fellowship Programme

Funds applied research, pilot projects, new initiatives, training, and technical assistance in conservation, food/agriculture, and public health across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Middle East. Explicitly prioritises direct support to locally-led organisations.

Focus Areas

• Conservation: Biodiversity protection; climate change mitigation; scientific capacity building; partnerships with indigenous communities.
• Food & Agriculture: Sustainable agriculture; small-scale farmer capacity; pest and disease control for food crops; indigenous food sovereignty.
• Health: Reproductive health and family planning; mental and behavioural health; environmental health; zoonotic and neglected tropical diseases; nutrition.

How to Apply

Two-phase process: (1) Concept application (LOI) submitted online during the open window; (2) Invited full proposal — only a limited number of concept applicants are invited to proceed. Only one concept application per organisation per review cycle.

cfhfoundation.grantsmanagement08.com (access code: CFHgrants)

Long-term, flexible funding for established researchers and teams pursuing bold, curiosity-driven research that could transform understanding of human life, health, and wellbeing. Wellcome places a strong emphasis on LMIC-led research. Researchers based in Malawi can apply as lead or co-applicant.

Eligibility

For established researchers from any discipline: STEM, experimental medicine, humanities, social science, clinical/allied health sciences, and public health. Administering organisation must be in the UK, Ireland, or an LMIC — Malawi qualifies.

Round Dates

wellcome.org – Discovery Awards

Funding for early-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity and drive shifts in understanding of human life, health, and wellbeing. This is a sole investigator award — no co-applicants accepted. Researchers in Malawi can apply with UNIMA as the administering organisation; no UK partner required.

Eligibility

• Must have completed a PhD (viva passed by the deadline), or ≥4 years' equivalent research experience.
• No more than 3 years of postdoctoral experience at the application deadline (allowances for career breaks, parental leave, COVID-19, discipline changes).
• Must contribute at least 80% of research time (60% for clinical craft speciality).
• Administering organisation must be in UK, Ireland, or LMIC — Malawi qualifies.
• India is excluded from LMIC eligibility for this scheme.

Round Dates

wellcome.org – Early-Career Awards

Long-term, flexible funding to mid-career researchers across disciplines who have the potential to become international research leaders. This award can be held entirely in Malawi — no UK partner required. Wellcome runs dedicated webinars for LMIC applicants with live interpretation.

Eligibility

• Must hold a PhD or equivalent higher research degree.
• More than 3 years and no more than approximately 9 years of postdoctoral experience at the deadline.
• Must contribute at least 50% of research time to the award.
• Administering organisation must be in UK, Ireland, or LMIC — Malawi qualifies.

wellcome.org – Career Development Awards

Focuses on strengthening digital health records and tools, leveraging AI/machine learning for infectious disease prevention, detection, and treatment in sub-Saharan Africa, and scaling validated digital technologies at the national/sub-regional level.

Consortium Requirements

• Minimum 3 independent entities from 3 different countries (eligible for funding).
• At least 1 from an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country (EDCTP Association member).
• At least 1 from a Sub-Saharan African EDCTP Association member country.
• UNIMA can participate as a beneficiary and serve as Scientific Project Leader (SPL).

What is Funded

Coordination and support activities including: development and scale-up of digital health tools; capacity building for digital health and AI; training of healthcare workers; network building; data governance and interoperability frameworks.

EU Funding & Tenders Portal – DIGIT-02

Supports partnerships between LMIC institutions (such as UNIMA) and U.S. universities to deliver structured research training in infectious diseases (excluding HIV/AIDS). UNIMA serves as the LMIC host institution delivering in-country training activities, while a U.S. university partner leads the grant application.

Themes

Infectious diseases (non-HIV): malaria, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, antimicrobial resistance, emerging pathogens. Multidisciplinary training in basic science, epidemiology, clinical research, behavioural and social science.

Eligibility

LMIC institutions may apply directly. U.S. institutions with demonstrated LMIC collaboration may also apply (LMIC institution becomes a consortium partner). Joint applications from paired US and LMIC institutions are encouraged.

How to Apply

Identify a U.S. university partner urgently. Apply via grants.gov (PAR-24-174). Demonstrated collaboration (joint publications, grants, or previous training activities) must be evidenced. Contact: Barbara Sina, PhD — barbara_sina@nih.gov

NIH NOFO PAR-24-174

Enhances the creative and innovative potential of PhD holders who wish to acquire new skills through advanced training and international mobility. Any research topic in any field. The researcher chooses their own research topic and host institution in an EU/Associated Country.

What is Funded

• Living allowance (salary + social security, adjusted by country coefficient)
• Mobility allowance: EUR 660/month
• Family allowance: EUR 660/month (if applicable)
• Research, training, networking costs: EUR 1,000/month
• Management and indirect costs: EUR 1,000/month

Eligibility

• Open to researchers of any nationality holding a PhD.
• No more than 8 years of research experience since the PhD award.
• Must not have resided in the host country for more than 12 months in the past 36 months.
• Host must be in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.

How to Apply

The researcher identifies a host organisation and supervisor in an EU/Associated Country (key first step — see EURAXESS for hosting offers). The researcher and supervisor jointly develop the proposal. The host organisation submits via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

MSCA PF 2026 – Official Call Page

JTF supports interdisciplinary research tackling the most perplexing questions facing humankind with rigour and openness. Seeks projects that are catalysts for discoveries contributing to human flourishing. Annual endowment: USD 3.5 billion with grantmaking exceeding USD 126 million.

Application Process (Two-Stage, Mandatory)

• Stage 1 – Online Funding Inquiry (OFI): Brief online form with project title, funding area, description, outputs, outcomes, PI CV, budget estimate, and co-funding sources. Describe a specific project — not a broad or vague proposal.
• Stage 2 – Full Proposal (by invitation only): Detailed expanded proposal with required/optional file uploads. Full proposal deadline: ~January 2027.

Key 2026 Cycle Dates

templeton.org – Apply for a Grant

NIH's premier mechanism for developing the next generation of independent health research leaders in the developing world. Provides research support and protected time to an early-career LMIC researcher to pursue an intensive, mentored career development experience expected to lead to an independently funded research career.

Eligibility

• Must be a citizen or permanent resident of an eligible LMIC (World Bank classification — Malawi qualifies).
• Must hold an academic junior faculty position or research scientist appointment at the LMIC applicant institution.
• Must have been in this qualifying position for at least one year at the time of application.

Themes

Open to any health-related discipline: biomedical science, clinical medicine, epidemiology, public health, behavioural science, implementation science, health economics, biostatistics, bioinformatics, etc.

How to Apply

Submit via NIH eRA Commons / Grants.gov using Career Development (K) application forms. Contact: Christine Jessup, PhD, FIC — Christine.Jessup@nih.gov

NIH NOFO PAR-24-296