As climate change continues to reshape the health landscape across Africa, a new funding opportunity is giving researchers and organizations the support they need to find real, local solutions.

The Association of African Universities (AAU) has unveiled the CHINNOVA Small Grants Program, a major initiative designed to empower institutions working at the intersection of climate change and public health.

This new program could be a game-changer for African innovators looking to turn bold ideas into practical action.

With up to $70,000 in funding per project, the grants are aimed at helping teams across West and Central Africa strengthen health systems and build resilience against climate-driven risks.

Bridging the Gap Between Climate and Health

Africa faces an urgent challenge: rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and food insecurity are putting millions of lives at risk.

Yet, very few funding programs specifically focus on research that connects these climate and health issues.

That’s where CHINNOVA (the Climate Change and Health Innovation Hub for West and Central Africa) steps in.

Established in 2024 under the Advancing Research for Climate and Health (ARCH) initiative, CHINNOVA’s goal is to spark collaborative, gender-inclusive, and evidence-based research that addresses the realities of African communities.

What Grantees Will Receive

Each selected project will receive up to USD 70,000, with the program committing a total of USD 700,000 across 8 to 10 projects.

Funded initiatives will run for up to 18 months, from 2026 to 2027.

The grants cover a wide range of research costs, including salaries, data collection, fieldwork, workshops, travel, equipment, training, and even indirect expenses (up to 13%).

But the benefits go far beyond funding. Successful applicants will also gain access to CHINNOVA’s expert network, capacity-building workshops, and peer exchange sessions hosted across Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana — providing an invaluable platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Who Can Apply

The program is open to legally registered organizations based in West or Central Africa, including:

Universities and research institutions
NGOs with an active research mandate
Public or private organizations involved in climate and health initiatives

Applicants are encouraged to form multi-stakeholder consortia, bringing together both research institutions and civil society groups.

To qualify, applicants must demonstrate proven experience in research, solid financial management, and a commitment to ethical, inclusive practices.

Eligible countries include Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Research Priorities

CHINNOVA is calling for projects that directly address Africa’s most pressing climate-health challenges. Priority areas include:

Health system preparedness for climate shocks such as floods, droughts, or heatwaves
Building robust data systems that integrate climate and health information
Tackling vector- and water-borne diseases like malaria and cholera
Promoting gender and social equity in health outcomes
Developing innovative policy frameworks that link climate and health strategies

Important Dates to Remember

Call Opened: October 9, 2025
Expression of Interest (optional): by October 25, 2025
Full Proposal Deadline: November 15, 2025 (6:00 PM GMT)
Notification of Selected Projects: January 2026
Project Start Date: February 2026

Tips for a Winning Proposal

If you’re planning to apply, here are a few strategies that can make your proposal stand out:

Be clear and concise. Define your problem, explain your methods, and highlight the outcomes you aim to achieve.
Show gender inclusion. Explain how your project benefits women, children, and marginalized groups.
Collaborate widely. Strong proposals often involve partners across multiple countries or disciplines.
Budget wisely. CHINNOVA values realistic budgets that reflect local standards and cost-effectiveness.
Plan for ethics approval. Projects involving human participants must show ethical clearance from local or institutional review boards.

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted online through the CHINNOVA Grants Management Portal at 👉 https://grants.chinnova.aau.org

Steps to apply:

Register or log in to the CHINNOVA portal.
Choose “CHINNOVA Small Grants Call” under Open Calls.
Complete all required fields and upload your documents — including your proposal, budget, CVs, and institutional letters.
Double-check your submission before sending it off.

Keep in mind that late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

A Step Toward a Healthier, Climate-Resilient Africa

By backing local researchers and innovators, the CHINNOVA Small Grants Program is helping Africa take control of its climate-health future.

It’s more than just funding — it’s a call for collaboration, creativity, and sustainable change led by African experts for African communities.