If you’re an emerging health researcher in Africa, this could be the perfect opportunity to take your career to the next level.

The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) is inviting applications for its Essential Grant Writing Skills Programme.

This program aims to equip early-career biomedical and health researchers with the skills needed to write strong grant proposals and secure funding for vital research projects.

Program Overview

The programme will run over two months, starting with eight interactive sessions, each lasting three hours.

The sessions will be divided into two parts: the first begins on March 17, 2025, and the second on May 5, 2025.

Between these two parts, there will be a six-week break.

During this break, you’ll be expected to write a mini-proposal and take part in peer review activities to improve your skills.

This is an intensive training course designed to guide you through the process of developing a comprehensive grant proposal by the end of the programme.

It’s important to note that the programme requires a full commitment from you, including additional work outside of the live sessions.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is aimed at health researchers who are early in their careers and looking to secure independent funding for their projects.

Ideal candidates will likely have experience with smaller grants but haven’t yet secured major funding.

The programme is especially beneficial for those working in African countries facing significant health challenges.

If you’re in the early stages of your research career and passionate about making an impact in public health, this could be for you.

What You’ll Learn

Throughout this comprehensive programme, you’ll cover all the critical aspects of grant writing, helping you craft a winning proposal.

Key topics include:

Identifying and expressing your unique research niche
Formulating a strong and compelling research question
Understanding what funders are looking for in proposals
Writing in clear, concise, and accessible language
Structuring various sections of your proposal effectively
Writing a compelling Case for Support or Project Description
Creating a solid project plan and budget
Managing research teams and collaborations
Preparing for fellowship interviews
Practicing peer review techniques

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this programme, you need to meet the following criteria:

Be a citizen of an African country.
Be in the early stages of your research career and have completed your education.
Hold a research doctorate (PhD/DPhil/MD) awarded within the past six years, or have a medical/clinical qualification plus a research-relevant Master’s degree awarded within the past six years (on or after January 1, 2019).
Be employed at a recognized university or research institution in Africa.
Have not previously participated in similar grant-writing training.
Have a significant role in conducting health research at your current institution.
Not yet have a significant portfolio of international research grants (combined value of £250,000 or more).

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed based on:

Your research experience, outputs, and achievements as an emerging researcher.
How you plan to use the training to advance your career and tackle key health challenges in Africa.
Your commitment to sharing the knowledge you gain with others in your research community.
Your proficiency in English, as the programme will be conducted in this language.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the programme is January 8, 2025.

If you meet the eligibility requirements and are eager to enhance your research skills, be sure to submit your application before the deadline to seize this valuable opportunity.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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