UNESCO Research Grant 2026 for Researchers in Africa with Funding of Up to $2,000

The UNESCO research continuity grant for Africa supports natural-science researchers whose work has been interrupted by conflict or a natural or biological hazard. The first pilot call offers six institutional grants of up to USD 2,000 each to eligible researchers based at recognized universities or research institutes in African countries. Applications are due by 15 November 2026 at 23:59 Paris time.

About the Research Continuity Grant

This is the first pilot call under UNESCO’s Science for Crisis Response and Solutions (SCRS) Programme. The grants are intended to help researchers resume or complete a clearly defined part of interrupted research, preserve valuable data and scientific capacity, and strengthen research continuity in crisis-affected settings. Proposed activities must be completed within six months and remain within the USD 2,000 grant ceiling.

Funding may support consumables and small research supplies, local fieldwork and research travel, and data collection, processing or secure storage. It may also cover minor equipment repair or essential short-term access to equipment or facilities. Laboratory costs, publication costs and open-access costs are also listed as eligible forms of support when directly linked to the interrupted research.

The grant does not cover salary replacement, honoraria, personal allowances, international relocation, long-term subsistence, major equipment, construction, institutional overheads or activities unrelated to the interrupted research. Applicants should therefore define a focused set of research activities that fits both the purpose of the call and the available funding.

Research must be in the natural sciences. Interdisciplinary proposals are eligible when they have a substantial natural-science component. The interruption must have resulted from an armed conflict or a natural or biological hazard within the previous three years, or the research must continue to be materially affected by the consequences. Applications are welcome from African countries that meet the crisis criteria. Women scientists, researchers under 40, and researchers from least developed countries and Small Island Developing States in Africa are particularly encouraged to apply. Researchers seeking other funding options can browse grants and funding opportunities or explore other opportunities for youth.

Who Should Apply

This call is intended for African nationals based at a recognized university or research institute in an African country. Applicants need at least a master’s degree or an equivalent recognized research qualification in a relevant field, and their proposal must address research affected by a qualifying crisis. They should be able to complete the proposed activities within six months, provide a signed support letter from an authorized representative of their host institution, and confirm that the same costs are not funded from another source.

Key Highlights

• Six institutional grants are available in this first pilot call.
• Each grant provides up to USD 2,000.
• Proposed activities must be completed within six months.
• The call supports interrupted natural-science research in eligible African crisis-affected settings.
• The application form may be completed in English or French.
• Deadline: 15 November 2026, 23:59 Paris time.