The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) has officially opened applications for the 2026/2027 Research Development Fellowship Programme, a prestigious opportunity designed to strengthen the capacity of early-career African researchers working on critical human health challenges.
This fellowship is specifically designed to help emerging African research leaders enhance their skills, build international collaborations, and accelerate their academic careers. Selected fellows will receive funding of up to £47,000 and gain access to a three to nine-month research placement at a leading institution in the United Kingdom, Europe, or Africa.
The AREF Research Development Fellowship aims to support talented researchers who are committed to improving health outcomes in Africa by strengthening their research capabilities and leadership potential.
Application Deadline: 08 May 2026 at 13:00 GMT
About the Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF)
The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting the development of world-class research leadership across Africa, particularly in areas related to human health and biomedical research.
AREF’s mission is to help African researchers develop the skills, networks, and opportunities needed to become independent leaders in global health research.
Through targeted fellowships, training programmes, and mentoring opportunities, AREF seeks to strengthen Africa’s research ecosystem and contribute to evidence-based solutions for major health challenges affecting the continent.
Aim of the AREF Research Development Fellowship
The primary goal of the AREF Research Development Fellowship (RDF) is to support early-career African researchers who are emerging leaders in health research.
The programme aims to:
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Develop the research skills and leadership capacity of African scientists.
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Enable researchers to gain exposure to world-class research environments.
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Foster international collaborations and mentorship opportunities.
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Strengthen research capacity within African institutions.
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Support innovative research addressing important human health challenges affecting Africa and the world.
The fellowship helps researchers gain practical experience that will allow them to advance their research careers and contribute meaningfully to global health science.
What the Fellowship Offers
The AREF Research Development Fellowship provides significant financial and professional support to selected fellows.
Financial Support
Successful applicants can receive up to £47,000, which may cover:
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Accommodation during the placement
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Travel expenses
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Subsistence costs
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Training expenses
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Research-related costs
It is important to note that AREF does not reimburse the fellow’s employing institution for their salary during the placement.
Research Placement Opportunity
A key feature of the fellowship is the opportunity to undertake a three to nine-month placement at a leading research institution.
Possible host institutions include those located in:
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The United Kingdom
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Europe
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Africa
During this placement, fellows will work closely with experienced researchers and mentors to develop advanced research skills, expand their professional networks, and gain exposure to international research environments.
Additional Support Before and After Placement
The fellowship programme is designed to provide long-term career development support.
Support includes:
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Preparation activities before the placement
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Professional development during the fellowship
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Continued support and mentoring after returning to the fellow’s home institution
This ensures that fellows can transfer newly acquired knowledge and skills back to their institutions in Africa, thereby strengthening local research capacity.
Why This Fellowship Matters
The AREF Research Development Fellowship represents one of the most important capacity-building opportunities for African health researchers.
The programme helps:
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Strengthen research leadership across Africa
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Build sustainable research careers
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Promote international collaboration
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Improve health research outcomes across the continent
By empowering emerging African researchers, AREF contributes to long-term improvements in global health research and innovation.
Fellowship Timeline
The AREF Research Development Fellowship follows a structured timeline.
Key Dates
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Call for applications: Open now
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Application deadline: 08 May 2026 (13:00 GMT)
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Outcome notification: December 2026
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Fellowship start window: June 2027 – December 2027
Successful fellows must begin their fellowship placement within this timeframe.
Who Can Apply
The fellowship is targeted at early-career African researchers who are actively engaged in research related to human health.
Eligible applicants include:
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Postdoctoral scientists
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Clinicians engaged in research
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Early career academics working in health-related fields
Applicants must demonstrate strong research potential and leadership capability.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the AREF Research Development Fellowship, applicants must meet several key requirements.
Nationality and Employment
Applicants must:
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Be nationals of an African country
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Be employed by an African research or academic institution
Career Stage
Eligible candidates must be:
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Early career researchers
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Postdoctoral scientists or clinicians with advanced research qualifications
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Actively involved in health research
Research Focus
The applicant’s research must address important challenges related to human health.
The fellowship supports research areas that contribute to:
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Improving health outcomes
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Advancing biomedical research
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Addressing major public health challenges
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Developing innovative healthcare solutions
Host Institution Requirements
Applicants must secure a host research institution for their fellowship placement.
Host institutions may be located in:
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The United Kingdom
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Europe
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Africa
It is strongly recommended that applicants engage with their host institutions early in the application process to ensure alignment with their research objectives.
Institutional Support Requirement
Applicants are also required to discuss their fellowship plans with senior leaders within their employing institution.
Support from the home institution is essential because:
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Fellows will be away for 3 to 9 months
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Institutional backing ensures successful reintegration after the fellowship
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Senior mentors may provide career guidance during the programme
Application Process
Applicants must carefully review the official guidance documents before starting their application.
Steps to Apply
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Review the Scheme Information document
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Read the Application Guidance
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Prepare the research proposal and required documents
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Submit the completed application through the online portal
Applications must be submitted via the official AREF fellowship portal.
Application Portal:
https://programmes.aref-africa.org.uk/
Guidance Documents Available
Applicants are encouraged to consult the following documents before applying:
These resources provide detailed information about eligibility, application preparation, and fellowship expectations.
Contact Information
Applicants who require additional information may submit questions through the Contact Us section of the fellowship portal.
Applicants are encouraged to submit questions before 27 April 2026.
Click HERE to learn more about the Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) and discover more global fellowship opportunities on OFY HERE.
