Deadline: January 16, 2027
Applications are open for the CODESRIA Research Grants on University Ecosystems 2027. With funding support from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, this current call is seeking proposals from researchers in African universities and research institutions to undertake interventions revolving around higher education, gender, academic freedom and the quality of associational life in African universities.
The project aims at supporting research and knowledge production that will foreground the four interlinked domains shaping contemporary debates on the university in Africa: the evolving landscape of higher education; the persistent and emergent gendered dynamics within academic spaces; the contested terrain of academic freedom; and the conditions that enable or constrain vibrant, inclusive associational life on campus. Embedded within the broader need to reimagine the role of the university in Africa; one that centres epistemic justice, inclusivity, academic freedom and the public good, this call seeks to encourage academics in African universities to undertake crosscutting, interdisciplinary research on sub-themes related to examining the current and future of higher education on the continent.
A central objective of the proposals to be supported under this intervention is to produce knowledge that bears significant gender and policy implications, recognizing that universities are critical sites where questions of equity, governance, academic cultures, and social transformation converge. Researchers to be supported under this call will be expected to produce high‑quality outputs acceptable for publication in reputable academic outlets and for use in policy dialogue across the continent. The expectation is that such knowledge will contribute to expanding spaces for gendered intellectual life in African universities and research networks.
Project Structure
Selected fellows will receive support for 15 months, during which they will:
- Conduct original research aligned with the programme’s thematic priorities;
- Participate in knowledge‑exchange workshops and peer‑learning forums;
- Produce at least one publishable manuscript (journal article and policy brief or equivalent);
- Contribute to public dialogue and policy engagement activities;
- Submit periodic progress reports and a final consolidated output.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be affiliated with a recognized African higher education or research institution.
- African scholars in the diaspora are encouraged to apply in collaboration with colleagues from an African-based institution.
- CODESRIA encourages applications from women scholars, early-career academics, and those affiliated with less well-resourced universities across Africa.
- Both individual and collaborative proposals are eligible. Collaborative teams should comprise 3-5 members. Interdisciplinary, inter-institutional, or multi-country research teams are strongly encouraged.
- Applicants with outstanding or pending deliverables from ongoing or previous CODESRIA-funded projects are not encouraged to apply.
Application
Submitted proposals should include the following:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): A recent CV highlighting the principal investigator’s qualifications, research experience, and relevant publications. For team applications, CVs of all members should be attached.
- Proposal Synopsis (maximum 4,000 words): The proposal should clearly articulate the following elements:
- a well-defined research question or problem statement;
- demonstrated familiarity with recent literature and discourse in the subject area;
- a conceptual or theoretical framework guiding the study;
- a concise research methodology and work plan, including timelines;
- a draft budget;
- a list of proposed outputs (scholarly and non-scholarly).
- A draft budget ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 15,000
- Institutional Affiliation
A formal letter of affiliation or endorsement from a recognized higher education or research institution.
For more information, visit CODESRIA.
