[Research Funding – October 2025] AREF Excell for Malaria Research Leadership in Africa

Deadline: 15th october 2025

(Downloadable below)

The AREF ExCELL Malaria Researcher & Leadership Development Programme empowers high-achieving post-doctoral malaria researchers across Africa. Funded by a US $4.48 million multi-year grant (2025–2028), it aims to build individual leadership capacity, strengthen institutional support structures, and foster pan-African networks to tackle malaria as a shared continental health challenge

Objectives

• Develop research leadership among African malaria researchers
• Enhance institutional capacity through structured projects and coaching
• Promote intracontinental collaboration and network building
• Equip researchers to secure further funding and translate research into health impact

Selection Criteria

To be eligible, the candidate must :

• Nominee must be a national of an African state
• Employed in an African institution with a defined role in malaria research
• 2–8 years post-PhD research experience, or MD+research master’s with 4–8 years experience
• Must not have participated in a previous ExCELL programme
• Research focus may be laboratory, clinical, behavioural, public health, environmental, mathematical, or health systems–oriented, and aligned with national malaria research strategies

Institutions will be assessed based on:

• Their malaria research and capacity development strategy
• Supportive infrastructure and research culture
• Clear integration plan for Excell programme outcomes
• Competitive malaria research portfolio
• Transparent and inclusive nomination process

Priority Thematic Areas

Research topics must fall within the following areas :

• Leadership and management of malaria research projects
• Effective research practices and grant‑writing (“The Compelling Applicant”)
• Research management, ethics, and responsibility
• Translational impact: engagement with policy, practice, and communities
• Institutional change: embedding long-term researcher development structures.

How to apply ?

To apply, we have to  :

• Institutional Leads (mid- to senior-level malaria researchers) must coordinate internal competition to nominate up to five early-career researchers. 
• Nomination includes individual CVs, research summaries, and institutional support project proposals (up to US $50,000 over two years).

Required documents (in PDF format):

• Completed and signed application form
• Letter of institutional support from the Sponsor
• Short CVs of the Institutional Lead and nominees
• Supporting appendices (organogram, research strategy excerpts, data on malaria research output)
• Application forms and CVs for up to five nominated researchers
• Documentation of a fair and transparent nomination process

Each institution may submit only one application. Institutions should name files according to the naming guidance and prepare documents well ahead of the deadline.

Complete the application via the AREF online portal : programmes.aref‑africa.org.uk.

Clôture : 15th october 2025 at 16:00 GMT.

Download the call of application

About the organization

The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) is dedicated to nurturing and supporting the next generation of African researchers in health and biomedical sciences. Based in the UK and working across the continent, AREF strengthens research leadership capacity through targeted fellowships, training programmes, and institutional partnerships. Its mission is to support talented African scientists to lead world-class research that improves health and well-being across Africa.  Siteweb : https://africaresearchexcellencefund.org.uk/