Applications are now open for the African Researchers’ Small Grants Program (SGP VIII) Early-Career Grants, an initiative of the African Research Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ARNTD) in partnership with the Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (COR-NTD).
Funded by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the programme supports early-career African researchers conducting implementation research that addresses operational and programmatic challenges in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The initiative aims to strengthen African research leadership, generate evidence to improve NTD service delivery, and build long-term research capacity across the continent.
Application Deadline
Applications close on 24 August 2026 at 17:00 GMT, Successful applicants will be announced after the review process.
What is Offered
Selected applicants will receive:
- Research grants of up to USD 5,000 per project.
- Funding to conduct implementation research over a 10-month project period.
- Mentorship and supervision from experienced NTD researchers.
- Capacity building in grant writing, research management, and implementation research.
- Opportunities to strengthen collaboration with national NTD programmes, policymakers, and research institutions.
- Support to generate evidence that informs policy and improves NTD programme implementation.
A maximum of four grants will be awarded under this funding round.
Priority research areas include:
- Equitable delivery of NTD interventions to underserved and vulnerable populations.
- Addressing the needs of women and girls within NTD programmes.
- Integration of NTD services into Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Health Systems Strengthening (HSS).
- Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) and Disease Management, Disability and Inclusion (DMDI).
- Integration of NTDs into sectors such as education, One Health, and climate health.
- Improving the uptake and implementation of evidence-based strategies for NTD control and elimination.
The programme primarily supports research focused on trachoma, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, and visceral leishmaniasis.
Who Should Apply
Applicants must:
- Be an early-career African researcher based at a university or research institution in Africa.
- Hold a Master’s degree with research experience, be enrolled in a PhD programme, have earned a doctoral degree within the last five years, or be a clinician with relevant research training.
- Not have previously received an SGP grant as Principal Investigator or managed a research grant valued at USD 100,000 or more.
- Not currently hold the rank of Associate Professor or a more senior academic position.
- Demonstrate that the proposed research aligns with their country’s NTD programme and addresses an identified implementation challenge.
- Obtain written mentorship support from a senior NTD researcher with a proven research track record.
Female researchers, applicants new to NTD research, and researchers returning from health- or family-related career breaks are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications are accepted in English, French, and Portuguese. However, shortlisted applicants will be required to submit their full proposal and supporting documentation in English.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should:
- Complete the online application form before the application deadline.
- Download and complete the official budget template provided in the application portal.
- Upload the completed budget using the prescribed template along with all required supporting documents.
- Ensure the application satisfies all eligibility requirements and the application checklist before submission.
Incomplete applications, submissions received after the deadline, or applications submitted without the required budget template will not be considered.
For additional information, see official call document HERE. Applicants are encouraged to review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Enquiries should be sent to secretariat@arntd.org with the subject line “Inquiry SGP VIII.”
