The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) works to strengthen the health research capacity of scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa who are engaged in tackling the sub-region’s significant health challenges. We recognise the need to support a diverse community of scientists across Africa, therefore, this call is specifically open for women biomedical/health researchers.
AREF is calling for applications from women who are emerging biomedical/health researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa to participate in its Essential Grant Writing Skills Workshop. To fully benefit from this workshop series, you will be at a stage in your research career where you are actively seeking independent funding but have yet to secure that big grant necessary to support your research independence. This fully on-line programme will be held over eight 3-hour sessions during the weeks of 13th September 2021 and 18th October 2021.
There will be a four-week break in between the two sessions, during which you will be expected to write a draft of a proposal. This is an intensive and interactive programme that is designed to produce tangible progress towards a grant proposal by the end of the workshop series. Your commitment to the entire series and to the additional work outside of sessions will be necessary to achieve these outcomes.
Requirements
To be eligible, you need to provide evidence that:
- You are a woman and a citizen of a country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- EITHER you have been awarded a research doctorate (PhD/DPhil/MD) from a recognised academic institution within the previous 6 years, i.e. awarded on or after 1 January 2015); OR you have a medical/clinical qualification plus a research-relevant Master’s degree awarded within the previous 6 years.
- AND you are currently employed in Sub-Saharan Africa by a recognised university and/or specialist research institution.
- You have not participated already in equivalent proposal development / grant-writing training.
- A significant part of your current employee role is to develop and conduct health research.
- You do not already have a significant portfolio of international research grants (Combined value of $300,000 or more).
Workshop
- Developing and expressing your unique research niche
- Formulating your compelling research question
- Understanding funders’ requirements
- Writing in plain English
- Writing the different sections of a proposal
- Key parts of a typical Case for Support / Project Description
- Planning your proposal project plan and budget
- Principles of managing your collaboration and team
- Understanding and practicing peer review
- Preparing for a Fellowship interview
Application Deadline: July 8, 2021.
