Call for applications: African Research Leaders 2023

Lack of grant funding and research infrastructure in many sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries can make it difficult to attract and retain talented African scientists. As a result, African nationals are currently under-represented as leaders in medical research in the region. The African Research Leaders scheme aims to attract and retain exceptionally talented ‘rising star’ individuals who will lead high quality research on key global health issues pertinent to SSA.
 
This UK MRC-funded scheme seeks to support talented early-to-mid career African researchers who are either already based in a SSA country, or currently working overseas and wish to return to a SSA country. Researchers should be supported by an enthusiastic local research environment and by a UK-based mentor as part of a partnership between the African and UK institutions. The UK partner institution may be any eligible UK research institution, including MRC institutes and university units based in the UK.
 
The African research leadership proposal should be submitted in partnership with a UK co-investigator (mentor) offering relevant opportunities.
 
Eligibility:

You can apply for this opportunity if you are a researcher based at an eligible African research institution with sufficient research capacity to manage and deliver research.

The African candidate will:

Have completed a PhD

Be well-qualified for academic research having spent at least the last three years in active research (post-PhD)

Be building a track record of independence in their selected field and demonstrating promise as a future research leader

 
Award details:

Awards will provide support for up to five years.

The requested amount should not exceed £750,000 in total.