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ACSL Cohort II School Leadership Research Grants 2026 for African Education Researchers

African Centre for School Leadership in partnership with Mastercard Foundation

The African Centre for School Leadership is offering research grants to African researchers conducting practical, policy-relevant research on school leadership. Funding supports single-context and comparative studies that can strengthen leadership practice, education policy, learning outcomes and inclusive education systems across Africa.

Who can apply

  • Citizens of African countries who are currently based in Africa
  • Researchers whose proposed study focuses on one or more African countries
  • Principal Investigators with a relevant doctorate earned within the past five years
  • Multidisciplinary research teams consisting of three to five members
  • Teams able to collaborate meaningfully with school leaders, practitioners and policymakers
  • Teams including women, researchers under 35 and members at different academic levels are strongly encouraged

Focus areas

  • School leadership practice and policy
  • School leadership and improved learning outcomes
  • Action research addressing education-system challenges
  • Gender equality in school leadership and education
  • Disability inclusion
  • Leadership in rural and underserved schools
  • Education for marginalised communities
  • Collaboration between researchers, policymakers and practitioners

Requirements

  • The Principal Investigator must hold a doctorate in Education, Educational Leadership, Educational Management or a closely related field
  • The Principal Investigator’s doctorate must have been earned within the past five years
  • The research team must consist of three to five multidisciplinary members
  • The proposal must use an action-research approach
  • The research must focus on school leadership in one or more African countries
  • The proposal must demonstrate meaningful collaboration with practitioners and policymakers
  • Applicants must complete the official online application form
  • Any additional documents required within the application form must be submitted as instructed

Application steps

  • Read the official Cohort II call and eligibility conditions
  • Confirm that the Principal Investigator meets the doctorate and residency requirements
  • Form a multidisciplinary research team of three to five members
  • Prepare an action-research proposal addressing a relevant school-leadership challenge
  • Complete the official online application form and provide all requested information
  • Submit the application by 30 September 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT
Global Grants Hub strategic note

This opportunity is highly specialised and is not an organisational grant for NGOs or schools. The Principal Investigator must be African, based in Africa and hold a relevant doctorate earned within the past five years. Strong applications will present practical action research, a balanced three-to-five-person team and clear collaboration with policymakers, practitioners and school leaders. Researchers without the required recent doctorate should participate as team members rather than lead the application.

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