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Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund 2026 Call for Applications

Cambridge-Africa Programme, with support from The ALBORADA Trust

The Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund supports equitable research collaborations between postdoctoral-level researchers at the University of Cambridge or eligible affiliated institutes and researchers based at African universities or equivalent research institutions. Funding of up to £25,000 is available for collaborative research projects, while workshops and research training activities in Africa may receive up to £15,000.

Who can apply

  • Postdoctoral-level or more senior researchers based at an African university
  • Postdoctoral-level or more senior researchers based at an African research institute of equivalent standing to a university
  • Researchers based in any African country
  • Eligible University of Cambridge researchers
  • Researchers at eligible Cambridge-affiliated institutes
  • Pairs consisting of one Cambridge-based Principal Investigator and one Africa-based Principal Investigator
  • Researchers with formal employment links to their respective research departments, faculties or institutions
  • Applicants who are expected to remain employed beyond the end of the proposed ALBORADA project

Focus areas

  • Research collaboration across all academic disciplines
  • New research partnerships between Cambridge and Africa
  • Strengthening existing Cambridge-Africa research partnerships
  • Research capacity strengthening
  • Collaborative research projects
  • Research training
  • Workshops and training courses in Africa
  • Field research
  • Research equipment for use in Africa
  • Development of preliminary research for larger future funding applications

Requirements

  • Apply jointly as one Cambridge-based Principal Investigator and one Africa-based Principal Investigator
  • Ensure both Principal Investigators are at postdoctoral level or above
  • Ensure both applicants have employment links to a research group, department or faculty at their home institution
  • Obtain support from the Head of Department or equivalent at both institutions
  • Prepare a case for support covering the research and collaboration plans
  • Prepare an itemised project budget using the official template
  • Provide a support letter from the Cambridge Principal Investigator’s department or faculty
  • Provide a support letter from the African Principal Investigator’s department or institution
  • Provide CVs of no more than two pages for both Principal Investigators
  • Provide details of two independent suggested referees without conflicts of interest
  • Ensure any equipment purchased through the grant remains with the African partner institution after the project
  • Exclude overheads, PI salaries, administration costs, bench fees, conference attendance and publication costs from the requested budget

Application steps

  • Read the official 2026 call and Terms & Conditions carefully
  • Confirm that both the Cambridge and African researchers meet the postdoctoral and institutional eligibility requirements
  • Develop the research or training proposal collaboratively and prepare the required budget and supporting documents
  • Ask the Cambridge-based applicant to register first using an eligible Cambridge or affiliated-institute email address
  • Invite the Africa-based Principal Investigator through the application system to register and complete the joint application
  • Review and submit the complete application before 3 September 2026
Global Grants Hub strategic note

This opportunity is excellent for African university and research-institute researchers who already have, or can establish, a genuine research partnership with an eligible Cambridge researcher. African researchers cannot initiate the application independently; the Cambridge partner must register first and invite them. Strong proposals should show equitable collaboration, clear benefit to the African research partner and potential for longer-term joint research. This is not an NGO project grant or postgraduate scholarship. Both Principal Investigators must be postdoctoral level or above, and the fund does not pay PI salaries, institutional overheads, conference attendance or publication costs.

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