African Think Tank Platform (ATTP) Call for Proposals 2025: Funding for Policy Research, Regional Collaboration, and Capacity Building

Illustrative Image: African Think Tank Platform (ATTP) Call for Proposals 2025: Funding for Policy Research, Regional Collaboration, and Capacity Building
Image Source & Credit: Opportunities for Youth
Ownership and Usage Policy

Application Form and Guidelines

The African Think Tank Platform (ATTP) is an ambitious initiative designed to strengthen Africa’s ability to conduct high-quality policy research and foster evidence-based policymaking on urgent cross-border priorities.

Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the African Union Commission (AUC), the ATTP serves as a long-term mechanism to support, connect, and empower African think tanks. It focuses on generating solutions for the continent’s most pressing challenges, including:

• Economic transformation and governance

• Climate change and environmental resilience

• Regional trade and market integration

• Food security and agricultural development

• Human capital formation and social development

• Digitalization and technological advancement

A central feature of the platform is its commitment to inclusivity and collaboration. In particular, the ATTP emphasizes:

• Regional cooperation, ensuring think tanks from different African subregions work together on cross-boundary issues.

• Gender equity, by strengthening the representation and leadership of women in policy research and advocacy.

• Institutional capacity building, helping think tanks move beyond research production to active participation in policymaking processes at both regional and continental levels.

Through this Call for Proposals, the ATTP invites consortia of African think tanks to apply for funding and become part of this transformative initiative. Successful consortia will generate research of continental significance, build institutional resilience, and engage directly with African policymakers to shape future strategies.

1. Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for funding, applicants must form a consortium of 3 to 5 African think tanks that meet the following requirements:

• Consortium Structure: One think tank must serve as the lead applicant, responsible for coordination and communication.

• Legal Registration: All member think tanks must be officially registered and headquartered in continental Africa.

• Policy Coverage: The consortium must collectively demonstrate research or policy engagement in at least four of the six ATTP priority themes (listed above).

• Strategic Alignment: Proposed activities must clearly contribute to the ATTP’s mission of:

  • Advancing evidence-based regional policy development

  • Enhancing institutional capacity for sustained impact

  • Promoting cross-country collaboration

  • Strengthening gender inclusion in research and leadership

2. Application Package

A complete application must be submitted in PDF format through the secure ATTP online portal. The package includes the following documents:

A. Application Form
Captures consortium information, proposed research focus, activities, capacity-building plans, and gender strategy. (Standard form provided – must be used.)

B. Work Plan and Budget
Includes a detailed Gantt chart of activities and a financial plan. Annual allocations must not exceed 30% of each think tank’s operating budget. (Standard template provided.)

C. Past Research and Engagement Experience
Summaries of past research or policy engagement relevant to ATTP themes. (Template provided.)

D. Audited Financial Reports
The most recent audited accounts for each consortium member to demonstrate financial soundness.

E. CVs of Key Personnel
Submitted using the standard format. Must include:

• Consortium Coordinator

• Deputy Coordinator

• Two lead researchers per participating think tank

F. Consortium Commitment Letter
Signed by all participating think tanks to confirm joint ownership of the proposal, willingness to collaborate, and commitment to implementation.

3. Registration and Submission Process

Before submission, all consortia must register online. Registration enables applicants to:

• Create a consortium profile

• Designate a lead applicant

• Receive credentials to access the secure document portal

• Upload the completed application package

The submission process is entirely digital. Applicants will receive an automatic email confirming receipt of their application.

4. Timeline

• Submission Deadline: September 24, 2025, at 23:59 East Africa Time (EAT).

• Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

5. Support for Applicants

To help applicants prepare competitive proposals, the ATTP Secretariat provides:

• Direct Contact Support: Queries can be addressed to attpinfo@africanunion.org.

• Informational Webinars: Live sessions covering ATTP objectives, proposal design, budgeting, and common mistakes.

Webinar Schedule:

• July 24, 2025 – Launch of ATTP Call for Proposals

• August 5, 2025 – First follow-up session

• August 26, 2025 – Second follow-up session

• September 8, 2025 – Third follow-up session

• September 23, 2025 – Final support session

6. Online Registration Form (Stage 1 – Basic Information)

Applicants must provide the following:

• Lead Think Tank Name

• Country of Registration

• Consortium Name

• Consortium Members (list all)

• Sub-Region (West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, North Africa, Southern Africa)

• Focus Areas (minimum of 4 selected from ATTP’s six thematic areas)

• Official Contact Email of Lead Think Tank/Consortium

• Countries Covered (select from full list of AU member states)

Conceptual Elaboration

The African Think Tank Platform is not merely a funding mechanism; it is envisioned as a continental knowledge ecosystem. Its purpose is to ensure that African policy debates and decisions are informed by African-generated research, contextual expertise, and regional collaboration.

In today’s interconnected world, issues such as climate change, trade, food security, and digitalization cannot be solved within national borders alone. They require regional responses backed by strong, locally rooted evidence. The ATTP will:

• Reduce Africa’s dependency on externally generated research by empowering African voices in global policy arenas.

• Build networks of trust and collaboration among African think tanks, enabling them to share knowledge, avoid duplication, and amplify impact.

• Serve as a bridge between research and policy, ensuring that evidence influences decision-making at the AU, RECs (Regional Economic Communities), and national governments.

• Promote inclusive participation, particularly by strengthening opportunities for women researchers and leaders, who remain underrepresented in many African policy institutions.

Ultimately, the ATTP represents a strategic investment in Africa’s intellectual infrastructure—ensuring that solutions to Africa’s challenges are designed and led by Africans themselves.

Click here to Apply