Africa Health Collaborative Research Fund 2025: Call for Expressions of Interest for ECRs in Health Systems Strengthening

Overview of the Call

The Africa Health Collaborative (Health Collaborative) invites early-career researchers (ECRs) to submit expressions of interest for the Africa Health Collaborative Research Fund 2025. This fund is designed to foster collaborative research projects aimed at strengthening health systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly within the context of primary health care (including public health, community health, and related areas). The funding is aimed at providing initial support for high-quality research initiatives, enabling ECRs to establish partnerships that can lead to larger-scale projects and greater impact on health systems in Africa.

The Africa Health Collaborative is a collective of member institutions that are committing matching funds to support bilateral and multilateral research partnerships. Successful proposals will receive joint funding, with the potential to scale the research activities and provide foundational support for subsequent applications for larger grants. The fund will support up to 9 projects, each with a maximum funding period of 18 months.

Funding Details

• Bilateral Projects: These proposals, which involve two institutions, can receive a maximum of $22,000 USD. Each participating institution may award up to $11,000 USD to researchers at their respective institutions.
• Multilateral Projects: Proposals involving three or more institutions will be funded similarly, with $11,000 USD available per participating institution.

The funding is intended to support research activities, such as workshops, researcher exchanges, and the formation of research collaboration groups. Funding may also be used for travel expenses for ECRs, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate student researchers involved in the project, as well as research-related costs, including costs for meetings and workshops.

Eligibility

To apply for the Africa Health Collaborative Research Fund 2025, the following criteria apply:

1. Principal Investigator: The proposal must be led by an Early Career Researcher (ECR) from one of the following eligible institutions:
   • Addis Ababa University
   • African Institute for Mathematical Sciences
   • African Leadership University
   • Amref International University
   • Ashesi University
   • Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
   • Moi University
   • University of Cape Town
   • University of Toronto
2. Collaboration: Proposals can either be bilateral (involving two institutions) or multilateral (involving three or more institutions). Each proposal must include participation from masters, doctoral, or post-doctoral trainees.
3. Limitations: Eligible applicants may only serve as the principal investigator for one proposal. If an applicant does not yet have a co-investigator from another eligible institution, the applicant’s proposal will be made available publicly through a repository, allowing them to identify potential collaborators from other Health Collaborative member institutions.
4. External Collaborators: Researchers from institutions outside the Health Collaborative network, including international universities or non-academic organizations such as government agencies and NGOs, can be involved in the research activities but cannot lead a proposal. Their participation must be clearly justified in the application, emphasizing the value they bring to the collaboration.

Research Scope and Objectives

The key aim of the Africa Health Collaborative Research Fund 2025 is to encourage the development and expansion of high-quality research activities focused on health systems strengthening in primary health care. This includes public health, community health, and related fields, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The projects should focus on improving primary healthcare delivery systems and addressing pressing health challenges within the region. The successful proposals will contribute to the translation of research into practical, community-level solutions that can transform the health sector in Africa.

The research can cover a broad range of topics related to health systems strengthening, including but not limited to healthcare delivery models, health policy, health workforce development, and community health interventions.

Evaluation Criteria

Each proposal will undergo a joint peer review process conducted by representatives from the member institutions of the Africa Health Collaborative. The assessment will be based on the following criteria:

1. Project Design and Rationale: The clarity of the project’s objectives and the soundness of the proposed methodology.
2. Collaborator Complementarity: The strength and relevance of the partnership between the collaborating institutions.
3. Potential Translational Impact: How the project will benefit communities and contribute to improving health systems in Africa.
4. Capacity for Future Collaboration/Funding: The potential for continued collaboration and the ability to leverage future funding.
5. Relevance to Health Collaborative Activities: How the project aligns with the mission and goals of the Health Collaborative.

Application Process

The application process will occur in two stages:

1. Expression of Interest (EoI)
   • Deadline: February 19, 2025 (12 PM GMT)
   • The EoI should outline the project’s objectives, the collaborating institutions, and the expected impact. Results will be announced on March 5, 2025.
2. Full Proposal Submission
   • If your EoI is successful, you will be invited to submit a full proposal by April 16, 2026.
   • The results of the full proposal assessment will be announced on May 7, 2026, and the projects will officially begin on June 1, 2026, for a duration of 18 months.

Support and Queries

For further inquiries or assistance, please contact the secretariat at:
Email: africasecretariat@utoronto.ca

Visit: Africa Health Collaborative

This call for proposals aims to empower early-career researchers to embark on impactful collaborations that will contribute significantly to the improvement of primary health care systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, leveraging their expertise to address urgent health challenges and create sustainable change within the region. The Africa Health Collaborative is committed to facilitating transformative research that enhances health and well-being through innovation, knowledge sharing, and cross-institutional partnerships.