Article

The Research Development Fellowship scheme is OPEN for applications until 22 September 2022.

12 Jul 2022

The Africa Research Excellence Fund is pleased to launch the call for the 2022/23 AREF Research Development Fellowship Programme.

Programme Overview

Aim. To support researchers in Africa who are emerging leaders and working on important challenges for human health, to develop their skills as a researcher.

What it offers. A three to nine-month placement at a leading research institution in the UK, Europe or Africa, with additional support at your home institution before and after the placement. Up to £40,000 available

Who is eligible? Early career researchers. These are research active post-doctoral scientists and clinicians with higher qualifications who are nationals of and employed in Sub-Saharan Africa (see detailed eligibility criteria).

How to apply. Read the guidance documents carefully before developing your proposal and starting your application. Complete the application forms and upload the forms with supporting documents (using document upload section in PART A of the application form).

Deadline for submission of all application documents:

13.00 hours GMT on 22 September 2022

Decisions. We will notify applicants of the outcomes of their applications by end of March 2023.

Fellowships. Successful Fellowships can start between June 2023 and no later than December 2023.

Questions. Should you have any further questions that are not contained in information, please email

Fellowships [dot] AREF [at] aref-africa [dot] org [dot] uk by 12 September.

Information Session will be held on 17 August 2022. Details and joining information will be posted in the near future.

It is essential that you discuss your plans for an AREF Fellowship in the context of your career development with appropriate leaders within your Employing Organisation and Host Organisation at an early stage. You need your sponsors and other senior people to agree and support your plans.

AREF does not reimburse your Employing Organisation for your salary while you are away on placement: we do, however, support reasonable accommodation, travel and training costs.

Guidance documents

  1. Scheme Information
  2. Guidance on Completing the Application Forms
  3. AREF Terms and Conditions

Application forms

  1. Application Form PART A Summary Information (online form) https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RDFForm2022
  2. Application Form Parts B-G

Applicants must complete and submit the following:

  • Application Form PART A Summary Information (online form)
  • Application Form Parts B-F
  • Part G of the application form (The Signature Sheet)
  • A letter of support from the Host Sponsor
  • A letter of support from the Employing Sponsor
  • Two chosen publications to demonstrate the applicant’s career history.
  • An electronic copy of the applicant’s most recently attained degree certificate, usually the PhD certificate.