UNESCO Science for Crisis Response & Solutions Research Continuity Grants for Africa 2026 (up to $2,000)

Deadline: November 15, 2026

Applications are open for the UNESCO Science for Crisis Response & Solutions Research Continuity Grants for Africa 2026. This is a new small-grants initiative supporting the continuity of natural-science research interrupted by conflict or a natural or biological hazard.

The first pilot call will provide six institutional grants of up to USD $2,000 each to eligible researchers based at recognized universities or research institutes in Africa. The grants are designed to help researchers resume or complete a clearly defined part of interrupted research, preserve valuable data and scientific capacity, and strengthen the resilience of research systems in crisis-affected settings.

Grant

Funding may support focused activities directly linked to the interrupted research, including:

consumables and small research supplies

local fieldwork and research travel

data collection, processing or secure storage

minor equipment repair or essential short-term access to equipment or facilities

laboratory, publication or open-access costs

The grant does not cover salary replacement, honoraria or personal allowances, international relocation or long-term subsistence, major equipment or construction, institutional overheads, or activities unrelated to the interrupted research.

Eligibility

The call is open to researchers who

are African nationals based at a recognized university or research institute in an African country;

hold at least a Master’s degree or equivalent recognized research qualification in a relevant field;

conduct natural-science research, including interdisciplinary research with a substantial natural-science component;

can demonstrate that their research was interrupted by an armed conflict or natural or biological hazard within the previous three years, or continues to be materially affected by its consequences;

propose activities that can be completed within six months and within the USD 2,000 grant ceiling;

provide a signed support letter from an authorized representative of their host institution; and

confirm that the same costs are not being funded from another source.

Applications are welcome from all African countries meeting the crisis criteria. Women scientists, researchers under 40, and researchers from least developed countries and Small Island Developing States in Africa are particularly encouraged to apply.

Application

Applicants should

Read the Call for Applications, Terms of Reference and Concept Note carefully.

Complete and sign the application form in English or French.

Attach a CV, proof of the highest relevant qualification and a signed institutional support letter.

Provide any ethics, research or fieldwork authorization required for the proposed activities.

Submit the application online.

For more information, visit UNESCO SCRS Grants.

The call is open to researchers who

are African nationals based at a recognized university or research institute in an African country; hold at least a Master’s degree or equivalent recognized research qualification in a relevant field; conduct natural-science research, including interdisciplinary research with a substantial natural-science component; can demonstrate that their research was interrupted by an armed conflict or natural or biological hazard within the previous three years, or continues to be materially affected by its consequences; propose activities that can be completed within six months and within the USD 2,000 grant ceiling; provide a signed support letter from an authorized representative of their host institution; and confirm that the same costs are not being funded from another source. Applications are welcome from all African countries meeting the crisis criteria. Women scientists, researchers under 40, and researchers from least developed countries and Small Island Developing States in Africa are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applicants should

Read the Call for Applications, Terms of Reference and Concept Note carefully. Complete and sign the application form in English or French. Attach a CV, proof of the highest relevant qualification and a signed institutional support letter. Provide any ethics, research or fieldwork authorization required for the proposed activities. Submit the application online. For more information, visit UNESCO SCRS Grants.