Apply for the CODESRIA Research Grants on University Ecosystems 2027 - research grants of USD 5,000 - 15,000 for scholars in African universities and research institutions working on higher education, gender, academic freedom, and associational life on African campuses.
The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, is coordinating this call with funding support from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. Selected fellows receive 15 months of support for original research, knowledge-exchange workshops, and publishable outputs.
Applications close on 16 January 2027. Submit online via the CODESRIA application portal. This Opportunity Station guide is original copy based on the official CODESRIA call. It is not a reprint of any third-party blog.
Quick Facts - CODESRIA Research Grants on University Ecosystems 2027
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organiser | CODESRIA (Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa) |
| Funder | Andrew Carnegie Foundation |
| Host Landmark | African Renaissance Monument / Dakar coastline, Senegal 🇸🇳 |
| Grant amount | USD 5,000 - 15,000 per project |
| Duration | 15 months |
| Themes | Gender & associational life; academic & intellectual freedom in African universities |
| Deadline | 16 January 2027 |
| Official Gateway | CODESRIA grants portal · Official call |
Thematic Focus
Proposals should engage two interrelated themes:
- Gender and associational life in African universities - gendered experiences of students/faculty/staff; institutional cultures and governance; barriers to women’s leadership and academic progression; gender-based violence, safety, and wellbeing; actionable insights for reform
- Academic and intellectual freedom - threats to academic freedom; intersections with gender and the civic role of universities; associational life as a condition for meaningful academic freedom
Priority sub-themes (examples)
- Academic and intellectual freedom; university governance, autonomy, and accountability
- Funding models and implications for equity and quality
- Digital transitions, AI, and pedagogical innovation
- Research ecosystems, knowledge production, and epistemic justice
- Gender, minority inclusion, and social justice in university spaces
- Neoliberalism, globalisation, and institutional autonomy
- Private universities and TVETs in Africa
- University missions toward SDGs and Agenda 2063
- Graduate outcomes and labour-market change
- University - community partnerships with state, industry, and civil society
What Grantees Do (15 months)
- Conduct original research aligned with the programme’s thematic priorities
- Participate in knowledge-exchange workshops and peer-learning forums
- Produce at least one publishable manuscript (journal article and policy brief or equivalent)
- Contribute to public dialogue and policy engagement
- Submit periodic progress reports and a final consolidated output
Eligibility
- Affiliated with a recognized African higher education or research institution
- African scholars in the diaspora may apply in collaboration with colleagues based at an African institution
- Women scholars, early-career academics, and applicants from less well-resourced universities are especially encouraged
- Individual proposals or collaborative teams of 3 - 5 members (interdisciplinary, inter-institutional, or multi-country teams strongly encouraged)
- Applicants with outstanding/pending deliverables from prior CODESRIA-funded projects are discouraged from applying
Required Application Materials
- CV - recent CV for the PI (and all team members for collaborative applications)
- Proposal synopsis (max 4,000 words) covering research question, literature, conceptual/theoretical framework, methodology and work plan/timelines, draft budget, and proposed outputs
- Draft budget of USD 5,000 - 15,000
- Institutional affiliation / endorsement letter from a recognized higher education or research institution
How to Apply
- Read the full call on the official CODESRIA page.
- Prepare your CV(s), proposal synopsis, budget, and institutional letter.
- Submit electronically via apply.codesria.org/grants-subventions before 16 January 2027.
- Questions: tgf@codesria.org.
Late applications will not be considered.
Official Links
CODESRIA - Call for Proposals: Research Grants on University Ecosystems
CODESRIA Application Portal - Grants / Subventions
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the application deadline?
16 January 2027. Late applications are not considered.
How much funding is available?
Draft budgets should range from USD 5,000 to USD 15,000 per project for a 15-month research period.
Who can apply?
Researchers affiliated with recognized African higher education or research institutions (individual or 3 - 5 member teams). Diaspora scholars may apply with an Africa-based collaborator.
What themes are prioritised?
Gender and associational life in African universities, and academic/intellectual freedom - including governance, equity, epistemic justice, and related higher-education debates.
Where do I apply?
Online at apply.codesria.org/grants-subventions after reading the official call.
