As part of its national research capacity-strengthening mandate, CNHR invites applications for Research Career Development Grants (RCDGs) from qualified Kenyan researchers (currently based in Kenya or working within the Diaspora) who wish to further develop their careers while undertaking research and training programmes in Kenya.
The grants aim at enabling successful applicants to obtain high-quality research training that will lay the foundation for a successful independent research career. In the long-term, the aim is to build a critical mass of researchers undertaking relevant research-for-health for the betterment of
Kenyans.
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There are several research and career development grants available for Kenyan citizens, particularly those affiliated with academic or research institutions. Here are some notable opportunities:
🇰🇪 Kenya-Based Research Grants
1. KENET Research and Innovation Grants (2024/2025)
The Kenya Education Network (KENET) offers grants in two key areas:
Engineering Research (ER): For faculty with a PhD awarded within the past five years, aiming to foster collaboration between engineers and scientists to develop new methods to solve problems relevant to Kenya’s social context.
Engineering Teaching (ET): For faculty with a PhD awarded more than five years ago, focusing on advancing the development and testing of materials to enhance the teaching of engineering disciplines.
Eligibility: Applicants must be full-time PhD faculty at accredited engineering programs in Kenyan universities with active postgraduate programs. Proposals are due by February 28, 2025.
2. CMMS Research and Innovation Grants (2024/2025)
KENET also offers grants under the Computational Modelling and Materials Science (CMMS) initiative, focusing on:
Earth Observation Science and Technology: For faculty in Environmental Sciences, GIS, Meteorology, and Atmospheric Science, with a PhD awarded within the past five years.
Enhancing Teaching of Fundamental Science: For faculty with a PhD awarded more than five years ago, aiming to support innovation and technological advancement in science education.
Eligibility: Applicants must be full-time faculty or researchers at Kenyan universities or research institutions. Proposals are due by February 28, 2025.
🌍 International Grants and Fellowships
3. OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards
These awards recognize early-career women scientists in developing countries, including Kenya. The awardees receive a $5,000 honorarium, access to Elsevier’s ScienceDirect database, and an opportunity to present their research at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting.
4. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Funded by the European Commission, MSCA offers fellowships to researchers at all career stages, promoting international and interdisciplinary research collaborations. Kenyan researchers can apply for European Postdoctoral Fellowships (1–2 years) or Global Postdoctoral Fellowships (2–3 years), with the possibility of conducting part of the research in Kenya.
5. Wellcome Trust International Master’s Fellowships
This program offers fellowships to students from low- and middle-income countries, including Kenya, to pursue master’s degree programs and research projects in health and biomedical sciences at eligible institutions in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The fellowship covers tuition, stipends, and other allowances for one year of study.
6. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
The Aga Khan Foundation offers scholarships and grants to outstanding students from developing countries, including Kenya, for postgraduate studies in various fields such as architecture, education, health sciences, and development studies. Candidates who have no other means of financing their education and are committed to improving the quality of life in their communities are prioritized.
🧭 Additional Resources
AfIRI Research and Career Development Funds: The Africa Institute for Research and Innovation (AfIRI) offers grant and fellowship programs designed to support qualified researchers pursuing projects within their areas of interest. They also provide a list of scholarships, grants, and other financial support schemes from various scientific societies and institutions.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program – Kenya: While primarily for U.S. students, Kenyan researchers may collaborate with U.S. counterparts under this program, which aims to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Kenya.
