Women Grant Writing Programme 2025: Exclusive Training for African Women Researchers Admin, March 28, 2025March 28, 2025 Application Deadline:April 14, 2025 The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) is launching the Women Grant Writing Programme (GWP) 2025, an intensive training initiative designed to equip early-career female researchers in health-related fields across Africa with the skills necessary to secure competitive research funding. Running from June to September 2025, this program aims to bridge the gap between promising research ideas and successful funding applications. Programme Objectives The primary goal of this program is to empower talented female researchers in Africa by providing them with essential grant-writing skills. Participants will gain expertise in developing strong research proposals that meet international, regional, and national funding standards. This initiative is tailored to those looking to establish themselves as independent researchers capable of securing competitive grants. Key Learning Areas Participants will receive structured training on: Defining and articulating their unique research niche Crafting compelling research questions Understanding funders’ expectations and requirements Writing proposals in clear and concise English Structuring different sections of a grant proposal Developing a Case for Support/Project Description Planning project timelines and budgets Managing collaborations and research teams Understanding and practicing peer review Preparing effectively for fellowship interviews However, the program will not cover aspects such as research ethics approvals, funder-specific application forms, intellectual property management, or research communication strategies. Programme Format The training sessions will be conducted online via Zoom, featuring interactive group discussions and independent exercises. The schedule is as follows: June 30 – July 4, 2025: Daily online sessions (08:30 – 11:30 GMT) September 1 – September 3, 2025: Daily online sessions (08:30 – 11:30 GMT) Time zones for other African regions are provided to ensure participants can plan accordingly. Participants will be given pre-course materials and assignments to complete before and between sessions. Full engagement is mandatory to maximize the program’s impact. Participant Expectations Commitment Requirements To successfully complete the program, participants must: Attend all online sessions in their entirety Actively participate in discussions and exercises Dedicate at least one additional hour daily for preparatory reading and assignments Utilize the six-week gap between sessions to draft a research proposal Have access to a stable internet connection, a computer or laptop capable of running Zoom, and a smartphone for supplementary tasks Failure to meet these requirements will result in the non-issuance of a completion certificate. Monitoring & Evaluation Participants will also contribute to AREF’s impact assessment by taking part in surveys designed to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. Eligibility Criteria The Women Grant Writing Programme is open to researchers actively involved in health-related research fields, including: Biomedical sciences, clinical research, epidemiology, environmental health, public health, data science, mental health, health policy, and more To qualify, applicants must: Be citizens of an African country Be in the early stages of their research career Hold a PhD (or equivalent) awarded on or after January 1, 2019, OR a medical/clinical qualification plus a research-relevant Master’s degree awarded within the same timeframe Be employed by a recognized African university or research institution Have a significant portion of their role dedicated to developing and conducting health research Not have received prior grant-writing training from AREF Not already hold a significant portfolio of international research grants exceeding £250,000 Selection Process & Criteria Applicants will be evaluated based on: Their research experience and outputs Their potential to benefit from the program and secure future research funding Their commitment to knowledge-sharing within their institutions Their proficiency in English, as all sessions will be conducted in English To ensure diversity and inclusivity, AREF will limit selection to two participants per institution and strive for gender and linguistic balance. How to Apply Interested candidates must complete an online application via the AREF portal:https://programmes.aref-africa.org.uk/ Before applying, applicants should review the 2025 AREF GWP Online Application Form Guidance and FAQs for detailed instructions. Key Dates Call Opens: March 19, 2025 Application Deadline: April 14, 2025 Selection Outcome Notification: May 14, 2025 For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE Course and Trainings Grants opportunity for women