The AREF Excell Malaria Researcher & Leadership Development Programme 2026 for African Researchers (50,000 USD in project funding)

3.2K Application Deadline:  15th October, 2025 Applications are now open for the 2025 AREF Excell Malaria Researcher & Leadership Development Programme. AREF’s Excell malaria programme will enable 18 individual researchers from three participating institutions to build strong research careers, empower excellent teams, win research funds, work collaboratively, engage with research users – and so make an even bigger impact on improving health and saving lives. We will support partner institutions to embed structural changes that will enhance their long-term ability to support emerging health research leaders, with up to 50,000 USD over two years available to support proposed capacity-building projects. Eligibility Requirements

• An employee of an African institution with a significant and specific role in Malaria research.
• A national of an African state
• 2-8 full years of active post-PhD research experience; or a clinician without a PhD with both an MD and research master’s and 4-8 years of active research experience.
• Not already having participated in previous Excell programme.
• AREF is keen to recruit talented researchers focusing on malaria research from a broad range of approaches, including laboratory, clinical, behavioural, social, public health, health systems, and environmental and mathematical sciences. Their research must be directed towards achieving better health outcomes in Africa and show alignment with their national Malaria research strategy, where applicable. Programme outline In the two years from January 2026 to January 2028, the programme will include:
• Opening and closing conferences
• Project funding up to 50,000 USD to embed policy and practice
• Three experiential workshops
• Coaching and mentorship for institutional leads
• Supplementary webinars and on-line resources
• Monitoring and Evaluation of projects to include baseline and end-of-programme assessments
• Collaborative projects and networking For More Information: Visit the Official Webpage of the AREF Excell Malaria Researcher & Leadership Development Programme