The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) offers the Excell Malaria Researcher & Leadership Development Programme 2026–2028, with applications closing on October 15, 2025. This is a two-year program for high-achieving, post-doctoral malaria researchers from Africa. It is distinct from AREF’s general Research Development Fellowship.
Program objectives
Generate impact: The program focuses on enabling researchers to produce high-impact malaria research that improves health outcomes across Africa.
Empower African research leaders: The program aims to equip African post-doctoral malaria researchers with the skills needed to progress their careers and become leaders in their field.
Strengthen institutional capacity: It helps participating African institutions embed structural changes to better support emerging health research leaders.
Key details
- Duration: The program runs for two years, from January 2026 to January 2028.
- Participants: 18 individual researchers from three participating institutions will be selected.
- Application process: Applications must be submitted by an Institutional Lead (IL), a mid-to-senior level malaria researcher at an African institution. The IL coordinates the competitive internal selection of up to five early-career researchers to nominate for the program.
- Capacity-strengthening funds: AREF provides up to $50,000 USD to each of the three partner institutions to support capacity-building projects
Eligibility criteria
Applicants for nomination must be African nationals employed by an African institution involved in malaria research, with 2–8 years of post-PhD research experience. Clinicians without a PhD but with an MD, research master’s degree, and 4–8 years of active research experience are also eligible. Previous participants of an AREF Excell program are not eligible. Research must focus on malaria and contribute to better health outcomes in Africa.
Programme components
The Excell Malaria Programme includes conferences, project funding, workshops, coaching, mentorship, webinars, online resources, and networking opportunities.
How to apply
Applications are submitted by an Institutional Lead after an internal institutional selection process. Interested researchers should secure institutional support and prepare early. The deadline for institutional nominations is October 15, 2025.
I’m Peter, an education content creator focused on schools and colleges. I share news, tips, and insights that help students, parents, and educators stay informed and inspired. My goal is to make learning resources accessible, engaging, and useful for everyone in the academic community.