The African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has officially opened applications for the ACSL Cohort II School Leadership Research Grants. The funding opportunity is designed to support African researchers committed to generating evidence that strengthens school leadership and improves education outcomes across the continent.
Through this initiative, ACSL will fund 23 action research projects that address school leadership challenges in African education systems. Researchers will receive grants of up to USD 15,000 for descriptive action research and up to USD 35,000 for comparative action research while joining a continent-wide community of education researchers and practitioners.
If you are an African education researcher passionate about influencing education policy and strengthening school leadership, this grant presents an excellent opportunity to secure research funding and contribute to meaningful educational reform.
About the ACSL School Leadership Research Grants
The African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL) is committed to advancing evidence-based school leadership practices across Africa. In collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, the organization is supporting high-quality action research that directly informs education policy and practice.
The Cohort II Grants seek to strengthen collaboration between researchers, policymakers, school leaders, education practitioners, and implementing institutions to ensure research findings contribute to practical improvements in African education systems.
Successful projects are expected to address real school leadership challenges while producing actionable evidence that supports improved learning outcomes and stronger educational leadership.
Grant Categories and Funding
ACSL will award funding under two research categories.
1. Descriptive Action Research Grants
Researchers conducting studies within a single educational context may apply for:
- Up to USD 15,000
- Duration of 12 months
- Sixteen (16) grants available
These grants support action research focused on understanding school leadership practices within one education system or context.
2. Comparative Action Research Grants
Researchers undertaking studies across two or more educational contexts may apply for:
- Up to USD 35,000
- Duration of 24 months
- Seven (7) grants available
Comparative projects should examine school leadership across multiple contexts to generate broader evidence that can inform policy and practice.
In total, 23 research grants will be awarded across Africa.
Who Can Apply?
The ACSL Cohort II Grants are open to researchers from all African countries.
Applicants must satisfy the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a citizen of an African country and currently based in Africa.
- Conduct research focused on school leadership practice within one or more African countries.
- The Principal Investigator must hold a Doctorate in Education, Educational Leadership, Educational Management, or a closely related field, earned within the past five years.
- Submit proposals developed by multidisciplinary research teams consisting of three to five members.
- Adopt an action research approach that demonstrates collaboration with practitioners and policymakers.
Diversity and Inclusion
ACSL strongly encourages research teams to reflect diversity and inclusion by incorporating:
- Female researchers
- Young researchers under the age of 35
- Researchers with different academic levels, including bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral graduates, or doctoral candidates
The programme also encourages proposals that address educational issues affecting:
- Women and girls
- Persons with disabilities
- Rural communities
- Underserved populations
- Other marginalized groups
Cross-country collaborations are particularly encouraged to strengthen knowledge sharing across African education systems.
Research Focus
The programme supports rigorous action-oriented research aimed at strengthening school leadership across Africa.
Researchers are expected to work closely with:
- School leaders
- Policymakers
- Education practitioners
- Government institutions
- Education implementing organizations
The objective is to ensure research findings move beyond academic publication and contribute directly to policy development, improved educational practice, and stronger school leadership systems.
Additional Benefits
Beyond financial support, successful applicants will become members of the School Leadership Community of Learning.
Researchers will also participate in the Blended Exchange and Learning Trajectory (BELT), providing opportunities for:
- Professional networking
- Collaborative learning
- Knowledge exchange
- Capacity building
- Engagement with education experts across Africa
These opportunities are intended to strengthen both individual researchers and the broader African education research community.
Information Webinar
Prospective applicants are invited to attend an online information webinar where ACSL will explain the application process, eligibility requirements, and grant expectations.
Webinar Date:
20 August 2026
Time:
- 12:00–1:30 pm GMT
- 3:00–4:30 pm EAT
The webinar will provide applicants with practical guidance to help prepare competitive proposals.
Application Deadline
Applications for the ACSL Cohort II School Leadership Research Grants must be submitted by:
Deadline:
30 September 2026
Time: 11:59 pm GMT
Late applications are not expected to be considered, so interested researchers are encouraged to begin preparing their proposals early.
Why You Should Apply
School leadership plays a critical role in improving educational quality, strengthening institutions, and enhancing student learning outcomes across Africa. Through the ACSL Cohort II Grants, researchers have the opportunity to generate practical evidence that influences education policy while receiving substantial research funding.
Whether conducting descriptive research within a single education system or comparative studies across multiple countries, successful applicants will contribute to strengthening educational leadership across the continent while expanding their professional networks through ACSL’s Community of Learning.
For early-career education researchers, university academics, and multidisciplinary research teams committed to improving African education, the ACSL School Leadership Research Grants represent a valuable opportunity to produce impactful research that supports sustainable educational development.
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