New Grants of up to $15.000 for Africa-Based Foundational Learning Researchers
New Grants of up to $15.000 for Africa-Based Foundational Learning Researchers. Applications are now open for new grants of up to $15.000 for Africa-based Foundational Learning researchers in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and Zambia. The program supports locally led education research to inform policy and strengthen learning outcomes. Apply before 31 October 2025.
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Background & Grant Description
Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA), in partnership with the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre at the University of Cambridge, has opened applications for the 2025/2026 Foundational Learning Research Grants.
This initiative, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX), provides funding of up to $15,000 per grant to African researchers in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and Zambia.
The grants are part of Phase 2 of the Foundational Learning Project, following the success of Phase 1, which supported impactful research that informed education policies in sub-Saharan Africa. The focus is on strengthening the capacity of African researchers to generate evidence-based insights that directly shape classroom practice, national strategies, and regional education priorities.
Why Foundational Learning Matters
Foundational Learning (FL) refers to the basic literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills that children must acquire during their early years of schooling. Without these core skills, learners struggle to progress, increasing dropout rates and limiting lifelong opportunities.
Yet, millions of African children are currently failing to meet basic benchmarks:
- Ghana: Around 80% of children lack basic literacy and numeracy skills by the end of primary school (UNESCO, 2022).
- Kenya: Less than 50% of Grade 3 learners meet expected reading standards in English (USAWA Agenda).
- Senegal & Zambia: Despite rising enrolment in schools, learning poverty remains high, meaning children are not learning effectively even when in school.
Strengthening FL is therefore a critical step to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) — ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Why Fund Foundational Learning Researchers?
The grants are designed to place African researchers at the center of education solutions, ensuring that local realities and voices shape interventions. Funding locally led FL research is essential because it:
- Responds to national education priorities.
- Produces evidence tailored to local classroom realities.
- Generates insights that directly inform government policy and curriculum reform.
- Builds long-term research capacity within African institutions.
- Encourages collaboration between researchers, ministries, and NGOs working on education.
What the Grant Will Fund
Successful applicants can use funding to cover:
- Researcher time (salaries/stipends).
- Research materials and equipment.
- Data collection and analysis.
- Report preparation and publication.
- Travel for collaboration and dissemination.
- Costs for policy workshops or dissemination events.
Each eligible country (Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Zambia) will have up to four grants, each worth a maximum of $15,000. Grants are available for individual researchers or research groups.
New Grants of up to $15.000 for Africa-Based Foundational Learning Researchers
Country-Specific Research Priorities
Each country has distinct education challenges. Proposals must align with local priorities, which may include:
Ghana
- Improving early-grade reading and numeracy interventions.
- Exploring teacher professional development in foundational education.
- Addressing equity gaps for rural learners and marginalized groups.
- Developing innovative teaching resources in local languages.
Kenya
- Strengthening reading comprehension and literacy in English and Kiswahili.
- Using digital tools and technology to improve learning outcomes.
- Examining the impact of competency-based curriculum (CBC) reforms.
- Research on classroom assessment strategies for early learners.
Senegal
- Supporting literacy and numeracy acquisition in French and national languages.
- Teacher training approaches that improve foundational outcomes.
- Addressing gender disparities in early learning.
- Strategies to reduce school dropout and repetition rates.
Zambia
- Reducing learning poverty in rural and underserved areas.
- Research on language of instruction and its effect on FL.
- Strengthening monitoring systems for literacy and numeracy skills.
- Inclusive education strategies for children with disabilities.
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, or Zambia.
- Be based in their country of citizenship.
- Hold a PhD (lead applicant).
- Work in a university, research institute, or government department/ministry.
- Focus research on country-specific priority areas.
- Submit applications and reports in English (or French for Senegal).
Timeline & Key Dates
- Informational Webinar: Tuesday, 7 October 2025
- Application Deadline: Friday, 31 October 2025 (11.59pm GMT)
- Grant Award Notifications: December 2025
- Research Project Start Date: January 2026
- Project Duration: Up to 12 months
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Review Country Priorities — Align your proposal with your country’s education challenges.
- Develop Your Research Proposal — Include objectives, methods, expected impact, and a clear budget.
- Prepare Supporting Documents — PhD certificate, institutional affiliation, CV, and letters of support.
- Register for the Webinar — Gain insights and ask questions about the grant process.
- Submit Online — Apply via the official ESSA website before the deadline.
- Peer Review & Selection — Applications will be reviewed by a panel of experts and policymakers.
- Notification — Shortlisted applicants will be informed by email.
Tips for Writing a Strong Proposal
- Focus on policy impact — Show how your research will directly inform government or classroom practice.
- Use data and evidence — Reference existing statistics and studies to justify your research question.
- Be practical — Ensure your proposal is realistic within the $15,000 budget and 12-month timeline.
- Collaborate — Partner with ministries, NGOs, or other researchers to strengthen your application.
- Clarity matters — Write in simple, clear language that is accessible to policymakers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need to be permanently employed by a university?
No, but you must be affiliated with a recognized university, research institution, or government department.
2. Can early-career researchers apply?
Yes, provided the lead applicant holds a PhD. Collaborators may include early-career researchers.
3. Can funding cover PhD tuition fees?
No, the grant only funds research activities, not tuition.
4. Will ESSA provide mentorship?
Yes, researchers may access technical support and mentorship throughout the project.
5. Is co-funding required?
No, but applicants are encouraged to leverage partnerships for additional resources.
Why You Should Apply
This grant is more than financial support — it is an opportunity to:
- Influence national education policies.
- Join a network of African researchers.
- Contribute to solutions that reduce learning poverty.
- Strengthen your institution’s research profile.
- Secure visibility in regional and international education circles.
Official Application Link
Click here to apply for the Foundational Learning Grants 2025/2026 (official ESSA website)
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Keywords
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