Deadline: September 24, 2025
The Africa Think Tank Platform Initiative 2025 is a groundbreaking programme designed to empower African think tanks to deliver high-quality, policy-relevant research aligned with the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063. Launched on 24 July 2025, the initiative is a collaborative effort between the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), and AUDA-NEPAD, with financial backing from the World Bank amounting to USD 50 million.
This major funding initiative aims to drive evidence-based policymaking on the continent by supporting the institutional strengthening and collaboration of African research institutions.
What is the Africa Think Tank Platform Initiative 2025?
The Africa Think Tank Platform Initiative 2025 seeks to foster a robust ecosystem of African knowledge institutions that produce actionable insights to inform policies, governance, and regional integration efforts. Through this initiative, the African Union aims to reduce reliance on external knowledge systems and promote locally grounded solutions.
By targeting Africa’s most pressing transnational challenges, the programme will fund 3–5 consortia of African think tanks with up to USD 10 million each over a 2.5-year period.
Key Objectives
The programme supports think tanks to generate strategic research and influence policies on critical thematic areas, including:
- Economic transformation and governance
- Climate change
- Regional trade and integration
- Food security
- Human capital development
- Digitalisation
The initiative also encourages gender inclusion and cross-border collaboration across Africa’s five regions.
Grant Structure and Eligibility
Each selected consortium—comprising 3 to 5 registered African think tanks—will receive substantial institutional and programme support. Eligibility criteria include:
- At least four of the six thematic areas must be covered
- Geographic diversity across African subregions
- One lead institution responsible for consortium coordination
These grants are structured to enhance long-term institutional capacity, improve research output quality, and deepen policy engagement across the continent.
Application Timeline
Applicants should adhere to the following key dates:
| Phase | Date |
|---|---|
| Call Opens | July 2025 |
| Submission Deadline | 24 September 2025 |
| Eligibility Screening | 1 October 2025 |
| Final Evaluation | By 17 October 2025 |
| Award Notification | 14 November 2025 |
| First Disbursement | 19 December 2025 |
The review process will include both a technical evaluation by independent experts and on-site assessments of shortlisted institutions.
📥 How to Apply
To apply for the Africa Think Tank Platform Initiative 2025, follow the official application procedures via the links below:
Why This Matters for Africa
With USD 50 million in funding, the Africa Think Tank Platform Initiative 2025 is a strategic leap forward in building Africa’s research autonomy. By elevating local institutions and prioritising context-specific policy research, this initiative will help reshape governance, innovation, and development outcomes across the continent.
It represents a pivotal moment for African knowledge ecosystems—placing local expertise at the heart of decision-making in areas that directly affect the continent’s future.
Summary of Key Details
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Programme Name | Africa Think Tank Platform Initiative 2025 |
| Funding Body | World Bank (USD 50M total) |
| Host Partners | AU Commission, ACBF, AUDA-NEPAD |
| Grantees | 3–5 Consortia of 3–5 African Think Tanks |
| Funding Per Consortium | Approx. USD 10M |
| Duration | 2.5 years |
| Deadline to Apply | 24 September 2025 |
✍ Need Help Preparing Your Proposal?
If your think tank or consortium is planning to submit a proposal, contact grantsdatabase.org for proposal drafting, refining, and review support.
