Deadline: December 30, 2025
Are you a Harvard faculty member interested in advancing cutting-edge research that addresses Africa’s most pressing challenges? The Harvard University Motsepe Presidential Research Accelerator Fund for Africa 2025–2026 is now open for applications, offering up to US $150,000 in research funding to support innovative projects focused on Africa’s growth and sustainability.
About the Motsepe Presidential Research Accelerator Fund for Africa
The Harvard University Motsepe Presidential Research Accelerator Fund for Africa 2025–2026 is an initiative supported by a generous gift from the Motsepe Foundation. The programme is jointly administered by Harvard’s Office of the Vice Provost for Research, the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs, and the Centre for African Studies.
This fund aims to accelerate collaborative, multidisciplinary research that addresses Africa’s key challenges and opportunities—encouraging innovation, partnership, and measurable social impact.
- Application Deadline: 30 December 2025
- Maximum Award Amount: Up to US $150,000
Priority Research Themes
The Motsepe Presidential Research Accelerator Fund for Africa supports a wide range of themes crucial to Africa’s sustainable development. Projects may focus on, but are not limited to:
- Emerging technologies and the Fourth Industrial Revolution
- Climate change and its impacts on health, livelihoods, agriculture, water, and sanitation
- Renewable energy and its role in infrastructure and social advancement
- Health and wellbeing (broadly defined)
- Ageing and longevity studies
- Materials science and innovation
- Governance and policy design for entrepreneurial economies
Special consideration will be given to projects that:
- Promote multidisciplinary collaboration between Harvard faculty across more than one School
- Include partnerships with Africa-based academics
- Integrate the arts and humanities into STEM disciplines (i.e., STEAM-based approaches)
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be Harvard University faculty members with Principal Investigator (PI) rights.
- For Harvard Medical School, applicants must hold a faculty appointment in a basic or social science department with PI rights.
- Be able to request support for Harvard postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates.
- Not hold an active award under the current Motsepe Fund cycle.
- Previous awardees may reapply only if their prior project cycle has concluded.
Application Requirements
All applications must include the following:
- Contact Information
- For the Principal Investigator and all co-investigators/collaborators.
- Project Summary (150 words max)
- A concise paragraph summarising the purpose, scope, and expected outcomes of the project.
- Full Proposal (up to 1,000 words)
- A detailed description of the research objectives, significance, impact, and collaboration plans.
- Applicants may attach up to two additional pages for citations, figures, or supplementary materials.
- Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages each)
- For all PIs, co-investigators, collaborators, and students or postdocs for whom funding is requested.
- Project Budget and Budget Justification
- To be completed using the official budget template provided.
- Departmental/Divisional Attestation
- Confirmation that the department supports the application, will manage the project if funded, and that any salary support requested has received appropriate approval.
Note: Letters of support or collaboration are not permitted for this application.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Academic merit and feasibility of the project.
- Alignment with the Fund’s objectives.
- Collaborative potential, especially with African scholars or institutions.
Priority will be given to proposals that:
- Directly focus on Africa.
- Include meaningful collaboration with Africa-based academics.
- Are conducted in Africa (in whole or in part).
Why This Fund Matters
The Motsepe Presidential Research Accelerator Fund for Africa not only provides financial support but also promotes cross-continental collaboration between Harvard and African academic institutions. It offers a platform for generating transformative ideas and tangible solutions to Africa’s most urgent challenges—spanning technology, health, climate, and governance.
African researchers and institutions are encouraged to engage with Harvard faculty who may be eligible to apply, fostering sustainable research partnerships and knowledge exchange.
Timeline
- Applications Open: October 2025
- Deadline: 30 December 2025
- Funding Period: 2025–2026
Need Help with Proposal Preparation?
If you’re planning to collaborate on a research proposal or need expert guidance on crafting a compelling submission, contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
