Africa Research Excellence Fund

Charity Number: 1193865

Annual Expenditure: £3.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £3 million+ invested to date
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by programme (typically 2-4 months)
  • Grant Range: £0 - £47,000 (Research Development Fellowship)
  • Geographic Focus: Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Researchers Supported: 939+ since 2015

Contact Details

Website: https://www.africaresearchexcellencefund.org.uk/

Email: aref@aref-africa.org.uk

Phone: Not publicly listed

Africa Office: MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara

UK Office: 99 Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6HR

Application Portal: https://programmes.aref-africa.org.uk/

Overview

The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) was founded in 2015 by Professor Sir Tumani Corrah, supported by the Medical Research Foundation. Registered as a charity in England and Wales (1193865) and as a Company Limited by Guarantee (13219209) in 2021, AREF has invested over £3 million in 939 health researchers across Africa (435 women, 504 men) since its inception. The organisation's mission is to nurture research talent in Africa by investing in technical and leadership skills training rather than funding whole research projects. AREF has raised £4 million from research funders including GlaxoSmithKline, the Farrar Foundation, Medical Research Council (MRC), Medical Research Foundation, Robert Bosch Foundation, Vitol Foundation, and Wellcome Trust. Alumni have collectively secured over £10 million in subsequent research funding from prestigious international funders.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Development Fellowship

£0 - £47,000 per fellowship

Provides 3-9 month placements at leading research institutions in the UK, Europe, or Africa for early-career researchers. Covers accommodation, travel, and training costs but not salary reimbursement or whole research projects. Applications are made through online portal with fixed annual deadlines.

Women in Research Grant Writing Programme

No direct funding provided

Fully online training programme (eight 3-hour sessions) designed specifically for female early-career African health researchers. Participants have collectively won over £10 million in funding after completing the programme.

Essential Grant Writing Skills Programme

No direct funding provided

Capacity-building training to help early-career researchers develop competitive grant proposals. Does not cover ethics approval processes, funder-specific application forms, or intellectual property management.

AREF-MRC Towards Leadership Programme

Fully funded by MRC and AREF

Leadership development programme for researchers transitioning to independent research. Covers workshop costs, accommodation, and travel. Applicants must have research funding portfolio valued at £500,000 or less.

Excell Malaria Researcher & Leadership Development Programme

Up to US $50,000 per institution over two years

Supports 18 individual researchers from three participating institutions to strengthen institutional infrastructure for malaria research leaders. Applications from institutions internationally recognised for malaria research.

Priority Areas

  • Human health research in infectious and non-communicable diseases significant to Africa
  • Research on diseases identified as “neglected” in Africa
  • Health research addressing Africa's disproportionate disease burden
  • Climate change and health research
  • Capacity building for African research institutions
  • Leadership development for early-career African scientists

What They Don't Fund

  • Whole research projects (AREF focuses on skills development, not project funding)
  • Salary reimbursement during fellowship placements
  • PhD programmes
  • Ethics approval processes
  • Funder-specific application forms
  • Intellectual property management training
  • Researchers who have already secured £250,000+ in international grants (for grant writing programmes)
  • Non-health research fields
  • Established, fully independent researchers
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Solomon Soquar - Chairman

Over 30 years' experience in Investment Banking, Capital Markets, and Wealth Management. Former CEO of Barclays Investments Solutions Limited and Business Fellow at Oxford University.

Professor Sir Tumani Corrah - Co-President and Founder

First Emeritus Director of MRC Unit The Gambia. Founded AREF with the vision: “My goal is to make sure we have competent African scientists who are committed to research in Africa and who can partner with global scientists to solve global problems.”

Professor Baron Peter Piot - Co-President

Distinguished global health leader and former UNAIDS Executive Director.

Dr Majid Osman - Trustee

Physician-scientist researching enteric infections, antibiotic resistance, and malnutrition. Head of Health Research at CRI Foundation and founder of Youth Development Labs.

Russell Delew - Trustee

Interim Director of Fundraising and Engagement at Become Charity. Previously held senior roles at Cancer Research UK and Unicef UK.

Ratna Kakkar - Trustee

Founder and Managing Director of Magellan Wealth Management, specialising in corporate governance, strategy, and diversity.

Pauline Mullin - Trustee

Former Deputy Director of Strategic Communications at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Professor Faith Osier - Trustee

Holds Chair in Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology at Imperial College London.

Senior Leadership Team

Professor Akhere Omonkhua - Chief Executive Officer

Dr Dawn Duke - Head of Researcher Development

Dr Catherine Kansiime - Research Development Manager

Carla Rivero - Head of Fundraising

Irene Coker - Head of Operations

Key Quote from Leadership

Professor Tumani Corrah: “In 2015, I launched AREF, for two reasons. Firstly, it was timely to have an African response to an African challenge. Secondly, it was high time that we had capacity in continent to define African research priorities and agenda.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are announced on AREF's website, newsletter, and social media accounts with specific details posted on the “Funding Calls” page. All applications must be submitted through the AREF online portal (typically via Survey Monkey platform). Incomplete applications will not be considered - all required documents including support letters must be included.

Decision Timeline

Typical process:

  1. Application submission through online portal by fixed deadline
  2. Initial screening by AREF staff to verify eligibility and completeness
  3. Peer review by College of Experts using programme-specific assessment criteria
  4. Scoring on criteria including Excellence, Impact, and Implementation (typically scored out of 5, with threshold of 3 per criterion and overall threshold of 10)
  5. Interviews/due diligence for shortlisted candidates (programme-dependent)
  6. Award notification - typically 2-4 months after deadline
  7. Feedback provision when possible, though not guaranteed

Successful Research Development Fellowships typically commence 6-12 months after application deadlines.

Success Rates

AREF does not publicly disclose overall success rates or acceptance percentages. However, impact data shows:

  • 106 researchers have received Research Development Fellowships since 2015
  • 541 researchers participated in grant-writing workshops
  • 200 researchers in Towards Leadership Programme
  • Applications are highly competitive given the specialist nature of programmes

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply, but AREF does not accept resubmissions of previously unsuccessful proposals that have not been substantially improved and do not address reviewers' comments.

Recommended approach:

  • Contact AREF before reapplying if you previously submitted an application
  • Substantially revise your proposal based on reviewer feedback
  • Check current eligibility criteria as requirements may change between cycles

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from AREF

  1. Complete applications only: Incomplete applications will not be considered. Ensure all required documents, including support letters, are submitted.
  1. Follow instructions carefully: Review programme-specific guidance thoroughly and adhere to all requirements.
  1. Demonstrate career stage appropriately: Show you are progressing toward, but not yet fully established as, an independent researcher with potential to lead original and innovative research.
  1. Articulate clear development goals: Explain how AREF training will help achieve your personal vision for development as a scientist addressing key health challenges in Africa.
  1. Emphasise local relevance: Demonstrate how your research addresses health challenges significant to Africa and African-defined priorities.

Assessment Criteria

Applications are evaluated on:

  • Excellence: Research track record, outputs, and achievements; soundness of approach/methodology
  • Impact: Fit with scope and objectives; importance and relevance; potential for addressing African health challenges
  • Implementation: Quality of project design; suitability of candidate; quality of mentorship arrangements; career development plan

Language and Terminology

AREF emphasises:

  • “Capacity building” and “skills development” over direct research funding
  • “African-led solutions” to African health challenges
  • “Research leadership” and “independence”
  • “Networks and partnerships” for global collaboration
  • “Nurturing talent” and “transforming lives through science”

Success Story Examples

Dr Bakibinga (Grant Writing Workshop alumnus): Won over £6 million in research grants after attending AREF's inaugural workshop. She credits the programme with boosting her confidence and teaching the value of networking.

Professor Maswime (AREF Fellow): Became Full Professor and Head of Global Surgery Division at University of Cape Town; recognised as one of 20 Young Shapers of the Future in Health and Medicine by Encyclopaedia Britannica (2021).

Dr Akin Ojagbemi (2018 cohort): Appointed Sub-Dean of Postgraduate Studies at College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, following AREF Fellowship.

Common Success Factors

  • Strong track record of research outputs despite early career stage
  • Clear articulation of how training aligns with career development goals
  • Evidence of commitment to research in Africa (at least 70% time based in Africa)
  • Quality mentorship arrangements and institutional support
  • Active engagement in building research collaborations
  • Addressing locally relevant health challenges

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. AREF funds researcher development, not research projects - Focus applications on skills gaps and career development needs rather than research proposals requiring project funding.
  1. Early-career focus is critical - Target audience is researchers who have completed PhD within last 6-10 years (depending on programme) and are progressing toward independence but not yet fully established.
  1. Demonstrate African commitment - Show strong ties to African institutions (at least 70% time based in Africa) and commitment to addressing African-defined health research priorities.
  1. Completeness is non-negotiable - Missing documents, including support letters, will result in automatic rejection. Triple-check all requirements before submission.
  1. Alumni success drives future applications - AREF tracks outcomes; demonstrating how you will leverage their investment to win subsequent funding strengthens applications.
  1. Reapplication requires substantial revision - If unsuccessful, don't simply resubmit; address reviewer feedback comprehensively and contact AREF before reapplying.
  1. Gender equity is valued - Women-specific programmes demonstrate commitment to addressing gender gaps in African science. Female applicants should consider Women in Research programmes.
  1. Network building is emphasised - Articulate how AREF programmes will help you build collaborations with African and international researchers.

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