About the UNESCO Research Continuity Grants

UNESCO’s Research Continuity Grants for Africa aim to help researchers whose scientific work has been disrupted by armed conflict, natural disasters, or biological hazards. The initiative is designed to protect valuable scientific knowledge and help researchers resume or complete important work affected by crises.

The 2026 pilot programme offers six grants of up to US$2,000 each. The funding is intended for specific, achievable research activities rather than large-scale projects or general institutional expenses.

Researchers working at recognized African universities and research institutes may benefit if their projects meet the programme’s eligibility criteria and demonstrate a clear need for research continuity support.

What Can the Grant Fund?

Eligible expenses may include costs directly related to restarting or completing interrupted research, such as:

• Scientific research supplies and consumable materials.
• Local fieldwork and research travel expenses.
• Data collection, processing, management, and secure storage.
• Minor equipment repairs and access to laboratory facilities.
• Eligible laboratory expenses.
• Research publication fees and open-access publication costs.

Applicants should prepare a realistic budget explaining how each requested expense will help restore progress on their interrupted research.

Important: The published programme summary excludes salary replacement, personal allowances, international relocation, long-term living expenses, major equipment purchases, construction, institutional overheads, and unrelated activities.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Applicants should carefully review the official call to confirm that they meet the programme requirements. The published eligibility criteria include the following:

1. African nationality: Applicants must be nationals of an African country.
2. Institutional affiliation: Applicants must be based at a recognized university or research institute in Africa.
3. Academic qualifications: A Master’s degree or an equivalent recognized research qualification in a relevant field is required.
4. Relevant research: The proposed work must focus on natural sciences or interdisciplinary research with a substantial natural-science component.
5. Research disruption: Applicants must show that their research was interrupted by armed conflict or a natural or biological hazard within the previous three years, or remains materially affected by such an event.
6. Feasible work plan: Proposed activities must be achievable within six months and the grant limit.
7. Institutional support: A signed support letter from an authorized representative of the host institution is required.
8. No duplicate funding: Applicants must confirm that the same expenses are not already funded by another source.

Women scientists, researchers under 40, researchers from least developed countries, and researchers from African Small Island Developing States are particularly encouraged to apply.

Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee an award because the pilot round is limited to six grants.

Documents Required for the Application

Prepare the following documents before submitting your application:

• A completed and signed application form in English or French.
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV).
• Evidence of your highest relevant academic or research qualification.
• A signed institutional support letter.
• Relevant ethics approvals, research authorizations, or fieldwork permits, where applicable.

Applicants should also prepare a concise explanation of the research interruption, the activities they intend to complete, the expected results, and a clear itemized budget.

How to Apply for the UNESCO Research Continuity Grants

Interested researchers should follow these steps:

1. Visit the official UNESCO Science for Crisis Response and Solutions programme website.
2. Locate the Research Continuity Grants for Africa call for applications.
3. Read the official call, terms of reference, and concept note carefully.
4. Download and complete the application form in English or French.
5. Gather your CV, academic qualification evidence, institutional support letter, and applicable research authorizations.
6. Prepare a focused research recovery plan and a justified budget within the US$2,000 limit.
7. Submit your complete application using the official submission process before the stated deadline.

Application Deadline

The opportunity listing reports a deadline of 15 November 2026, at 23:59 Paris time. Applicants should confirm the deadline and submission arrangements directly through the official programme page, as dates and application procedures may change.

Final Thoughts

The UNESCO Research Continuity Grants for Africa could provide valuable assistance to eligible researchers seeking to recover interrupted scientific work. Although the funding is limited, it may help cover essential supplies, fieldwork, data recovery, laboratory access, and other approved research expenses.

Before applying, make sure your research meets the crisis-related eligibility criteria, obtain the required institutional support, and prepare a realistic plan that can be completed within six months.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is an independent summary of the linked opportunity listing and is not an official UNESCO announcement. Funding amounts, eligibility conditions, application procedures, and deadlines should be confirmed using official UNESCO programme documents. Do not pay an intermediary based solely on an online funding advertisement.