Published: 17 Sep 2026 60 views
Call for Applications” for the funding programme: “AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grant for Junior Researchers”. This grant is generously funded by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and with the support of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH). This AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grant for Junior Researchers aims to strengthen the scientific capacity and networking of young researchers in sub-Saharan Africa through the active cooperation of AGNES and potential AGNES members (serving as supervisors for the awardees of this grant). It further supports the alumni of the AvH Foundation in their efforts towards mentoring high potential junior researchers, helping them to access international networks of scientific excellence.
AGNES is operating two Intra-Africa Mobility Grants for Junior Researchers for which application may be submitted directly by interested and qualified candidates from sub-Sahara Africa:
a. General AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grants for Junior Researchers (Generally for MALE and FEMALE candidates)
b. Special AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grants for Junior Researchers (For FEMALE candidates ONLY)
AGNES is a networking organization established by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) in conjunction with African Humboldtians. Founded in 2011 by 31 African and German Humboldtians and the Alexander von Humboldt representatives, the AGNES has been led by an interim committee up to 2014 chaired by Prof Dr Ernst Uken (South Africa). AGNES was officially inaugurated in 2014 and this led to the election of a substantive Governing Board under the leadership of Dr Heather Marco (South Africa). Thus, from 2014 till now, AGNES is at the fifth Governing Board (also called Executive commi... continue reading
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| Application Deadline | 16 Oct 2026 |
| Type | PhD |
| Sponsor | African-German Network of Excellence in Science (AGNES) |
| Gender | Men and Women |
The AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grant enables doctoral candidates from sub-Saharan African countries to spend research stays of 1-2 months at a university/research institute in another sub-Saharan African country (hereafter referred to host institution), where they will be collaborating with an experienced researcher (hereafter referred to as scientific host). The proposed research must be part of the work towards the Doctoral research, including but not limited to bench work, laboratory studies, use of library resources and a write-up of the thesis or part of the thesis.
The Grant aims to be as financially comprehensive as is reasonably possible for a short stay outside the borders of the applicant’s country, covering travel and subsistence and includes a research allowance to the host institute on request to cover some of the research expenses. A maximum Grant amount of EUR 2300 to EUR 3000 is earmarked for 1-2 months stays, respectively depending on the length of stay.
Eligible junior researchers need to demonstrate the relevance of their work for the further development of their home countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Direct applications from junior researchers having published at least 1 article from their thesis work (in a non-predatory journal) will be considered for both AGNES Mobility Grants. The applicant: (a) may be from any academic discipline but must be officially registered for a doctoral degree at a university/tertiary institute in sub-Sahara Africa at the time of application, (b) must be a national of a sub-Saharan African country, and (c) must have, at least one already published paper from his/her earlier thesis work (in a non-predatory journal). For the avoidance of doubt, we will only consider journals that are indexed by SCOPUS and Web of Science. The applicant must clearly demonstrate that their work is relevant towards development in sub-Saharan African countries and cannot be conducted in the home country. Only applicants with an identified scientific host and mutually agreed-upon proposal/work schedule will be considered for the Grant.
A selection meeting will be held in December 2026, and only selected candidates will be notified. Commencement of research stays: earliest is 1st March 2027, and the latest to be completed by 31st July 2027.
Complete applications MUST include the following:
a) A short research/project proposal which MUST be in ENGLISH language (not more than 5 pages) from the junior scientist (applicant) with a short outline of the proposed research activity and a work schedule for achieving the aim(s) of the research project at the host institution. The scientific host must agree in writing to the proposal and time schedule.
b) A standard CV of the applicant which MUST be in ENGLISH language (use the AGNES template). The AGNES CV template can be obtained from here: Download 2026 AGNES Intra-Africal Mobility CV-Template.
c) Official proof of registration for the postgraduate degree (only current doctoral students are eligible).
d) A copy of the official academic transcripts of the applicant, reflecting the grades obtained in the undergraduate and any postgraduate studies. If your transcript is in another language, please supply the official explanation of the grading system in English language.
e) A list of published articles in non-predatory journals with SCOPUS or Web of Science links (URL) to each publication (include an e-copy of the first page showing the title, authors and the abstract). Both the list of publications and the first page of each publication should be merged into a single PDF document. The document should begin with a descriptive title on the first page (e.g., “LIST OF PUBLICATIONS FOR JOHNSON JAMES”), followed by the list of publications (with the link to each publication included after the title and other details of the publication). The first page of each publication should then follow in the same PDF document.
f) Travel costs (by land or economy class flight): supply two quotes for the journey (including return travel) between the applicant’s country of residence and the country of the host institute).
g) Estimated cost of living (rent, meals, local transport, health insurance) at the host institute. Applicants are expected to conclude a valid health insurance for the research stay. Scientific hosts and host institutes are expected to assist applicants in finding affordable accommodation and advise them on establishing subsistence estimates.
h) Letter of invitation from the scientific host (MUST be in English language): (i) confirming that a place to work will be available at the indicated period, (ii) a binding declaration from the host institution requesting an amount of the research cost allowance. The amount of EUR 100 per month and EUR 200 per month, respectively, will be deducted from the total grant amount for Humanities & Social Sciences, and Natural & Life Sciences and Engineering Sciences, to cover bench fees.
Check also:
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship to Study in UK 2027/2028
Wageningen University Masters Scholarship to Study in Netherlands 2027/2028
Interested junior scientists should apply by filling in the online application form via the link below:
https://forms.gle/t57E7k9gTTtd7R7XA.
For more Information, visit African-German Network of Excellence in Science (AGNES)
