ESSA 2025 New Grants for Africa-Based Foundational Learning Researchers

Are you a researcher based in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, or Zambia? Applications are now open for grants of up to $15,000 to support research that strengthens Foundational Learning (FL) and helps shape education policy and practice. 

These grants are part of Phase 2 of Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) and Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre’s Foundational Learning Project, building on the success of Phase 1 to further strengthen the capacity of FL researchers across sub-Saharan Africa to inform education policy and practice.

This initiative is supported by the Gates Foundation and the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange.

• Table of Content
• About Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA)
• New Grants
• Aim and Benefits of New Grants
• Requirements for New Grants Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA)

We take a systems approach by identifying challenges and co-designing solutions in partnership with local education researchers, higher education leaders, policymakers, funders and employers to improve education outcomes for young people. Our research generates actionable insights that inform decisions, policies and practice and strengthen education systems.

New Grants

Aim and Benefits of New Grants

Up to four grants will be awarded per country to individual researchers or groups of researchers, valued at up to $15,000.  

Requirements for New Grants Qualification

Applicants for these grants must meet the following criteria:

• Be Ghanaian, Kenyan, Senegalese, or Zambian citizens currently based in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, or Zambia respectively.  

• The lead applicant should have a PhD and be working in a university, research institution, or government department/ministry in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, or Zambia. 

• Proposed research must focus on an area(s) identified in the individual country calls (below).  

• The application and the submission of the research report should be in English or French (in the case of Senegal).

Check also:
Tony Elumelu Foundation African Entrepreneurship Programme 2026

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit ESSA New Grants webpage