The AGNES Intra‑Africa Mobility Grants for 2025 present an exceptional opportunity for junior researchers across sub-Saharan Africa to advance their scientific careers through collaborative research visits. Supported by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH), the program is designed to strengthen research capacity, foster regional collaboration, and enhance the visibility of African research on an international level.
The initiative targets doctoral students and early-career researchers who demonstrate high academic potential and a commitment to addressing development challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. By facilitating short-term research stays at other African universities or research institutions, the program enables participants to expand their professional networks, access advanced resources, and gain exposure to diverse research environments.
Grant Tracks and Funding
The AGNES Mobility Grants are divided into two tracks: a general mobility grant, open to all eligible researchers, and a special track reserved exclusively for female researchers. This dual-track approach seeks to promote gender equity in scientific research while ensuring broad participation across disciplines.
Grants provide financial support for travel, accommodation, living expenses, and, where appropriate, research-related costs. Funding is structured based on the duration of the research stay:
- One-month stay: up to EUR 2,300
- One-and-a-half-month stay: up to EUR 2,650
- Two-month stay: up to EUR 3,000
The grant covers economy-class travel or land transport between the home and host institutions, daily subsistence including meals and accommodation, local transportation, health insurance, and modest research costs for the host institution.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be doctoral students registered at a recognized university or tertiary institution in sub-Saharan Africa. They must be nationals of a sub-Saharan African country and have at least one publication stemming from their research, preferably in a journal indexed in Scopus or Web of Science. The proposed research should address development-relevant challenges that cannot be pursued in the applicant’s home country.
A crucial component of the application is the identification of a qualified host researcher at another African institution. Applicants must secure confirmation from their prospective host and prepare a detailed research work plan in collaboration with them.
Application Requirements
A complete application must include the following documents:
- A research proposal in English (maximum five pages), detailing objectives, methodology, and a work plan for the proposed stay, endorsed by the host institution.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English, following the AGNES template.
- Proof of doctoral registration.
- Academic transcripts from all tertiary studies, with an explanation of the grading system if not in English.
- A list of publications with copies or screenshots of the title and author pages.
- Travel cost estimates, including at least two quotes for return travel.
- An itemized budget for accommodation, meals, local transport, and health insurance during the stay. Applicants must arrange valid health coverage for the duration of their visit.
- A letter of invitation from the host institution confirming workspace availability and specifying requested research costs.
For Humanities and Social Sciences, EUR 100 per month is allocated for research costs, while for Natural, Life, and Engineering Sciences, EUR 200 per month is allocated to cover laboratory or fieldwork expenses.
Application Process and Reporting
Applicants submit their applications online, after which a selection committee evaluates submissions. Upon acceptance, awardees and their hosts must sign a contractual agreement within two weeks. After completing the research stay, both the grantee and host are required to submit a comprehensive report within six months, detailing the research outcomes and achievements. It is important to note that the grant cannot be applied retroactively for research stays that have already occurred.
Timeline and Selection
The selection committee reviews applications in January 2026. Research visits may begin as early as April 30, 2026, and must be completed by September 30, 2026. Priority is given to proposals that demonstrate clear scientific merit, relevance to development in sub-Saharan Africa, and strong institutional support.
Contact Information
For program inquiries, applicants can contact the Programme Manager, the Secretary of AGNES, or the Co-Chair and President of AGNES, who provide guidance on application requirements and procedures.
The AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grants represent a strategic investment in the future of African research. By fostering cross-border collaboration, providing critical financial support, and encouraging gender equity in science, the program offers junior researchers a transformative opportunity to advance their careers while contributing to the continent’s development.
Deadline: November 30, 2025
