AGNES Intra Africa Mobility Grants 2026

The AGNES Intra Africa Mobility Grants for Junior Researchers 2026 are open to doctoral researchers from sub Saharan Africa who wish to undertake a short research stay at a university or research institute in another sub Saharan African country. The programme supports research mobility, scientific collaboration, knowledge exchange and professional networking among emerging researchers across Africa.

The grants are offered by the African German Network of Excellence in Science, AGNES, with financial support from the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and support from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The programme is designed to strengthen scientific capacity and encourage cooperation between young African researchers and experienced scientific hosts.

Selected doctoral researchers can undertake a research stay lasting between one and two months at a host institution in another sub Saharan African country. The proposed activities must form part of the applicant’s doctoral research and should provide access to research facilities, expertise, resources or other opportunities that are not available in the applicant’s home country.

About the Opportunity

The AGNES Intra Africa Mobility Grant provides financial support for doctoral researchers who need to conduct part of their research at another African university or research institute.

The proposed research stay may involve laboratory work, bench work, research studies, use of library resources, data collection, other research activities or writing part of a doctoral thesis. Applicants must clearly explain how the proposed stay contributes to their doctoral research.

The programme also places emphasis on strengthening research connections within Africa. Applicants work with an identified scientific host at the destination institution, creating opportunities for knowledge transfer, mentorship and longer term professional collaboration.

AGNES states that eligible candidates from sub Saharan African countries may apply, while applications from several under represented countries are particularly welcomed.

These countries include Ghana, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Angola, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Lesotho, Botswana, Mozambique, Mauritius, Mauritania, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe.

Opportunity Benefits

• Research mobility support for one to two months

• Up to €2,300 for a one month research stay

• Up to €2,650 for a one and a half month research stay

• Up to €3,000 for a two month research stay

• Support for return travel between the applicant’s country of residence and host country

• Subsistence support during the research stay

• Research cost allowance for the host institution where applicable

• Opportunity to work with an experienced scientific host

• Access to research facilities and expertise at another African institution

• Professional networking with researchers across sub Saharan Africa

• Opportunities for knowledge and skills transfer

• Strengthened doctoral research capacity

• Opportunities to develop African research collaborations

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be officially registered for a doctoral degree at a university or tertiary institution in sub Saharan Africa at the time of application

• Be a national of a sub Saharan African country

• Have at least one article from their thesis work already published

• The published article must appear in a non predatory journal

• The journal must be indexed by Scopus or Web of Science

• Demonstrate that the doctoral research is relevant to development in sub Saharan Africa

• Demonstrate that the proposed research activity cannot be conducted in the applicant’s home country

• Identify a scientific host at a university or research institute in another sub Saharan African country

• Have a mutually agreed research proposal and work schedule with the scientific host

• Be able to conduct the proposed research within the eligible mobility period

• Submit the complete application in English

Female researchers may apply for both the General and Special AGNES grants but can receive only one grant. Male researchers may apply for the General AGNES grant.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must prepare a complete application with a maximum total file size of 12 MB.

• Research or project proposal of no more than five pages

• Proposed research activities and work schedule

• Written agreement from the scientific host regarding the proposal and schedule

• Standard CV using the AGNES CV template

• Official proof of current doctoral registration

• Official academic transcripts for undergraduate and postgraduate studies where applicable

• Official explanation of the grading system in English if required

• List of published articles

• Scopus or Web of Science links for each eligible publication

• Electronic copy of the first page of each publication showing the title, authors and abstract

• Two travel quotations covering return travel to the host country

• Estimated cost of living covering accommodation, meals, local transportation and health insurance

• Letter of invitation from the scientific host

• Confirmation that working space will be available during the proposed research period

• Binding declaration from the host institution requesting the relevant research cost allowance

The publication list and first pages of publications must be combined into a single PDF document.

Grant Amount and Eligible Costs

The maximum grant depends on the length of the proposed research stay.

• One month: up to €2,300

• One and a half months: up to €2,650

• Two months: up to €3,000

The maximum amount covers all expenses, including the host institution allowance.

How to Apply

1. Review the official AGNES Intra Africa Mobility Grant 2026 call and confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements.
2. Identify a university or research institute in another sub Saharan African country that provides the expertise, facilities or resources required for your doctoral research.
3. Establish contact with an appropriate scientific host and agree on the research proposal, activities and work schedule.
4. Prepare a research proposal of no more than five pages in English.
5. Complete the AGNES CV template in English.
6. Obtain official proof of doctoral registration and academic transcripts.
7. Prepare evidence of at least one thesis related publication in a journal indexed by Scopus or Web of Science.
8. Obtain two quotations for return travel to the host country.
9. Prepare an estimated cost of living for accommodation, meals, local transport and health insurance.
10. Obtain the required scientific host invitation letter and host institution declaration.
11. Combine the required publication evidence into the specified PDF document.
12. Submit the complete application through the official online application form before 16 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT.