UNESCO Science for Crisis Response and Solutions Research Continuity Grants for Africa 2026

Applications are open for the UNESCO Science for Crisis Response and Solutions (SCRS) Research Continuity Grants for Africa 2026, a small grants initiative designed to help African researchers continue scientific work disrupted by crises. The programme supports researchers whose natural science research has been interrupted by armed conflict, natural hazards, or biological hazards, helping them recover research progress and protect valuable scientific knowledge.

Launched as a pilot initiative under UNESCO’s Science for Crisis Response and Solutions Programme, the call will award six institutional grants of up to US$2,000 each. The funding is intended to support clearly defined research activities that can help researchers resume or complete interrupted work, preserve scientific data, and maintain research capacity in crisis affected environments.

The grants target African nationals based at recognized universities or research institutes in African countries. Applicants must have at least a Master’s degree or an equivalent recognized research qualification in a relevant field and demonstrate that their research has been affected by a qualifying crisis within the past three years, or remains materially affected by its consequences.

About the Opportunity

The UNESCO SCRS Research Continuity Grants aim to address the disruption of scientific research caused by emergencies. Conflict and natural or biological hazards can interrupt fieldwork, damage access to research facilities, limit access to equipment, disrupt data collection, and put scientific records at risk.

Through this pilot call, UNESCO seeks to help eligible researchers carry out a defined part of their interrupted research rather than provide unrestricted research funding. Proposed activities must directly address the effects of the interruption and be achievable within six months and the maximum grant amount.

The initiative focuses on natural sciences, including interdisciplinary projects with a substantial natural science component. Researchers must explain how the crisis affected their work and show how the proposed activities will help restore or complete a meaningful part of the research.

Grant Benefits

Successful applicants may receive:

• A research continuity grant of up to US$2,000.

• Support to resume or complete a clearly defined part of interrupted research.

• Funding for eligible research supplies and consumables.

• Support for local fieldwork and research related travel.

• Assistance with data collection, processing, and secure storage.

• Support for minor equipment repairs or essential short term access to research facilities and equipment.

• Potential coverage of eligible laboratory, publication, and open access costs.

• An opportunity to preserve valuable research data and strengthen scientific capacity in crisis affected settings.

Research Areas

The call supports natural science research, including interdisciplinary research where the natural science component is substantial.

Eligible proposals may involve research affected by armed conflict, natural hazards, or biological hazards. The proposed activities should address a specific interruption and contribute to resuming, completing, or safeguarding the research.

Depending on the project, eligible activities may include:

• Purchasing consumables and small research supplies.

• Conducting local fieldwork and research travel.

• Collecting, processing, or securely storing research data.

• Repairing essential research equipment.

• Obtaining short term access to laboratories, equipment, or research facilities.

• Covering eligible laboratory, publication, and open access expenses.

All proposed costs must be directly connected to the interrupted research and fall within the grant ceiling.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Be an African national.

• Be based at a recognized university or research institute in an African country.

• Hold at least a Master’s degree or an equivalent recognized research qualification in a relevant field.

• Conduct research in the natural sciences or interdisciplinary research with a substantial natural science component.

• Demonstrate that the research was interrupted by an armed conflict, natural hazard, or biological hazard within the previous three years, or that the consequences continue to materially affect the research.

• Propose a focused set of activities that can be completed within six months.

• Keep the requested budget within the maximum grant amount of US$2,000.

• Obtain a signed institutional support letter from an authorized representative of the host institution.

• Confirm that the same proposed costs are not being funded by another source.

Researchers from all African countries may apply if they meet the eligibility and crisis related requirements. Women scientists, researchers under 40, and researchers from least developed countries and African Small Island Developing States are particularly encouraged to submit applications.

Required Application Documents

Applicants should prepare the following materials:

• A completed and signed application form in English or French.

• A current curriculum vitae.

• Proof of the highest relevant academic qualification.

• A signed institutional support letter from an authorized representative of the host institution.

• Any ethics approval, research authorization, or fieldwork permit required for the proposed activities.

Applicants should also ensure that their proposal clearly describes the interrupted research, the effect of the crisis, the activities to be completed, and the costs for which support is requested.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to submit an application:

1. Read the official call documents. Review the Call for Applications, Terms of Reference, and Concept Note to understand the eligibility rules, funding restrictions, and application requirements.
2. Identify the research interruption. Explain how an armed conflict, natural hazard, or biological hazard disrupted the research or continues to affect its progress.
3. Define the proposed activities. Identify a specific and achievable part of the research that can be resumed or completed within six months.
4. Prepare the budget. List the eligible expenses required to carry out the proposed activities. Ensure the total request does not exceed US$2,000 and that the same costs are not being funded elsewhere.
5. Gather the supporting documents. Complete and sign the application form, prepare your CV and academic qualification evidence, obtain the institutional support letter, and include any necessary research or ethics authorizations.
6. Submit the application online. Use the official UNESCO SCRS application process and submit the completed form and supporting documents in English or French before the deadline.