WHO AFRO and TDR Impact Grants 2026–2027: Up to US$15,000 Available for Health Research Projects Across Africa

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WHO AFRO and TDR Impact Grants 2026–2027: Up to US$15,000 Available for Health Research Projects Across Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) African Region and TDR are inviting researchers across Africa to apply for the 2026–2027 Joint Impact Grants for Implementation Research. Successful projects can receive up to US$15,000 in funding. Applications close on 15 September 2026.

Researchers, academic institutions, health ministries, non-governmental organizations and public health professionals across Africa now have an opportunity to secure funding for innovative implementation research projects through the 2026–2027 Joint WHO African Region (AFRO) and TDR Impact Grants for Regional Priorities.

The funding programme, launched jointly by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) and the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), aims to strengthen health research capacity and generate practical solutions to some of Africa’s most pressing health challenges.

Applications are currently open, with successful projects eligible to receive up to US$15,000 in grant funding. The deadline for submissions is 15 September 2026 at 17:00 CEST.

Supporting Research That Improves Public Health Outcomes

The grant programme was established in recognition of the significant health challenges facing many countries across the African continent.

Despite progress in healthcare delivery, many African nations continue to experience high burdens of communicable and non-communicable diseases. While advances in medicines, vaccines and diagnostics have improved health outcomes, barriers often remain when it comes to implementing interventions effectively at community and health system levels.

Implementation research plays a critical role in identifying these barriers and finding practical, evidence-based solutions that improve healthcare delivery.

WHO AFRO and TDR believe that strengthening implementation research can help countries improve access to healthcare services, strengthen health systems and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Why These Grants Matter

The Joint Impact Grants are designed to do more than fund research projects.

The programme seeks to strengthen research capacity within African institutions while supporting the generation of actionable knowledge that can directly influence public health policies and healthcare practices.

The initiative aligns with the TDR Strategy 2024–2029, which focuses on supporting country-led implementation research aimed at improving health outcomes, strengthening health systems and addressing emerging challenges such as pandemics, climate change and infectious diseases of poverty.

Researchers funded through the programme will be encouraged to work closely with policymakers, healthcare providers and communities to ensure that research findings translate into meaningful improvements in public health.

Main Objectives of the Programme

The Joint WHO AFRO/TDR Impact Grants have three primary objectives:

1. Strengthening Research Capacity

The programme aims to develop the capabilities of researchers and institutions across Africa by supporting practical implementation research projects.

2. Generating Actionable Knowledge

Funded projects should produce context-specific solutions and implementation strategies that can help countries improve health systems and address infectious diseases of poverty.

3. Encouraging Collaboration and One Health Approaches

Researchers are encouraged to adopt multidisciplinary approaches that bring together stakeholders from different sectors while recognizing the interconnected relationship between human, animal and environmental health.

Priority Research Areas

The 2026–2027 funding call focuses on implementation research that addresses regional public health priorities.

Person-Centred Service Delivery Across the Life Course

This priority area focuses on strengthening primary healthcare systems and improving integrated service delivery.

Research topics may include:

Tuberculosis (TB)
Malaria
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
Referral systems and continuity of care
Quality improvement initiatives
Sustainable healthcare innovations

The goal is to support the transition from fragmented healthcare programmes toward more integrated and person-centred models of care.

Health Systems Strengthening and Digital Transformation

Researchers are encouraged to explore innovative solutions that improve healthcare delivery and strengthen health systems.

Potential research areas include:

Access to essential medicines and diagnostics
Laboratory strengthening
Supply chain management
Digital health technologies
Health information systems
Data-driven decision making
Artificial intelligence tools for healthcare
Emergency preparedness and response systems
Community health system strengthening

These projects should focus on overcoming barriers that limit the effectiveness and scalability of healthcare interventions.

Who Can Apply?

The funding opportunity is open exclusively to applicants from countries within the WHO African Region.

Eligible applicants may include:

Universities and academic institutions
Research institutes
Ministries of Health
National disease control programmes
Public health organizations
Non-governmental organizations

The Principal Investigator (PI) and the majority of the research team must be based in an institution located within the African Region.

The proposed research must also be conducted within the African Region.

Special Encouragement for Early-Career Researchers

WHO AFRO and TDR are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in science.

Applications are particularly encouraged from:

Early-career researchers
Women researchers
Researchers from least-developed countries
Diverse and underrepresented groups

The programme welcomes applicants regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, religion, disability status or social background.

Funding Available

Successful projects may receive:

Up to US$15,000 per grant
Funding for implementation research activities
Opportunities to collaborate with regional and international partners

While grant funding is available, co-funding from domestic or external sources is encouraged where possible.

Project Duration

Research projects funded through the programme must:

Have a maximum duration of 12 months
Be completed by the end of 2027
Operate within approved timelines
Not require no-cost extensions

Researchers should therefore develop realistic implementation plans that can be completed within the specified period.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed competitively by external experts as well as WHO AFRO and TDR representatives.

Projects will be assessed based on:

Scientific excellence
Public health relevance
Potential impact
Feasibility of implementation
Strength of the project plan

Applicants can expect to receive feedback on the outcome of their submissions within approximately three months after the application deadline.

Funding approvals will also depend on obtaining the necessary ethical clearances from relevant ethics committees.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the eTDR Community Site.

Applicants may submit proposals in:

English
French
Portuguese

Required application documents include:

Completed research proposal form
One-page CV of the Principal Investigator
Detailed project budget in US dollars
Ethical approval documentation (where applicable)
Signed acknowledgement letters from relevant programme managers or health authorities

All documents must be combined into a single PDF file before submission.

Applications close on:

15 September 2026 at 17:00 CEST

Final Thoughts

The 2026–2027 Joint WHO AFRO/TDR Impact Grants represent an important opportunity for African researchers to contribute directly to improving health outcomes across the continent.

With funding of up to US$15,000, the programme supports implementation research that can strengthen health systems, improve disease control efforts and generate practical solutions for communities facing significant health challenges.

Researchers with innovative ideas that address healthcare delivery, digital transformation, climate-related health risks or infectious diseases are encouraged to prepare their proposals and apply before the September deadline. The initiative offers not only funding but also an opportunity to influence policy, strengthen research capacity and contribute to healthier futures across Africa.