Educational Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA), in partnership with the REAL Centre, has launched the 2025 Research Grants on Foundational Learning, offering up to $15,000 per award. This program supports African researchers who are working to improve Foundational Learning (FL) and influence education policy and practice in their countries.
Why This Grant Matters
Foundational Learning is the building block of a child’s lifelong success. It equips children with essential literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills during their early school years. However, many learners in sub-Saharan Africa still lack these basic competencies. By funding local researchers, this program helps generate evidence-based solutions tailored to each country’s context.
Grant Objectives
- Strengthen the capacity of researchers in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and Zambia.
- Produce evidence that directly informs education policies and classroom practices.
- Promote locally led studies that respond to national priorities and reflect real classroom experiences.
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Funding Details
- Deadline for applications: Friday, 31 October 2025 (11:59 pm GMT)
- Grant amount: Up to $15,000 per project
- Number of grants: Up to four per country (for individuals or research teams)
- Eligible countries: Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and Zambia
What the Grant Covers
The funding supports direct research costs such as:
- Researcher’s time and research materials
- Data collection and report design
- Travel for collaboration meetings
- Dissemination and knowledge-sharing activities
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, or Zambia and based in their respective countries.
- The lead applicant must hold a PhD and work in a university, research institution, or government department/ministry.
- Proposals must focus on areas identified in the country-specific calls.
- Applications and reports must be submitted in English (or French for Senegal).
A webinar with full details will be held on Tuesday, 7 October 2025 (9.00–10.30 am GMT | 11.00–12.30 pm GMT+2 | 12.00–1.30 pm EAT).
African researchers passionate about improving Foundational Learning are encouraged to apply and join a growing network of experts shaping the future of education in the region.
For more information, visit the Educational Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA) website.
