Education Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA), in partnership with VVOB – Education for Development and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), has launched a significant research funding initiative under the African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL).
Supported by the Mastercard Foundation, this programme aims to strengthen the evidence base on school leadership across Africa by supporting African researchers to generate context-specific, policy-relevant research.
Overview of the Grant Opportunity
The ACSL initiative provides funding for two categories of action research:
Descriptive Action Research – Up to $15,000 per grant
Comparative Action Research – Up to $35,000 per grant
The programme addresses a longstanding gap: the lack of high-quality, locally grounded research on school leadership that is aligned with the needs and priorities of African education systems.
Key Details
Application Deadline: Sunday, 11 January 2026 at 11:59 pm GMT
Eligible Countries: Tanzania (mainland & Zanzibar) and other selected African countries
Research Duration:
12 months for Descriptive Action Research
24 months for Comparative Action Research
Information Webinar: Tuesday, 2 December 2025, 12:00–1:30 pm GMT (3:00–4:30 pm EAT)
Application Process: Grant enquiry form and application portal available on ESSA’s official website
Grant Distribution
Tanzania (Mainland and Zanzibar)
10 Descriptive Action Research grants (up to $15,000 each)
4 Comparative Action Research grants (up to $35,000 each)
Other Eligible African Countries
15 Descriptive Action Research grants
10 Comparative Action Research grants
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are available on the ESSA website.
Why This Research Matters
ACSL’s evidence reviews highlight a significant shortage of research directly focused on school leadership across African education systems. Existing studies often lack coherence, depth, and policy relevance—limiting governments’ ability to design effective reforms.
Additionally, many African researchers face barriers to accessing research funding. This initiative seeks to address these inequalities by offering substantial financial support and promoting locally driven research.
The Value of Supporting African Researchers
The programme reinforces ESSA’s mission to elevate African expertise by:
Encouraging the production of context-specific evidence
Strengthening local research capacity
Enhancing policy relevance and advocacy
Ensuring African voices lead conversations on school leadership reform
Eligibility Criteria
Applications are open to:
African researchers based in Africa
Individuals with a PhD and affiliated with an African university, research institution, government department, or accredited knowledge organisation
Experienced researchers without a PhD who can demonstrate a strong research track record
Priority is given to proposals that incorporate:
Collaboration with early-career researchers
Participation of women researchers
Engagement with practitioners (e.g., head teachers)
Representation of diverse geographical contexts
All proposals must align with priority school leadership themes outlined in the ACSL concept note.
Strategic Importance of School Leadership Research
Effective school leadership is central to improving teaching quality, student outcomes, and system-wide resilience. By generating new evidence, this programme supports the design of policies that strengthen leadership practices and promote sustainable improvements in African education systems.
Moving Forward
Eligible African researchers are strongly encouraged to apply and contribute to a growing body of evidence shaping the future of school leadership on the continent. This initiative provides a platform to advance scholarship, inform policy, and foster cross-regional collaboration.
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