The Cambridge University Mastercard Research Fund is designed to foster collaborations between researchers in Africa and Cambridge while supporting high-quality training initiatives.
This fund provides two grant options:
Research Catalyst Grant – Up to £20,000
Workshop Grant – Up to £50,000
This article outlines the details, eligibility requirements, and step-by-step application guide for interested candidates.
Cambridge University Mastercard Research Fund Summary
Host Institutions: Mastercard Foundation | University of Cambridge
Category: Fellowships
Eligible Countries: African Countries
Funding Amount: Up to £50,000
IELTS Requirement: Not Required
Application Deadline: March 21, 2025
About the Cambridge University Mastercard Research Fund
The Mastercard Foundation and University of Cambridge have established the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Research Fund to enhance collaborations between African researchers and Cambridge scholars.
The fund focuses on climate resilience and sustainability research, broadly interpreted to include diverse academic disciplines.
Each award is granted to a pair of researchers:
One from an African university or research institution
One from the University of Cambridge
The initiative encourages innovative, multidisciplinary, and interdisciplinary research.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Research Fund, applicants must:
Be postdoctoral researchers or have equivalent experience.
Apply as a pair, with one researcher from Africa and one from Cambridge.
Propose research in any academic field related to climate resilience and sustainability.
Submit multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary research proposals, including training activities.
Benefits of the Cambridge University Mastercard Research Fund
£7.7 million investment by the Mastercard Foundation.
Annual awards cycle running from 2025 to 2030.
Grants will support projects over a 12-month period.
Two funding options:
Research Catalyst Grant (up to £20,000).
Workshop Grant (up to £50,000).
Successful applicants can leverage preliminary results to secure additional funding from other organizations.
Required Documents
Applicants must prepare and submit the following:
1. Application Form
2. Case for Support
3. Itemized Budget (template provided)
4. Lay Summary
5. Letter of Support from the Cambridge-based researcher’s department/faculty.
6. Letter of Support from the Africa-based researcher’s institution.
7. CVs (maximum 2 pages each) for both researchers.
8. Details of Two Referees (must not be from the same department).
How to Apply
To apply for the 2025 Cambridge University Mastercard Research Fund, follow these steps:
1. Register and complete the online application form on the Cambridge-Africa website.
2. Upload all required documents as listed above.
3. Submit your application before the deadline: March 21, 2025.
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