GSK’s Africa Open Lab is now accepting applications for its 2025 research grant, offering up to £100,000 to early-career African scientists spearheading innovative research on infectious diseases across sub-Saharan Africa.
What’s on offer?
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Generous Funding: Each award provides up to £100,000 for projects lasting up to 36 months. Funding covers equipment, fieldwork, data collection, consumables, and other research-related expenses.
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Career Advancement: Grantees will receive tailored scientific mentorship, training opportunities (such as short courses and institutional visits), and access to a global research network.
Who can apply?
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
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Research Focus: Projects must address infectious diseases with significant impact in sub-Saharan Africa, including:
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Malaria
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Tuberculosis (including drug-resistant TB)
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Enteric infections
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Antimicrobial resistance
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Other emerging or neglected diseases relevant to the region
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Scope of Study: Research may focus on epidemiology, pathophysiology, treatment and prevention strategies, access to vaccines and medicines, or antimicrobial stewardship.
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Policy Relevance: Proposals should produce actionable data with the potential to inform future funding, regional health priorities, or policy decisions.
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Ineligible Areas: Projects using animal models or those solely focused on drug or vaccine discovery will not be considered.
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Principal Investigator Requirements:
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Must be a national of a sub-Saharan African country
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Employed by an academic or research institution
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Within five years of receiving their highest postgraduate degree
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Hold at least a graduate-level degree (MSc, PhD, or MD)
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Demonstrate a track record of health-related research (e.g. publications, conference presentations, or policy work)
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How to apply?
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Submit a concept note and a CV using the templates provided on the GSK-supported studies portal.
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Shortlisting: Selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals.
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Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be judged on scientific merit, relevance to public health in the region, scalability, and career development potential for the lead investigator.
Deadline: September 3, 2025
GSK’s Africa Open Lab is now inviting applications for its 2025 research grant, providing up to £100,000 to support early-career African scientists in conducting innovative research on infectious diseases affecting sub-Saharan Africa. The grant supports projects lasting up to 36 months, covering costs like equipment and fieldwork, while also offering tailored mentorship, training, and networking opportunities for career advancement.
Eligible applicants must focus on research addressing significant infectious diseases in the region, such as malaria, TB, and antimicrobial resistance, among others. The scope can include epidemiology, treatment strategies, and policy relevance, emphasizing actionable data and health impact, but excludes studies using animal models. Principal Investigators need to be nationals of sub-Saharan African countries, associated with research institutions, within five years of their highest degree, and possess a strong research record.
Applications require submitting a concept note and CV through GSK's online portal, with selected candidates invited for full proposals. Evaluation considers scientific merit, public health relevance, and investigator development potential. The submission deadline is September 3, 2025.
