By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), in partnership with Wellcome, has announced a call for applications for the West and Central Africa cohort of the Afrique Research Support Hub (ARSH) Program.
This 12-month capacity-building and mentorship program is designed for post-PhD African researchers, offering targeted training, structured mentorship, and support to help them secure international research funding.
The ARSH Program aims to strengthen regional capacity by establishing research support hubs that empower postdoctoral researchers in Africa to access and manage international research grants. The program will be anchored by a central hub and three regional satellite stations—covering West and Central Africa (bilingual: French and English), Southern Africa, and Eastern Africa.
Eligibility Criteria
– PhD Holders: Applicants must hold a PhD in fields related to health and development.
– Early to Mid-Career Researchers: Within 15 years post-PhD.
– Citizenship: Citizens of West or Central African countries.
– Institutional Affiliation: Affiliated with a recognised academic or research institution in the region.
– Language: Fluency in English is required.
Program Benefits
– Hybrid Training: Online modules and assignments, plus an in-person grants writing workshop in Dakar, Senegal.
– Mentorship: 12 months of structured mentorship with monthly meetings and quarterly reporting.
– Seed Funding: Up to 10 mini-grants of $7,500 USD for activities like preliminary studies or conferences.
Application Process
1. Intent to Submit (Deadline: April 23, 2025):
Applicants should submit the following:
-
Full name
-
Institution
-
Proposed research title
-
Brief statement on how the research aligns with ARSH priorities
2. Full Application (Deadline: May 8, 2025):
Applicants must submit:
-
A detailed research concept note
-
Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
-
PhD certificate
-
Motivation letter
-
Letter of institutional support
Program Timeline
Application Review: May 15 – June 30, 2025
Notification of Selection: July 1–5, 2025
Virtual Course: July 6–31, 2025
In-Person Workshop in Dakar: August 25–29, 2025
Ongoing Mentorship: September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026
Eligible Countries
Applicants must be citizens of one of the following West or Central African countries:
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can begin their application process by filling in this form:
The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), along with Wellcome, is inviting applications for the Afrique Research Support Hub (ARSH) Program designed for African post-PhD researchers. This 12-month program provides capacity-building, targeted training, and structured mentorship to help researchers secure international funding. The program features a central hub with regional stations across West and Central Africa (bilingual), Southern Africa, and Eastern Africa, aiming to bolster regional research capacities.
Eligibility requires a PhD in health-related fields, within 15 years of receiving the PhD, citizenship in West or Central Africa, affiliation with a recognized institution, and English fluency. Program benefits include hybrid training, a grants writing workshop in Dakar, 12 months of structured mentorship, and up to $7,500 USD in mini-grants for preliminary studies or conferences.
The application process involves initially submitting an intent to submit by April 23, 2025, including basic personal and research information. A full application is due by May 8, 2025, requiring a research concept, CV, PhD certification, and institutional support letter. The program timeline includes reviews from May 15 to June 30, 2025, selection notifications by July 5, 2025, and ongoing mentorship till August 31, 2026. Eligible applicants may apply through the provided online form.
