The African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has launched the School Leadership Research Grants 2026 to support African researchers conducting action-oriented studies that strengthen school leadership and improve education outcomes across the continent.
The programme will fund 23 research projects across Africa, supporting both descriptive and comparative action research that generates evidence to inform education policy and practice.
About the Research Grants
The ACSL School Leadership Research Grants aim to strengthen school leadership by supporting rigorous research that addresses real-world educational challenges across Africa.
Researchers will collaborate closely with policymakers, practitioners, school leaders, and implementing institutions to ensure research findings contribute directly to improved education systems and learning outcomes.
Grant Categories
Two categories of grants are available:
Descriptive Action Research Grants
- 16 grants available
- Funding of up to USD 15,000
- Research conducted within a single educational context
- Project duration of 12 months
Comparative Action Research Grants
- 7 grants available
- Funding of up to USD 35,000
- Research conducted across two or more educational contexts
- Project duration of 24 months
Eligible Countries
Researchers from all African countries are eligible to apply.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of an African country and be based in Africa.
- Conduct research focusing on school leadership practice in one or more African countries.
- Serve as the Principal Investigator with a Doctorate in Education, Educational Leadership, Educational Management, or a closely related field, earned within the past five years.
- Submit proposals involving multidisciplinary research teams consisting of three to five members.
- Use an action research approach.
- Demonstrate meaningful collaboration with practitioners and policymakers.
Team Composition
Research teams are strongly encouraged to include:
- Female researchers
- Young researchers (under 35 years)
- Researchers with diverse academic backgrounds, including bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral graduates, or doctoral candidates
Cross-country collaborations are also encouraged.
Priority Areas
Applications addressing the following themes are particularly encouraged:
- Gender equality
- Disability inclusion
- Rural education
- Underserved communities
- Marginalized populations
- School leadership improvement
- Education policy
- Evidence-informed educational practice
Additional Opportunities
Successful researchers will also:
- Join the School Leadership Community of Learning
- Participate in the Blended Exchange and Learning Trajectory (BELT) programme
- Collaborate with education experts, policymakers, and fellow researchers across Africa
Information Webinar
An information webinar will be held to guide prospective applicants on:
- Application procedures
- Eligibility requirements
- Grant expectations
- Proposal preparation
Application Deadline
30 September 2026 (11:59 PM GMT)
Late applications will not be considered.
Why Apply?
The ACSL Research Grants provide an excellent opportunity for African education researchers to generate practical evidence that strengthens school leadership, informs national education policies, and improves learning outcomes across the continent. In addition to substantial funding, participants become part of a growing network of researchers committed to advancing educational leadership and sustainable education reform in Africa.
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