ESSA Research Grants for PhD Holders (Attractive Funding)

There is no doubt that research students and researchers worldwide continue to seek research grants for their projects and studies. Thus, if you happen to be a researcher based in Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, or Senegal, you may be eligible to apply for grants available of up to $15,000 to support research aimed at strengthening Foundational Learning (FL) and helping shape education policy and practice. The application period is now open, and the interested eligible candidates are welcome to apply for the ESSA Research Grants. These grants are part of Phase 2 of the Education Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA) and Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Center’s Foundational Learning Project, which has been built on the success of Phase 1 to further develop and strengthen the FL researchers’ capacity across Sub-Saharan Africa to inform education practice and policy.

Brief Details Regarding the ESSA Research Grants

This initiative is supported by the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange and the Gates Foundation.

Program: ESSA Research Grants

Eligible Candidates: PhD Students

Eligible Countries: Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, and Senegal

Funding: Up to $15,000

Deadline: 31^st October 2025

Importance of Foundational Learning

The importance of financial learning is all the time high, since it is crucial for the lifelong success of the kids. It is at that level when kids start acquiring all the basic numeracy, literacy, and socio-emotional skills in their early years.

You Might Like: Global Youth Convention 2025 in Milan (Fully Funded)

This is the reason that investing in solutions, which work in local contexts and are led by local researchers, is so critical.

Reason for Funding Foundation Learning Researchers

The importance of ESSA Research Grants is high. Therefore, investing in locally-led Foundational Learning research is vital because it:

Created evidence, which directly informs policy and practice
Responds to country-specific priorities
Makes reflections of lived realities, classroom contexts, and experiences

Note: By funding education researchers of Africa, ESSA invests in local solutions, which can transform classrooms of the children and shape national education systems.

Eligibility Criteria for ESSA Research Grants

These grants are available for PhD students. The following criteria need to be met if one would like to apply.

Applicants must be Kenyan, Ghanaian, Zambian, or Senegalese citizens presently based in Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, or Senegal, respectively
The leading applicant (lead applicant) must possess a PhD degree and be working in a research institution, university, or government ministry/department in Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, or Senegal
Proposed research is required to focus on an area(s) identified in the individual country calls
It must be noted that the applicants are required to submit the applications and research report in English or French (in the case of Senegal)

Funding Availability

Under the ESSA Research Grants, the coverage will provide direct research expenses (such as researcher time), data collection, research materials, report designing, dissemination efforts, and travel for collaboration meetings.

You May Be Interested in: Research Council PhD Studentships (Various) in the UK