The Cambridge‑Africa ALBORADA Research Fund has opened its 2026 Call for Applications, offering a major opportunity for collaborative research between scholars at the University of Cambridge and researchers based at African institutions. Established in 2012 through the generous support of The ALBORADA Trust, this fund has become one of the most impactful platforms for strengthening Africa–Cambridge research partnerships across diverse academic disciplines.

Since its inception, the Fund has awarded 392 grants, enabling Cambridge researchers to collaborate with colleagues from 38 African countries. Many of these collaborations have grown into long‑term research partnerships, with several awardees securing additional major funding such as the Royal Society/Leverhulme Awards and the Global Challenges Research Fund.

About the Cambridge‑Africa ALBORADA Research Fund

The Fund supports pairs of researchers—one based at the University of Cambridge (or an affiliated institution) and one based at an African institution. Eligible Cambridge‑affiliated institutions include:

• Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
• NIAB
• British Antarctic Survey
• Babraham Institute

The Fund is designed to initiate or strengthen research collaborations across all academic disciplines, making it one of the most inclusive research funding opportunities available.

Funding Amounts and What the Grant Covers

Applicants may request between £1,000 and £25,000 to support collaborative research activities. Funding may be used for:

1. Research Costs, including:
   • Laboratory reagents
   • Fieldwork expenses
   • Research equipment
2. Research Training Activities in Africa, such as:
   • Workshops
   • Short courses
   • Capacity‑building sessions

Important Restrictions

The ALBORADA Research Fund does not cover:

• Overheads
• PI salaries
• Administrative costs
• Bench fees
• Conference attendance

Applicants must review the full guidelines and eligibility criteria before submitting.

Application Process

The application process is fully online and requires participation from both the Cambridge‑based and Africa‑based researchers.

Step‑by‑Step Application Guide

1. Cambridge‑based applicant registers online
   • Only applicants with the following email domains may register:
     • @cam.ac.uk
     • @sanger.ac.uk
     • @babraham.ac.uk
     • @bas.ac.uk
     • @niab.com
2. Log in to the application portal
   • After logging in, the Cambridge applicant will see an option labeled “Invite a 2nd applicant to view/edit this submission.”
3. Invite the Africa‑based collaborator
   • The Cambridge applicant must invite the African partner to register and co‑edit the application.
4. Complete and submit the application
   • Both applicants may update, save, and edit the form before final submission.

Terms & Conditions

Successful applicants must sign award letters confirming compliance with the Fund’s requirements. Both the Cambridge PI and the African PI must sign these documents. Applicants are encouraged to review sample award letters before applying.

Deadline

The deadline to submit applications is 3 September 2026.

Why This Fund Matters

The Cambridge‑Africa ALBORADA Research Fund plays a crucial role in:

• Strengthening Africa–Cambridge academic partnerships
• Supporting early‑stage collaborative research
• Building research capacity across African institutions
• Enabling African and Cambridge researchers to generate preliminary data for larger grants

This fund continues to be a catalyst for impactful, long‑term scientific and academic collaboration.