The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) and the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) have launched the 2026–2027 Joint WHO African Region/TDR Impact Grants for Implementation Research for Regional Priorities.
The small-grants programme is designed to strengthen implementation research capacity and generate practical evidence that can help African countries improve health systems, increase access to health interventions, and address infectious diseases of poverty.
Eligible researchers and institutions in the African Region can apply for up to US$15,000 per grant to support research projects lasting a maximum of 12 months.
Why This Grant Matters
The grant programme responds to persistent weaknesses in health systems across the African Region, which continue to affect the delivery of effective and sustainable health services. Implementation research can help countries understand why proven health interventions are not reaching enough people, identify bottlenecks in service delivery, and develop solutions adapted to local contexts.
The 2026–2027 call seeks research that generates actionable knowledge, context-specific solutions and practical implementation strategies that can strengthen health systems and improve responses to infectious diseases of poverty. The programme also promotes collaboration between researchers, national programmes, health authorities, communities, and international partners.
Research Priorities
Proposed projects must align with the objectives and scope of the call and should address one or more of three priority areas.
Priority Area 1: Person-Centred Service Delivery Across the Life Course
Research Area
Description
Tuberculosis, Malaria & NTDs
Infectious diseases of poverty
Referral Systems
Continuity of care
Quality Improvement
Integrated health services
Scalable Innovations
Comprehensive primary health care
Priority Area 2: Health Systems Strengthening, Innovation and Digital Transformation
Research Area
Description
Essential Medicines & Diagnostics
Access and availability
Laboratory Systems
Supply chains
Quality of Care
Improvement strategies
Digital Health
Health information systems
Data Use
Health decision-making
AI-Supported Health Tools
Appropriate technology
Innovative Service Delivery
New models of care
Emergency Preparedness
Response readiness
Community Systems
Cross-sector collaboration
Priority Area 3: Environmental Health, Climate Change, One Health and Emerging Threats
Research Area
Description
Climate-Sensitive Diseases
Community-based adaptation
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Integration into primary health care
Antimicrobial Resistance
Responsible medicine use
One Health Approaches
Zoonotic and emerging diseases
Surveillance & Preparedness
Infectious disease monitoring
Multisectoral Collaboration
Emergency response
Why You Should Apply
Benefit
Description
Research Funding
Up to US$15,000 per grant
Implementation Research
Generate practical health evidence
Health Systems Impact
Strengthen African health systems
Capacity Building
Strengthen research capacity
Collaboration
Work with national programmes and communities
Career Development
Early-career researcher support
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Requirements
Location
Research conducted in the WHO African Region
Principal Investigator
Based at an institution in an African Region country
Research Team
Most members based in African Region
Experience
Operational and/or implementation research experience
Training
TDR Implementation Research Toolkit, MOOC, or recognised training
Institution Types
Ministries of health, universities, research institutes, NGOs, national control programmes
Special Encouragement
Early-career researchers, women researchers, least-developed countries
Eligible Institutions
Institution Type
Description
Ministries of Health
Government health authorities
National Control Programmes
Tropical/communicable disease programmes
Universities
Academic institutions
Research Institutes
Research organisations
NGOs
Non-governmental organisations
Application Requirements
Requirement
Description
Research Proposal
Completed and signed form
PI CV
One-page CV with institutional affiliation, contact details, qualifications, nationality, gender, date of birth, professional positions
Project Budget
Expressed in US dollars
Ethical Approval
Required documentation
Acknowledgement Letter
Signed by programme/health authority representative
File Format
Combined into one PDF: Name_SGS2026.pdf (e.g., SmithJ_SGS2026.pdf)
Additional Institutional Requirements
Requirement
Description
Health Centre Authorisation
Letter from relevant public health manager/director
Programme Acknowledgement
Signed by programme area manager or authorised person
Ethical Approvals
From relevant research ethics committees in African Region and target country
Grant Funding and Duration
Detail
Information
Maximum Funding
US$15,000 per grant
Co-funding
Encouraged from domestic sources or other partners
Research Period
Maximum 12 months
Completion
Must be completed by end of 2027
Extensions
No-cost extensions not permitted
Ethical Approval
Funding depends on obtaining required approvals
Selection Process
Stage
Description
Application Review
Competitive review by external reviewers and WHO AFRO/TDR representatives
Assessment Criteria
Scientific excellence, public health impact, quality and feasibility of implementation plan
Notification
Within approximately three months after application deadline
Person-Centred Service Delivery, Health Systems Strengthening & Digital Transformation, Environmental Health & One Health.
Q4. Who can apply?
Researchers and institutions in the WHO African Region.
Q5. Is co-funding allowed?
Yes, co-funding from domestic sources or other partners is encouraged.
Q6. Are extensions permitted?
No, no-cost extensions will not be permitted.
Q7. What languages can applications be submitted in?
English, French, or Portuguese.
Q8. What is the deadline?
15 September 2026 (17:00 CEST).
Q9. How to apply?
Online through the eTDR Community Site.
Q10. Who can I contact for questions?
Dr Constance Assohou-Luty at assohoulutyc@who.int for programme questions; Ms Elisabetta Dessi at dessie@who.int or etdr@who.int for technical questions.
CareerFlora Expert Insight
The 2026–2027 Joint WHO AFRO/TDR Impact Grants provide African researchers and institutions with a significant opportunity to generate practical evidence for improving health systems and addressing major public health challenges. With funding of up to US$15,000, the programme is particularly relevant to researchers working on implementation research, infectious diseases of poverty, digital health, climate change, One Health, health-system strengthening, and community-centred health interventions.
The special encouragement for early-career researchers, women researchers, and researchers from least-developed countries makes this grant particularly accessible to those who may face additional barriers to research funding.
Best Opportunity For
Category
Suitable
Health Researchers
Yes
Implementation Research Specialists
Yes
Infectious Disease Researchers
Yes
Early-Career Researchers
Yes
Women Researchers
Yes
Least-Developed Country Researchers
Yes
Public Health Professionals
Yes
Academic Institutions
Yes
Research Institutes
Yes
NGOs
Yes
Competition Level
Category
Level
Overall Competition
High
Selection Difficulty
Competitive
Application Complexity
Medium
CareerFlora Recommendation
Area
Details
Grant Value
Good
Career Growth
High
Application Difficulty
Medium
Apply Early
Strongly Recommended
Final Call-to-Action
Apply for WHO AFRO/TDR Impact Grants 2026–2027 before 15 September 2026.
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