GET INVOLVED: THE AREF-MRC TOWARDS LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME 

Call for applications-

The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) is thrilled to announce the launch of the Towards Leadership Programme in collaboration with the UKRI Medical Research Council (MRC).

Aim:

The AREF Towards Leadership programme aims to empower talented emerging scientists in Africa to compete successfully for UKRI MRC and other major funding opportunities in global health research. By investing in African scientists, we aim to enhance their global health research and leadership potential.

Programme Details:

The programme will run from October 2024 to October 2025 and will consist of two residential workshops (opening and closing) and one virtual workshop. The curriculum is designed to enhance participants’ capabilities and empower them to compete successfully for funding opportunities, collaborate internationally, and build rewarding research careers.

Programme Outline:

The programme comprises three blended workshops at six-monthly intervals, supplemented by webinars, tutorials, and online resources. Participants will undergo baseline and end-of-programme assessments and evaluations and collaborate with other participants.

Themes of the Programme:

The programme is tailored to meet the needs of each cohort and includes the following themes:

1. The Researcher as a Leader: Focuses on leadership in a complex world, self-awareness, mindfulness, coaching, influence, and leadership capabilities.
2. The Effective Researcher: Develops skills in personal development planning, time management, and mentorship to envision, plan, and action career goals.
3. The Researcher as a Communicator: Enhances leadership, authorship, and authority skills through effective presentations, storytelling, messaging, and engagement with research users.
4. The Compelling Applicant: Covers proposal development, research question formulation, strategy justification, data sharing, understanding peer review, and fellowship interviews.
5. The Researcher as a Manager: Focuses on team-building, collaboration, implementation planning, working with research support and finance departments, budget management, and intellectual property management.

Key Events:

• The opening workshop is scheduled for 25-27th November 2024.
• Workshop 2 will be held virtually from 17 to 21 March 2025.
• The closing workshop is planned for October 2025.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must be citizens of an African country, employed by a recognized university or research institution in Africa, and early-career researchers. They must hold a research doctorate or have a medical/clinical qualification with a research-relevant Master’s degree obtained within the last 10 years. Additionally, applicants should have experience in obtaining research funding and demonstrate evidence of leading or actively participating in research teams conducting Global Health Research.

For more information Visit AREF.

Application Process:

To apply for the Towards Leadership Programme, submit your application online by 6 May 2024. Applicants must demonstrate their potential to benefit themselves and their home institutions through a persuasive personal statement. Click here to Apply.

Selection Process:

Successful applicants will be notified in early to mid-July 2024. Nominees must be fully committed to participating in all three workshops of the Programme.

For Inquiries:

For general inquiries about the AREF Towards Leadership programme, contact us at aref@aref-africa.org.uk.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your research and leadership potential in global health! Apply now and make a difference in your community