Call for applications: 2026-2027 Joint WHO AFRO/TDR Impact Grants for Implementation Research for Regional Priorities

Background

WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) and the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) are pleased to announce the 2026–27 Call for Applications for the Joint AFRO/TDR Impact grants for regional priorities.

This call is a joint initiative between TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases and the WHO AFRO, which have a mutual interest in strengthening the capacity for health research in developing countries. The call reflects a commitment to increasing the level of implementation research to deliver high quality and cost-efficient health care solutions to people in resource poor settings.

The TDR Strategy 2024–2029 aims to build on the African region’s experience to support country-led implementation research to improve the health and well-being of the people living in the African region by strengthening health systems, improving access to health interventions, and addressing emerging global health challenges such as climate change and pandemics.

It also supports translation of research results into policy and practice by improving health and promoting the engagement of individuals and communities in using research evidence to reduce the disease burden in their respective countries.

Eligibility criteria

WHO AFRO and TDR are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity in science. Researchers are encouraged to apply irrespective of gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious, cultural and social backgrounds, or (dis)ability status.

In addition, the following criteria should be met:

• Proposals may only be submitted in English, French or Portuguese, using the eTDR portal.
• Applications are particularly encouraged from qualified applicants who are in the earlier career stage, are women, or are from the group of least-developed countries.
• Research proposed must be conducted in the African Region.
• The Principal Investigator (PI) and (most of) the research team must be based in an institution in an African Region country or territory, including national tropical/communicable disease control programmes, ministries of health, academic institutions, research institutes and nongovernmental organizations.
• The research project must relate to the objective and scope described in the present call.
• If implementation is sought to be in a health centre, an authorization letter from the public health manager or director is needed.
• Proposals submitted should include an acknowledgement letter signed by the manager of the programme area or the person in charge of the programme related to the project at any level of the public health/healthcare services (e.g. primary health care unit, municipal secretary of health, state department of health, or national ministry or secretary of health).
• Applicants must demonstrate experience in operational and/or implementation research. This might include, but is not limited to, evidence of having been trained in operational/implementation research and being able to conduct research independently. Such training could include the TDR Implementation Research Toolkit, the MOOC (massive open online course) on implementation research, or another formal research training experience.

Deadline for submission

• 15 September 2026 (17:00 CEST)

Eligible countries

• Only applicants from the African Region are eligible

Languages

• English, French or Portuguese

Funding

• Up to US$ 15 000 per grant

For questions/information related to this call for applications

Dr Constance Assohou-Luty — assohoulutycwho.int

Mrs Ritah Nakuya Turay — nakuyarwho.int