The CEGA 2026 Global Networks Research Grant Competition offers $200,000 in research funding for impact evaluations in eligible African countries. Eligible research teams can apply by November 15, 2026.
Background & Job Description
The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) has announced its 2026 Global Networks Research Grant Competition, inviting joint research proposals focused on policy-relevant impact evaluations in East and West Africa.
The competition will award a total of $200,000 across three to four projects, with individual projects eligible to request up to $67,000. The initiative aims to support rigorous research that generates evidence to inform policy and programme decisions.
Proposals should address important research questions, demonstrate the potential to advance knowledge and show how findings could support governments, policymakers or implementing organisations.
The funding is intended for eligible research teams rather than individuals seeking personal scholarships. Applicants must meet CEGA’s collaboration requirements and conduct research in one of the specified African countries.
Grant Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) |
| Grant competition | 2026 Global Networks Research Grant |
| Total funding | $200,000 |
| Number of projects | 3–4 |
| Maximum request per project | $67,000 |
| Eligible regions | East and West Africa |
| Eligible countries | 18 African countries |
| Proposal deadline | November 15, 2026 |
| Notification date | January 19, 2027 |
| Project period | May 15, 2027–October 1, 2028 |
| Application language | English |
| Application method | Submittable portal |
Tasks
Selected research teams will conduct policy- or programme-relevant impact evaluations using rigorous research designs capable of identifying causal effects.
Proposals should demonstrate that the intervention, programme or approach being evaluated is sufficiently developed and can be implemented successfully. Research should also address a concrete policy or programme need.
CEGA particularly encourages collaboration with end users of evidence, including government agencies, policymakers and implementing organisations. Teams should explain how their research aligns with partner priorities and how collaboration will help improve the use of evidence and strengthen institutional capacity.
Purely qualitative or descriptive studies are not eligible.
Qualifications
Eligibility and Research Team Requirements
Applications must involve a team comprising at least:
- One CEGA Fellow.
- One CEGA Affiliate.
PhD students may submit proposals if a CEGA Affiliate sponsors the study.
The competition accepts research proposals covering the following countries:
Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
All applications must be submitted in English.
Research Requirements
Competitive applications should demonstrate a rigorous research design, a clear policy or programme relevance and a realistic implementation plan.
Proposals should explain the significance and innovation of the research question, identify the intended beneficiaries of the evidence and establish that the relevant programme or intervention has the necessary partner support and implementation capacity.
Letters of support from key stakeholders may be included to demonstrate collaboration and commitment.
Additional Information
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit the following documents through the Submittable portal:
1. Research Proposal: Applicants must use the prescribed proposal template and address the evaluation criteria in the request for proposals. The proposal must not exceed seven pages, including the cover sheet. The PDF filename must follow the specified format: “Proposal_First three words of proposal title_study country.”
2. Budget Narrative: Applicants must provide a budget narrative using the example supplied with the competition materials.
3. Budget Spreadsheet: The accompanying Excel budget sheet must be completed in full.
Applicants should also consult the Global Networks Co-Authorship Statement, which outlines expectations for collaboration between the CEGA Fellow and CEGA Affiliate.
Important Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| RFP release date listed in the announcement | September 23, 2026 |
| Submission deadline | November 15, 2026 |
| Notification of decisions | January 19, 2027 |
| Subaward process | Late January–April 2027 |
| Project period begins | May 15, 2027 |
| Project period ends | October 1, 2028 |
Support With Finding Collaborators
CEGA offers a matchmaking process for eligible researchers seeking collaborators.
CEGA Fellows looking for an Affiliate, NGO or policymaker partner may contact Namita Karnik at namita_karnik@berkeley.edu with a short concept note and two to three proposed faculty members, NGOs or policymakers.
CEGA Affiliates may also contact the programme to seek a CEGA Fellow collaborator. Matching assistance depends on capacity, and CEGA does not guarantee that every interested researcher will find a match.
How to Apply
Eligible research teams should review the full request for proposals, prepare the required documents and submit their application through the Submittable portal linked in the official CEGA announcement.
Application deadline: November 15, 2026.
Applicants should consult the complete RFP for detailed submission requirements and assessment criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the CEGA Global Networks Research Grant Competition?
It is a research funding competition supporting rigorous impact evaluations intended to inform policy and programme decisions in East and West Africa.
2. How much funding is available?
CEGA will award a total of $200,000 across three to four projects. Individual projects may request up to $67,000.
3. Can individuals apply independently?
The competition requires research teams comprising at least one CEGA Fellow and one CEGA Affiliate. PhD students may apply when a CEGA Affiliate sponsors the study.
4. Which countries are eligible?
Eligible countries are Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
5. What types of research are eligible?
Proposals must use rigorous research designs capable of identifying causal effects. Purely qualitative or descriptive studies are not eligible.
6. When is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by November 15, 2026.
7. When will applicants receive the results?
The announcement lists January 19, 2027, as the notification date. The subaward process is scheduled for late January through April 2027.
8. How long will funded projects run?
The stated project period is May 15, 2027, through October 1, 2028.
9. Can researchers receive help finding collaborators?
Yes. CEGA offers matchmaking support, subject to capacity. Interested researchers should contact Namita Karnik with a short concept note and proposed collaborators.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The CEGA Global Networks Research Grant Competition may be relevant to researchers conducting rigorous impact evaluations in eligible African countries. The funding prioritises research with practical policy relevance, credible implementation plans and collaboration with organisations that can use the resulting evidence.
Researchers should confirm their CEGA Fellow and Affiliate collaboration arrangements, review the complete RFP and prepare all required documents before the November 15, 2026 deadline.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares research funding and educational opportunities for informational purposes. We are not affiliated with CEGA and do not administer this grant competition. Applicants should consult the official CEGA announcement and full request for proposals for authoritative requirements.
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