Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund: A Gateway for Collaborative Science

The Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund offers a significant opportunity for researchers in Cambridge and across Africa to build and strengthen collaborative projects. Established in 2012 with support from The ALBORADA Trust, this fund aims to foster partnerships across all academic disciplines. It provides seed funding that can lead to larger grants and impactful research outcomes.

Understanding the ALBORADA Research Fund

The Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund is designed to support joint research initiatives between institutions in Cambridge, UK, and universities or research institutes in African countries. The fund provides grants ranging from £1,000 to £25,000. These funds can be used for essential research costs, such as purchasing necessary reagents, covering fieldwork expenses, or acquiring equipment. Additionally, the grant can support research training activities conducted within Africa, like organizing courses or workshops.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund, applicants must meet specific criteria. The application process requires a joint submission from a researcher based at the University of Cambridge or an affiliated institution and a researcher based at an African university or a research institute of similar standing. Both individuals must hold a post-doctoral position or higher. It is also expected that both principal investigators have the support of their respective Heads of Department or equivalent and possess employment contracts that extend beyond the award’s end date.

While the fund primarily targets post-doctoral researchers and above, limited support for postgraduate students may be considered. This is only possible if there is a clear demonstration that the student’s involvement will significantly benefit and enhance the collaboration between the Cambridge and African principal investigators. The Cambridge-based applicant typically serves as the lead applicant for administrative purposes, as the awards are disbursed to their Cambridge departments, faculties, or institutes.

Key Eligibility Details

• Cambridge-based Applicant: Must be working at the University of Cambridge or an affiliated research institute. Examples of affiliated institutions include the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), and the British Antarctic Survey.
• Africa-based Applicant: Must be based at an African university or a research institute that holds a status comparable to a university.
• Project Co-creation: Both applicants must jointly develop and co-create the research project.
• Employment Status: Both applicants must hold an employment contract in their home institution’s research group, department, or faculty. This contract should extend beyond the project’s completion date.
• Student Support: Postgraduate students are generally not eligible, but their inclusion can be supported if it clearly strengthens the principal investigators’ collaboration.

The Application Process

The application for the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund is managed through an online form. This system allows both the Cambridge-based and Africa-based applicants to log in, make updates, save their progress, and submit the application electronically. The process begins with the Cambridge-based applicant registering on the designated platform. It is important to note that registration is restricted to specific email domains, including @cam.ac.uk, @sanger.ac.uk, @babraham.ac.uk, @bas.ac.uk, and @niab.com.

Once registered, the Cambridge applicant can invite their African counterpart to collaborate on the application. This is done by accessing a specific link within the application form that allows for the invitation of a second applicant to view and edit the submission. This collaborative approach ensures that both partners contribute equally to the proposal. The deadline for applications is September 3, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions