Africa’s education systems need more locally generated evidence to address the challenges faced by learners, teachers, and institutions. Investing in young researchers is essential to producing the knowledge that will shape better education policies and practices across the continent.
HERI Africa is committed to strengthening African-led education research by supporting the next generation of scholars through its network of Research Chairs at universities across Kenya.
Applications are now open for the HERI Africa Postgraduate Fellowship at Kenyatta University’s Research Chair in Life Skills and Values Education.
The fellowship offers Master’s and PhD students the opportunity to contribute to research that advances life skills and values education while becoming part of a continental effort to transform education through evidence.
The fellowship supports HERI Africa’s broader mission to increase Africa’s contribution to global education research from the current 3% to 30% by 2050, ensuring that research generated on the continent informs policies and solutions that respond to African realities.
Who should apply?
Applications are invited from postgraduate students, Master’s, and PhD in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning. The grant is provided by the HERI Africa Research Chair in Life Skills and Values Education at Kenyatta University and grant holders will contribute to the Research Chair theme as part of their studies.
Female applicants and people with special needs are especially encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be enrolled in a master’s or a PhD program at Kenyatta University.
- Be a Kenyan Citizen.
- Must be below 30 years (Masters) 35 years (PhD).
- Female applicants and those with special needs are encouraged to apply.
Your application should include a motivation letter, CV (with at least 2 referees), a copy of your national ID, and a letter of admission or proof of application for admission to the degree program.
Grant start date will
1st September 2026
Applications to be sent to:
heriafrica@ku.ac.ke
Application deadline: 14th August 2026
I’m a student at Kenyatta University,pursuing MSc Immunology and laboratory technologist at KEMRI’s Centre for Microbiology Research, I am pursuing research on oral cholera vaccine immunogenicity, focusing on age-stratified vibriocidal antibody and memory B cell responses in Kenyan adults. This work sits at the intersection of vaccine science and public health need, given cholera’s continued burden in endemic settings across Africa. Beyond the bench, I bring hands-on expertise in ELISA, flow cytometry, and PBMC isolation, paired with a growing interest in bioinformatics approaches to strengthen immunological research capacity on the continent. The HERI Africa Scholarship Fund would enable me to deepen this research and contribute meaningfully to Africa-led solutions in infectious disease immunology and vaccinology. I’m looking forward to an opportunity despite my age.
Hello Wamucii,
Thank you for sharing more about your research and experience. Your study on oral cholera vaccine immunogenicity is impressive and clearly geared towards generating evidence that can contribute to solutions for infectious disease challenges in Africa.
Unfortunately, the current HERI Africa Scholarship Fund call specifically targets research on Life Skills and Values Education, and our scope for this particular call does not extend to your area of specialisation in immunology and vaccinology.
We encourage you not to be discouraged and to explore other potential opportunities that may be more relevant to your research area. We also encourage you to keep following HERI Africa for future calls and opportunities that may align with your interests and expertise.
We appreciate your interest in HERI Africa and your commitment to advancing Africa-led research.