ACET Young Leaders in Research (YLR) Grant 2026: Up to $15,000 for Early-Career African Researchers

<p class="PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer" data-start="165" data-end="183"><strong data-start="165" data-end="181">Key Details:</strong></p> <ul data-start="184" data-end="907"> <li data-section-id="11vjmun" data-start="184" data-end="220"><strong data-start="186" data-end="198">Funding:</strong> Up to <strong data-start="205" data-end="218">US$15,000</strong></li> <li data-section-id="61lnjg" data-start="221" data-end="248"><strong data-start="223" data-end="236">Duration:</strong> 12 months</li> <li data-section-id="x34xlm" data-start="249" data-end="327"><strong data-start="251" data-end="269">Who Can Apply:</strong> Early-career African researchers aged <strong data-start="308" data-end="325">35 or younger</strong></li> <li data-section-id="1q9m01l" data-start="328" data-end="408"><strong data-start="330" data-end="354">Academic Background:</strong> Master’s degree or higher, completed or in progress</li> <li data-section-id="1ihfate" data-start="409" data-end="458"><strong data-start="411" data-end="422">Fields:</strong> Economics and related disciplines</li> <li data-section-id="hkbtj4" data-start="459" data-end="586"><strong data-start="461" data-end="480">Research Focus:</strong> Gender Equality, Regional Integration, Innovation &amp; Digital Policy, and Green Industrial Transformation</li> <li data-section-id="19x3ll9" data-start="587" data-end="704"><strong data-start="589" data-end="602">Benefits:</strong> Research funding, mentorship, peer learning, networking, publication and presentation opportunities</li> <li data-section-id="9lafhl" data-start="705" data-end="803"><strong data-start="707" data-end="723">Eligibility:</strong> African nationals or applicants with permanent residency in African countries</li> <li data-section-id="141uste" data-start="804" data-end="907"><strong data-start="806" data-end="819">Provider:</strong> African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET)</li> </ul> <h2 class="PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer" data-section-id="1sdnswy" data-start="211" data-end="235">About the YLR Program</h2> <p data-start="237" data-end="640">The Young Leaders in Research (YLR) Program is a 12-month grant. It supports early-career African researchers in economics and related fields to lead policy-relevant, context-driven research that advances Africa’s transformation agenda. Young Researchers receive funding, mentorship, visibility, and professional development support to elevate their research and influence policymaking on the continent.</p> <h2 data-section-id="10bteaw" data-start="642" data-end="656">Eligibility</h2> <ul data-start="658" data-end="1211"> <li data-section-id="1t6ymzr" data-start="658" data-end="770">Preference will be given to African Nationals or applicants who hold permanent residency in African countries.</li> <li data-section-id="ljkn2o" data-start="771" data-end="877">Applicants should exhibit leadership qualities and commitment to positively impacting Africa and beyond.</li> <li data-section-id="4u6765" data-start="878" data-end="897">Age 35 or younger</li> <li data-section-id="1cwg3pd" data-start="898" data-end="953">Completed or enrolled in a master’s degree or higher.</li> <li data-section-id="46hp1s" data-start="954" data-end="998">Background in economics or related fields.</li> <li data-section-id="129yecy" data-start="999" data-end="1211">Demonstrated interest in research through coursework, internships, volunteer work, or personal projects. This may include participation in academic work or projects or contributions to community-based projects.</li> </ul> <h2 data-section-id="1chjg65" data-start="1213" data-end="1232">Support Provided</h2> <ul data-start="1234" data-end="1383"> <li data-section-id="mgffo3" data-start="1234" data-end="1265">Up to $15,000 research grant.</li> <li data-section-id="gueju2" data-start="1266" data-end="1304">Mentorship from ACET Senior Fellows.</li> <li data-section-id="1q7o8iz" data-start="1305" data-end="1335">Peer learning and networking</li> <li data-section-id="ktxwrp" data-start="1336" data-end="1383">Opportunity for publication and presentation.</li> </ul> <h2 data-section-id="g9dy1z" data-start="1385" data-end="1406">Topics of Research</h2> <ul data-start="1408" data-end="1494"> <li data-section-id="1uuxhqb" data-start="1408" data-end="1430">Regional Integration</li> <li data-section-id="1lrv2op" data-start="1431" data-end="1460">Innovation &amp; Digital Policy</li> <li data-section-id="lh52n9" data-start="1461" data-end="1494">Green Industrial Transformation</li> </ul> <h2 data-section-id="12e98w1" data-start="1496" data-end="1522">Submission requirements</h2> <ul data-start="1524" data-end="1644"> <li data-section-id="jpqwna" data-start="1524" data-end="1555">Concept note (max 800 words).</li> <li data-section-id="1fpm2i1" data-start="1556" data-end="1595">Statement of purpose (max 500 words).</li> <li data-section-id="1o4e4z" data-start="1596" data-end="1601">CV.</li> <li data-section-id="7unijl" data-start="1602" data-end="1644">Two academic or professional references.</li> </ul> <p><a href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=bc1FYvce2kybUCpqQ9NBAfdT0K9w1N1DguRGpTxOJXhUNUNRVUVDWjkzVzVPRkxCMTM4N1BSR0FHNi4u" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong data-start="1943" data-end="1964">Apply for Program</strong></a></p> <h2 data-section-id="99n810" data-start="1646" data-end="1664">Important Dates</h2> <ul data-start="1666" data-end="1882"> <li data-section-id="ncfxil" data-start="1666" data-end="1716">Call for Applications opens: <strong data-start="1697" data-end="1716">10 August 2026.</strong></li> <li data-section-id="1ynhix5" data-start="1717" data-end="1769">Rolling Review Period: <strong data-start="1742" data-end="1769">Until September 7 2025.</strong></li> <li data-section-id="b4ctl3" data-start="1770" data-end="1806">Interviews: <strong data-start="1784" data-end="1806">Mid-November 2026.</strong></li> <li data-section-id="uj7i41" data-start="1807" data-end="1844">Cohort announced: <strong data-start="1827" data-end="1844">December 2026</strong></li> <li data-section-id="1k7ed2g" data-start="1845" data-end="1882">Program Start: <strong data-start="1862" data-end="1882">January 1, 2027.</strong></li> </ul> <h2 data-section-id="a2jb2d" data-start="1884" data-end="1894">Contact</h2> <p data-start="1896" data-end="1914">Email questions to</p> <p data-start="1916" data-end="1941"><strong data-start="1916" data-end="1941"><a class="decorated-link cursor-pointer" rel="noopener" data-start="1918" data-end="1939">ylr@acetforafrica.org</a></strong></p> <p data-start="1943" data-end="1964"><a href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=bc1FYvce2kybUCpqQ9NBAfdT0K9w1N1DguRGpTxOJXhUNUNRVUVDWjkzVzVPRkxCMTM4N1BSR0FHNi4u" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong data-start="1943" data-end="1964">Apply for Program</strong></a></p> <p data-start="1966" data-end="2026">See more at <a href="https://acetforafrica.org/young-leaders-in-research/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong data-start="1978" data-end="2026">acetforafrica.org/young-leaders-in-research/</strong></a></p> <p data-start="2028" data-end="2049" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><a href="https://acetforafrica.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong data-start="2028" data-end="2049" data-is-last-node="">acetforafrica.org</strong></a></p> <p data-start="2028" data-end="2049" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><strong>Discover more <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=grant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Grant</a> and <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=research" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research</a> opportunities on OFY.</strong></p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/08/13/acet-young-leaders-in-research-ylr-grant-2026-up-to-15000-for-early-career-african-researchers/">ACET Young Leaders in Research (YLR) Grant 2026: Up to $15,000 for Early-Career African Researchers</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>