COVID-19 Africa Rapid Grant Fund framework and application guidelines (EN)

The COVID-19 Africa Rapid Grant Fund was created as an initiative to prepare African research and science engagement communities in addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the urgent and evolving public health crisis, the Fund sought to support rapid, relevant, and locally led interventions. Specifically, the Fund aimed to catalyse locally grounded responses across Africa.

Strategic objectives

In line with its mission, the Fund was designed to:

• First, support Africa’s continental and national responses to COVID-19.
• Second, enable the generation and distribution of context-specific knowledge to inform diagnostics, prevention, and treatment strategies.
• Third, strengthen science engagement to counter misinformation and promote evidence-based public communication.
• Finally, enhance science-policy advisory mechanisms through rapid, coordinated expert input.

Collectively, these objectives aimed to strengthen the scientific ecosystem’s role in addressing the socio-economic and public health impacts of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa.

Scope and priority areas

To deliver on its objectives, the Rapid Grant Fund encompassed three main strands, each responding to key challenges and opportunities identified across the continent:

1. Research, focused on generating new knowledge in priority areas such as:
   • The virology and transmission of COVID-19
   • Localised prevention and control strategies
   • Governance and health system responses
   • Socio-cultural dynamics and vulnerable populations
   • Mental health and community resilience
   • Misinformation and science communication challenges
2. Journalism and communication, aimed at strengthening the role of science and health communicators in:
   • Disseminating accurate public health information
   • Countering disinformation and stigma
   • Highlighting under-reported socio-economic and cultural impacts of the pandemic
   • Promoting Indigenous knowledge and local innovations
3. Policy and Advisory Support, designed to support African national academies and expert bodies in:
   • Providing rapid science advice to policymakers
   • Convening multidisciplinary expert groups
   • Strengthening foresight and preparedness for future health emergencies

Eligibility and Implementation

Regarding participation, applications were open to individuals and organisations in 17 SGCI-participating countries. In particular, for research funding, priority was given to African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) members in Nigeria and South Africa, with room for collaborative partnerships across institutions.

Furthermore, eligibility requirements ensured the lead applicants possessed strong academic or professional experience, with at least five years in relevant fields.

Moreover, emphasis was placed on diversity and inclusion. To ensure wide accessibility, all funded outputs were required to be made available under open access, aligning with broader principles of transparency and knowledge equity.

Funding Overview

Funding supported activities such as fieldwork, dissemination, knowledge-sharing events, and capacity building.

• Research grants: Up to USD 100,000 for 24 months
• Science communication projects: Up to USD 20,000 for 18 months
• Science advisory initiatives: Up to USD 50,000 for 24 months

Review and Evaluation

All proposals underwent rigorous peer review or evaluation against criteria including:

• Relevance and quality of proposed activities
• Experience and composition of project teams
• Potential contribution to national, regional, or continental COVID-19 responses
• Integration of gender and diversity considerations

Summarising the COVID-19 Africa Rapid Grant Fund frame

The Fund represented an important shift toward African-led, contextually relevant responses to a global crisis. Moving forwar, lessons from this initiative continue to inform the broader agenda of strengthening research ecosystems and science granting mechanisms in Africa.