The African-German Network of Excellence in Science (AGNES) is inviting applications for its 2026 Intra-Africa Mobility Grants for Junior Researchers, supporting doctoral researchers from sub-Saharan Africa to undertake short-term research stays at universities or research institutes in another sub-Saharan African country.
Supported by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH), the programme is designed to strengthen scientific capacity, research collaboration and professional networks among young researchers across Africa.
The grants support research stays of one to two months and can provide up to EUR 3,000, depending on the duration of the approved stay.
The application deadline is 16 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT, with research stays expected to take place between 1 March and 31 July 2027.
Two AGNES Mobility Grant Opportunities
AGNES is offering two Intra-Africa Mobility Grants for Junior Researchers under the 2026 call.
The General AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grant is open to eligible male and female researchers.
The Special AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grant is exclusively for eligible female researchers.
Female candidates may apply for either or both grants, but can receive a maximum of one grant. Male candidates may apply only for the General AGNES Mobility Grant.
AGNES welcomes applications across academic disciplines, including sciences, humanities, law and social sciences.
There is no geographical quota for the awards. However, AGNES particularly welcomes eligible applications from researchers in several under-represented sub-Saharan African countries, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Cape Verde, Mauritius and São Tomé and PrÃncipe.
What the AGNES Grant Supports
The AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grant enables eligible doctoral candidates to spend one to two months conducting research at a university or research institute in another sub-Saharan African country.
During the research stay, the grantee works with an experienced researcher who serves as the scientific host.
The proposed research must contribute directly to the applicant’s doctoral research. Eligible activities can include:
- Laboratory or bench work
- Research studies
- Use of library resources
- Data or source-based research
- Thesis writing
- Other activities directly connected to the doctoral project
Applicants must demonstrate why the proposed research activity is relevant to the development of sub-Saharan African countries and why the specific work cannot be conducted in their home country.
The programme is intended to make short-term research mobility financially accessible by supporting travel, subsistence and, where requested, research costs at the host institution.
Grant Amount and Duration
The maximum grant depends on the length of the research stay:
- 1 month: Up to EUR 2,300
- 1.5 months: Up to EUR 2,650
- 2 months: Up to EUR 3,000
The grant is designed to cover expenses associated with the approved research stay, including travel and subsistence.
A research allowance may also be provided to the host institution upon request. Bench fees are deducted from the overall grant amount where applicable.
For Humanities and Social Sciences, the host research cost allowance is EUR 100 per month, while Natural and Life Sciences and Engineering Sciences may receive a host allowance of EUR 200 per month, subject to the stated conditions.
Applicants are also expected to arrange valid health insurance for the duration of their research stay.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements to be considered.
Candidates must:
- Be nationals of a sub-Saharan African country.
- Be officially registered for a doctoral degree at a university or tertiary institution in sub-Saharan Africa at the time of application.
- Be current doctoral students.
- Have at least one published article from their thesis work.
- Ensure the publication appears in a non-predatory journal indexed by SCOPUS or Web of Science.
- Have an identified scientific host at an institution in another sub-Saharan African country.
- Have a mutually agreed research proposal and work schedule with the scientific host.
- Demonstrate the relevance of the proposed research to development in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Demonstrate that the proposed research activity cannot be undertaken in their home country.
Applicants should carefully check the official call before applying, particularly regarding publication-indexing requirements and documentation.
Required Application Documents
Applications must be submitted in English and must include all required supporting documents.
Applicants will need to provide:
Research/project proposal: A maximum five-page proposal outlining the proposed research activities and work schedule at the host institution. The scientific host must agree in writing to the proposal and schedule.
CV: An English-language CV prepared using the official AGNES CV template.
Proof of doctoral registration: Official evidence confirming current registration for the postgraduate degree.
Academic transcripts: Official transcripts showing undergraduate and postgraduate grades. Where a transcript is not in English, applicants must provide an official explanation of the grading system in English.
Publication record: A list of published articles in qualifying journals, including SCOPUS or Web of Science links. Applicants must also provide an electronic copy of the first page of each publication showing the title, authors and abstract. These materials must be combined into one PDF.
Travel quotations: Two quotations for return travel between the applicant’s country of residence and the host country, using land transport or economy-class air travel.
Living-cost estimate: Estimated costs for accommodation, meals, local transportation and health insurance during the research stay.
Host invitation letter: A letter from the scientific host confirming that working space will be available and providing the required declaration concerning research-cost support.
The complete application must not exceed 12 MB.
Application Deadline and Research Period
The deadline to apply for the 2026 AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grants for Junior Researchers is:
16 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT
The selection meeting is scheduled for December 2026, with only selected candidates notified.
Approved research stays can commence from 1 March 2027 and must be completed by 31 July 2027.
The grant cannot be used to fund research stays retrospectively.
How to Apply
Interested doctoral researchers should complete the online AGNES application form and upload all required documents before the deadline.
Application deadline: 16 October 2026, 23:59 GMT
Research stay: 1–2 months
Maximum grant: EUR 3,000
Research period: 1 March–31 July 2027
Eligible region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Application language: English
Applicants should ensure that their submission is complete and follows the specified guidelines because applications with missing documents or that do not comply with the requirements may be automatically rejected.
For questions about the call, applicants can contact the AGNES Programme Manager by email or AGNES Secretary Prof. Zachary Getenga by [email.
