Applications open for Postgraduate Research Grant Program in Kenya

Deadline: 06-Mar-2026

The National Research Fund (NRF) Postgraduate Research Grant Program supports high-quality master’s and doctoral research in Kenya aligned with national development priorities. Grants cover direct research costs, including equipment, consumables, trials, and capacity building, with funding up to KSh 500,000 for master’s students and KSh 2,000,000 for doctoral researchers. Eligible applicants are full-time Kenyan postgraduate students whose research demonstrates originality, feasibility, and potential academic, policy, or societal impact.

Program Overview

The NRF Postgraduate Research Grant Program aims to strengthen Kenya’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystem by supporting postgraduate research that:

• Encourages innovative and original research

• Enhances research skills, mentorship, and timely completion of studies

• Generates knowledge with academic, policy, and societal impact

• Promotes interdisciplinary and inclusive research approaches

The program supports only the research component of master’s and doctoral programmes, across multiple scientific areas, including:

• Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

• Physical, Industrial, and Energy Sciences

• Biological and Health Sciences

• Infrastructure, Information, and Communication Sciences

• Humanities and Social Sciences

• Earth and Space Sciences

• Emerging Technologies

Funding Details

Funding for Master’s Research:

• Maximum grant: KSh 500,000

• Duration: 1 year

• Covers research costs only (tuition fees are not eligible)

Funding for Doctoral Research:

• Maximum grant: KSh 2,000,000

• Duration: up to 3 years

• Covers research costs only (tuition fees are not eligible)

Allowable Expenses:

• Equipment, consumables, and essential infrastructure or system upgrades

• Research output trials

• Mobility costs for project activities (capped at 20% of total grant)

• Capacity building, knowledge sharing, research uptake, and dissemination

Non-Eligible Expenses:

• Tuition fees

• Any costs unrelated to the approved research activities

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be Kenyan citizens

• For master’s research: below 35 years at the time of application

• For doctoral research: below 45 years at the time of application

• Be full-time postgraduate students at a recognized Kenyan institution

• Have an approved research proposal endorsed by the supervisor and the relevant postgraduate board

• Demonstrate feasibility of completing research within the grant period

• Not be receiving funding from another grant covering the same research costs

Application Process

1. Prepare a detailed research proposal including objectives, methodology, feasibility, impact, and budget justification

2. Obtain endorsement letters signed by:

   • Researcher

   • Supervisor

   • Graduate school or faculty

   • Head of Institution (with official institutional stamp)

3. Submit the application electronically through the Online Grants Management System by 6 March 2026 at 23:59 hours

4. Only successful applicants will be contacted following the review process

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Quality and originality of research

• Relevance to national development priorities and NRF objectives

• Feasibility of completing research within the grant period

• Budget justification and value for money

• Potential impact on academia, policy, and society

• Suitability of research design and methodology

• Technical capacity of the researcher and adequacy of supervision

Reporting and Grant Management

Funded researchers are required to:

• Submit semiannual progress reports and a final report endorsed by the Head of Institution

• Publish results in peer-reviewed international journals

• Acknowledge the National Research Fund in all publications

• Provide a full account of project expenditures within 30 days of completion

• Return any unexpended funds at the end of the grant cycle

Why This Programme Matters

The NRF Postgraduate Research Grant Program:

• Strengthens Kenya’s STI ecosystem by building research capacity

• Supports innovative, original research in priority areas

• Promotes knowledge dissemination with academic, policy, and societal impact

• Encourages interdisciplinary and inclusive research practices

• Facilitates timely completion and professional development of postgraduate researchers

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting applications after the deadline

• Failing to include all required endorsements

• Requesting funding for tuition or unrelated costs

• Submitting incomplete or unclear research proposals

• Ignoring budget justification or feasibility planning

• Applying for research already funded under another grant

Conclusion

The NRF Postgraduate Research Grant Program provides essential support for Kenyan postgraduate students to conduct high-quality, impactful research. By funding direct research costs, promoting capacity building, and ensuring alignment with national priorities, the program strengthens Kenya’s scientific ecosystem, fosters innovation, and produces research with tangible academic, policy, and societal benefits.

For more information, visit National Research Fund.