The CEGA Global Networks Research Grant Competition 2026 is a research funding opportunity offered through the Center for Effective Global Action at the University of California, Berkeley. It supports collaborative research designed to generate evidence that can inform public policy and development programmes in East and West Africa.
The competition invites joint proposals from CEGA Fellows and CEGA Affiliates for policy-relevant impact evaluations. Proposed studies must use rigorous research designs capable of identifying causal effects and demonstrate that the research can be implemented successfully.
CEGA Global Networks Research Grant Overview
For the 2026 competition, CEGA states that a total of $200,000 will be awarded across three to four projects, with individual projects able to request up to $67,000. This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to researchers working on development challenges who can establish an eligible collaboration and propose a feasible evaluation.
| Programme detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host organisation | Center for Effective Global Action |
| Institution | University of California, Berkeley |
| Research focus | Policy-relevant impact evaluations |
| Geographic focus | East and West Africa |
| Total funding | $200,000 |
| Expected projects funded | 3-4 |
| Maximum request per project | $67,000 |
| Deadline | November 15, 2026 |
CEGA Global Networks Research Grant Benefits
The grant offers benefits for eligible applicants, which include;
-
Research funding for eligible impact evaluation projects.
-
Support for policy-relevant research in East and West Africa.
-
Opportunities for collaboration between eligible CEGA Fellows and Affiliates.
-
Funding to conduct rigorous evaluations of development interventions.
-
An opportunity to generate evidence that can inform public policy and programmes.
-
Support for research implementation during the approved project period.
CEGA Global Networks Research Grant Eligibility
Here are the eligibility criteria applicants must meet;
-
Proposals must come from eligible CEGA Fellows and CEGA Affiliates working jointly.
-
Projects must address policy- or programme-relevant questions in East or West Africa.
-
Research proposals must use rigorous methods capable of identifying causal effects.
-
Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed study is feasible.
-
Proposed budgets must comply with the competition’s funding limits and rules.
-
Applicants must follow the official request for proposals and submission instructions.
This is a research grant competition, not an individual scholarship for undergraduate tuition.
How to Apply for the CEGA Global Networks Research Grant Competition 2026
Kindly follow the steps below to apply for the grant competition;
-
Visit the official CEGA Global Networks Research Grant Competition page.
-
Read the 2026 request for proposals and confirm eligibility.
-
Establish the required collaboration between eligible CEGA researchers.
-
Develop a research proposal with a clear question, rigorous evaluation design, implementation plan, and justified budget.
-
Prepare the supporting information required by the official call.
-
Submit the proposal through the designated Submittable portal before the deadline.
CEGA Global Networks Research Grant Deadline
The submission deadline is November 15, 2026. The official schedule lists January 19, 2027, for notifications, with the project performance period expected to run from May 15, 2027, to October 1, 2028.
Official Website
CEGA Global Networks Research Grant Competition – Official Call
FAQs
1. How much funding is available?
A total of $200,000 is available across three to four projects.
2. What is the maximum funding per project?
Eligible projects may request up to $67,000.
3. Can any student apply independently?
The competition is designed for eligible CEGA Fellows and Affiliates submitting joint proposals, not for general student scholarship applications.
4. Which regions are covered?
The programme focuses on research in East and West Africa.
CHECK THESE OUT:
University of Birmingham Postgraduate Chancellor’s Scholarship for China 2027
University of Gothenburg Adlerbert Foreign Student Hospitality Foundation Scholarship 2027 – Sweden
Faculty for the Future Fellowships 2027-2028 – Apply Now