Collaborative Network for Vaccine Research in West and East Africa
The National Research Fund of Kenya (NRF-Kenya), in partnership with the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), and Sierra Leone’s National Science, Technology and Innovation Council (NSTIC-SL), has launched a joint Call for Proposals under the CONNECT-VAX initiative.
The initiative aims to strengthen vaccine research, innovation, regulatory science, community engagement, and resilient vaccine delivery systems across East and West Africa. It responds to key challenges including limited local vaccine research and manufacturing capacity, regulatory gaps, vaccine hesitancy, inadequate research infrastructure, and challenges in vaccine delivery.
The Call supports research under four strategic pillars:
- Vaccine Research and Development Capacity – strengthening research infrastructure, human capital, vaccine innovation, local manufacturing and technology transfer.
- Regulatory Harmonization – strengthening regulatory systems, clinical trial coordination, vaccine safety and post-market surveillance.
- Vaccine Acceptance – addressing vaccine hesitancy, strengthening community trust, improving risk communication, and promoting inclusive vaccine uptake.
- Vaccine Delivery Systems – improving cold-chain and supply chains, last-mile delivery, digital health solutions, and health-system resilience.
- Call Opens: 14 August 2026
- Application Deadline: 14 October 2026 at 23:59 EAT
- Information Session Webinar: 25 August 2026 at 14:00 EAT
- Network and Team-Building Webinar: 28 August 2026 at 14:00 EAT
A total of USD 1,191,351 has been allocated for competitive research grants. The Call will support up to seven Large Collaborative Research Grants, with funding of up to USD 156,750 per project, and up to two Early Career Research Grants, with funding of up to USD 47,000 per project. Projects may run for a maximum of 36 months.
Researchers and eligible institutions are encouraged to review the full Call for Proposals and submit their applications through the www.nrims.uncst.go.ug
online platform before the deadline.
For more information please download document below:
