Application Deadline: September 15, 2026
About the Grants
The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) and the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) have launched the 2026–2027 Joint WHO African Region/TDR Impact Grants for Implementation Research for Regional Priorities. The small-grants programme is designed to strengthen implementation research capacity and generate practical evidence that can help African countries improve health systems, increase access to health interventions, and address infectious diseases of poverty. Eligible researchers and institutions in the African Region can apply for up to US$15,000 per grant to support research projects lasting a maximum of 12 months.
About the Impact Grants
The grant programme responds to persistent weaknesses in health systems across the African Region, which continue to affect the delivery of effective and sustainable health services. Implementation research can help countries understand why proven health interventions are not reaching enough people, identify bottlenecks in service delivery, and develop solutions adapted to local contexts. The 2026–2027 call seeks research that generates actionable knowledge, context-specific solutions, and practical implementation strategies that can strengthen health systems and improve responses to infectious diseases of poverty. The programme also promotes collaboration between researchers, national programmes, health authorities, communities, and international partners.
Research Priorities
Proposed projects must align with the objectives and scope of the call and should address one or more of three priority areas:
1. Person-Centred Service Delivery Across the Life Course: This priority supports implementation research aimed at moving health systems away from fragmented and vertically structured programmes toward more integrated, person-centred primary health care models.
Potential research areas include:
- Tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases
- Referral systems and continuity of care
- Quality improvement within integrated health services
- Scalable and sustainable innovations for comprehensive primary health care
2. Health Systems Strengthening, Innovation and Digital Transformation: Research under this priority should address systemic barriers preventing health interventions from being scaled, sustained, or delivered effectively.
Relevant areas include:
- Access to essential medicines and diagnostics
- Laboratory systems and supply chains
- Digital health innovations and health information systems
- Health workforce capacity and performance
- Financing and governance for health systems strengthening
3. Cross-Cutting and Emerging Priorities: Implementation research that addresses cross-cutting issues affecting health systems and disease control efforts may also be considered. This could include research on:
- Climate change and health
- Urban health and informal settlements
- Health equity and social determinants of health
- Gender and health systems
- Community engagement and participation
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be researchers or institutions based in the WHO African Region
- Projects must be conducted in the African Region
- Research must address one or more of the priority areas
- Projects must be completed within 12 months
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the eTDR online platform by September 15, 2026 at 17:00 CEST.
Application Link: Click here to apply
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