ACSL Research Grants 2026: Financial Support for School Leadership and Education Research in Africa with Funding of Up to $35,000 is now available for African Education Researchers. Applicants can Apply for the African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL) Cohort II Grants 2026, offering up to $15,000 for descriptive action research and $35,000 for comparative action research on school leadership across Africa.
ACSL School Leadership Research Grants 2026 – Cohort II Applications
The African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL) Kigali, Rwanda, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has opened applications for Cohort II of its School Leadership Research Grants 2026. These grants provide funding for African education researchers undertaking action-oriented research that strengthens school leadership and improves learning outcomes.
The programme supports researchers who generate practical evidence capable of influencing education policy, improving leadership practices in schools, and contributing to stronger education systems across the continent.
A total of 23 researchers will receive funding through two grant categories:
- Descriptive Action Research Grants — up to USD 15,000 each
- Comparative Action Research Grants — up to USD 35,000 each
Funded projects will address real challenges in school leadership while fostering collaboration between researchers, policymakers, practitioners, school leaders, and education institutions.
Application deadline: Wednesday, 30 September 2026, at 11:59 PM GMT
By promoting effective school leadership and fostering collaboration across the education sector, the African Centre for School Leadership continues to support lasting improvements in teaching, learning, and educational outcomes throughout Africa.
Purpose of the Grants
The ACSL Research Grants aim to promote high-quality, practical research that strengthens education leadership throughout Africa. The Centre seeks to support researchers who can produce evidence that helps decision-makers better understand the challenges facing school leaders and develop effective responses.
Successful projects are expected to contribute to:
- Stronger school leadership policies that reflect the realities of African education systems
- Improved educational practices in classrooms and schools
- Better learning outcomes for students
- More effective and responsive education systems overall
- Evidence-based decision-making at both policy and practice levels
The initiative recognises the central role school leaders play in raising educational quality and creating inclusive learning environments.
Available Grant Categories
1. Descriptive Action Research Grants
ACSL will award 16 grants of up to USD 15,000 each. These grants support research conducted within a single educational context over a 12-month period. Researchers will examine specific school leadership challenges, practices, or opportunities in their chosen setting, generating detailed insights that can inform local improvement efforts.
2. Comparative Action Research Grants
Seven grants of up to USD 35,000 each will support research carried out across two or more educational contexts over 24 months. Comparative studies may explore similarities and differences in school leadership approaches across regions, countries, or different types of education systems, offering broader lessons that can inform policy and practice at scale.
Research Focus Areas
The grants support action research on school leadership practices across Africa. Priority may be given to proposals that address:
- School leadership development and capacity building
- System-level improvements in education
- Practical challenges faced by school leaders
- Inclusive approaches to education leadership
- Gender equality within education systems
- Disability inclusion in schools and leadership
- Leadership in rural and underserved communities
- The links between education policy and everyday practice
Applicants are encouraged to design research that responds directly to challenges experienced by schools and education systems.
Who Can Apply for ACSL School Leadership Research Grants?
The grants are open to researchers from all African countries who meet the following requirements:
- Hold citizenship of an African country
- Be based in Africa
- Conduct research focused on school leadership practices in one or more African countries
- Lead a multidisciplinary research team of three to five members
The Principal Investigator must:
- Hold a Doctorate in Education, Educational Leadership, Educational Management, or a closely related field
- Have obtained the doctorate within the past five years
Research Team Composition
ACSL encourages diverse research teams that bring together different perspectives and expertise. Teams are particularly encouraged to include:
- Female researchers
- Young researchers under the age of 35
- Members from a range of academic backgrounds
- Individuals holding bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral qualifications
The programme actively promotes inclusive research collaboration and supports the professional development of emerging education researchers.
Research Approach
Applicants must demonstrate a clear action-research approach that involves meaningful engagement with:
- Education practitioners
- School leaders
- Policymakers
- Education institutions
The research should generate academic knowledge while also contributing to practical improvements in school leadership. Cross-country collaborations are strongly encouraged, especially proposals that address gender equality, disability inclusion, marginalised communities, rural education challenges, or other underserved populations.
Benefits for Successful Researchers
In addition to financial support, successful applicants join the School Leadership Community of Learning. They also participate in the Blended Exchange and Learning Trajectory (BELT), which provides opportunities for:
- Knowledge exchange with peers and experts
- Professional networking across the continent
- Collaboration with education specialists
- Sharing of research findings
- Learning from school leadership initiatives underway in different African contexts
Information Webinar
ACSL will host an information webinar for prospective applicants on 20 August 2026, from 12:00 PM–1:30 PM GMT (3:00 PM–4:30 PM EAT). The session will cover application procedures, eligibility requirements, grant expectations, and guidance on developing strong research proposals. Interested researchers are encouraged to attend before submitting their applications. SEND EMAIL: info@africancentreforschoolleadership.org
Application Deadline
All applications must be submitted by Wednesday, 30 September 2026, at 11:59 PM GMT.
Why These Grants Matter
Effective school leadership is essential for improving the quality of education and ensuring better learning outcomes for students. The ACSL Research Grants give African researchers the resources, networks, and platform needed to generate evidence that can directly support education transformation across the continent.
Coordinating partners
The ACSL is a coalition of partners in Africa coordinated by three partners, each playing a convening and coordinating role towards other regional and in-country partners. These are, the Association for Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), Education Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA), Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) and VVOB – education for development.
About the African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL)
The African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL) is a collaborative network of African organisations dedicated to strengthening school leadership and improving education across the continent. By bringing together experts in professional development, educational research, and policy, ACSL works to build stronger school leadership systems that enhance teaching quality, improve student learning outcomes, and support the overall development of schools.
Through partnerships with governments, education institutions, development organisations, and other stakeholders, ACSL promotes evidence-based leadership practices that contribute to more effective and inclusive education systems throughout Africa.
Vision
ACSL envisions an Africa where every learner has access to high-quality education that equips them with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to achieve a successful future.
Mission
The centre collaborates with governments and education partners to strengthen school leadership systems that improve teaching quality, student achievement, and the overall well-being of learners in schools across Africa.
Core Values
Excellence
ACSL is committed to promoting high standards in school leadership, teaching, learning, and educational outcomes, ensuring continuous improvement across the education sector.
Collaboration
The organisation values strong partnerships and encourages collaborative engagement with governments, educators, researchers, and development partners to achieve shared educational goals.
Ubuntu
Inspired by the African philosophy of Ubuntu, ACSL fosters a culture of mutual respect, shared responsibility, and collective progress, recognising that educational success is built through community and cooperation.
Innovation
The centre develops creative, research-informed solutions that respond to Africa’s diverse educational challenges, supporting adaptable and sustainable school leadership practices.
Inclusivity
ACSL is committed to ensuring that the voices and perspectives of all stakeholders—including educators, policymakers, communities, and development partners—are respected and reflected in its programmes, research, and initiatives.
ACSL Projects
The African Centre for School Leadership is developed through multi- and single-country projects implemented by VVOB, in cooperation with relevant partners.
Currently, four such projects have been initiated:
- ACSL-LIT-LEAD Tanzania
- ACSL Foundation Phase Project
- The GEM report background study: Research on school leadership competences in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Leadership Communities of Practice in Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Ghana
Through funding, structured learning opportunities, and collaboration, successful researchers will help strengthen school leadership systems and contribute to shaping the future of education in Africa. APPLY HERE – View other Grants.