Motsepe Presidential Research Accelerator Fund for Africa
Internal — Harvard University only
Motsepe Presidential Research Accelerator Fund for Africa supports Harvard faculty-led and student-driven research to address key challenges and opportunities facing Africa.
Funder: Harvard University
Due Dates: October 5, 2026 (Application cycle opens) | December 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Supports research, associated travel, and publication and dissemination of findings
Summary: Supports faculty-led and student-driven research addressing key challenges and opportunities facing Africa.
Key Information: Only Harvard faculty members may apply.
Description
The Motsepe Presidential Research Accelerator Fund for Africa supports faculty-led and student-driven research addressing key challenges and opportunities facing Africa. Made possible by a gift from the Motsepe Foundation, it is administered by Harvard’s Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs, in collaboration with the Center for African Studies.
Research priorities include emerging technologies and the Fourth Industrial Revolution; climate change and its effects on health, livelihoods, agriculture, water, and sanitation; renewable energy and its benefits to infrastructure and society; health; aging; materials science; and governance and policies for an entrepreneurial economy. Special consideration is given to multidisciplinary collaboration across Harvard Schools, collaboration with Africa-based academics, and projects integrating the arts and humanities into STEM research.
