Education research organisations in Kenya, Malawi, and Senegal now have an opportunity to secure up to $160,000 in funding to strengthen evidence-informed EdTech policy and improve foundational learning outcomes.

The call is issued under the African EdTech Initiative (AEI), a three-year research programme funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and implemented by Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA), EdTech Hub, and Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA).

This competitive funding aims to empower local research organisations to collaborate directly with Ministries of Education (MoEs) and shape national EdTech strategies that improve foundational learning for all learners.

Application Deadline

Deadline: Monday, 2 March 2026, 9:00 AM GMT

Late submissions will not be considered.

About the African EdTech Initiative (AEI)

The African EdTech Initiative seeks to answer a critical policy question:

How can governments in sub-Saharan Africa coordinate EdTech research to enable strategic, effective, and cost-efficient improvements in foundational learning?

The programme works closely with Ministries of Education and local research organisations to generate context-specific, policy-relevant evidence that strengthens national EdTech systems.

Through this grant, selected organisations will co-lead country-level action research in partnership with their national Ministry of Education.

Grant Overview

Grant Amount: Up to $160,000
Duration: Approximately 18 months
Eligible Countries: Kenya, Malawi, Senegal
Number of Grants: One per country

Each grant will fund:

Research design and implementation
Coordination with the Ministry of Education
Policy engagement activities
Dissemination of findings

The goal is not only to produce research but to ensure findings are integrated into national policy processes and EdTech implementation plans focused on foundational learning.

What This Funding Supports

Selected research organisations will:

Identify priority EdTech research questions with Ministries
Co-design and implement country-level EdTech studies
Strengthen government capacity to coordinate research agendas
Support evidence-informed policymaking
Promote sustainable improvements in foundational learning

This initiative prioritises local ownership, context-driven solutions, and strong government partnerships.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must:

Be a legally registered entity (university, NGO, research institute, think tank, or private research firm)
Be operational in Kenya, Malawi, or Senegal
Demonstrate experience in EdTech research with a focus on foundational learning
Show capacity for robust, ethical, and policy-relevant research
Demonstrate experience working with Ministries of Education or relevant public sector stakeholders
Show commitment to gender inclusivity and diversity

Applicants must also demonstrate understanding of national education systems, curricula, and policymaking processes related to EdTech and foundational learning.

Why This Grant Matters

Strengthens local research leadership
Builds Ministry capacity to coordinate EdTech research
Influences national education policy
Promotes evidence-based innovation in foundational learning
Contributes to long-term improvements in education systems

For research organisations committed to improving learning outcomes through technology, this is a high-impact funding opportunity.

How to Apply

Interested organisations should:

Review the Call for Proposals
Read the Frequently Asked Questions
Complete the official Application Form

Applications must be submitted before 2 March 2026 at 9:00 AM GMT.

For full details and application access Click Here

For more grant opportunities check Here

Up to $160,000 EdTech Research Grants for Foundational Learning in Kenya, Malawi, and Senegal (Apply by 2 March 2026)

Job Description