Researchers, academics, PhD candidates, and practitioners across Africa now have an exciting opportunity to secure a $5,000 research grant through the Adɔyɛ Research Associate Programme, an initiative of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) at the Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

The programme is seeking applications from African scholars and researchers interested in advancing knowledge on African feminist leadership, women’s philanthropy, social investment, feminist funding models, women-led institutions, and climate philanthropy.

Successful applicants will join a growing network of affiliated researchers contributing to scholarly and policy-oriented knowledge on women, philanthropy, and social investment in Africa while receiving funding to conduct original research.

About the Adɔyɛ Research Associate Programme

Adɔyɛ, meaning “Love in Action,” is a flagship programme of CAPSI dedicated to recognizing, understanding, amplifying, and supporting the role of women in philanthropy across Africa.

The programme builds on CAPSI’s mission to develop a new generation of African researchers, academics, and experts through:

Research and publications
Academic programmes
Knowledge-sharing initiatives
Policy engagement
Scholarly collaborations
Convenings and networking opportunities

Adɔyɛ embraces a broad understanding of women’s philanthropy, including:

Everyday and community-based giving
Civic and nonprofit engagement
High-net-worth philanthropy
Professional and academic contributions to philanthropy

The programme also adopts a pan-African perspective that includes the African diaspora and women from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities.

Grant Value

Selected Research Associates will receive:

A grant of $5,000 USD to conduct their proposed research project

In addition to financial support, researchers will gain access to:

Academic collaboration opportunities
Research seminars
Knowledge-sharing engagements
Scholarly networking platforms
Visibility through CAPSI’s research ecosystem

Programme Objective

The Adɔyɛ Research Associate Programme seeks to strengthen African scholarship and knowledge production on women, philanthropy, and social investment.

The initiative supports CAPSI’s Research Strategic Plan (2025–2027) and aims to:

Expand research on women in African philanthropy
Generate policy-relevant evidence
Strengthen academic contributions to philanthropy studies
Support emerging and established African scholars
Advance thought leadership on gender and social investment

Researchers will contribute original work that informs academic debates, public policy, development practice, and philanthropic strategies across Africa.

Research Themes

Applicants must submit research proposals aligned with one of four thematic pillars.

1. African Feminist Leadership, Ethics and Power

This theme explores how African women leaders influence philanthropy, social investment, and development through feminist leadership approaches.

Potential research areas include:

Feminist leadership models
Governance and accountability
Decision-making and resource allocation
Power dynamics and institutional transformation
Women’s leadership in impact investing
Decolonizing philanthropy
Digital philanthropy
Artificial intelligence and philanthropic governance

Research under this theme should provide practical insights for philanthropic institutions, policymakers, and development practitioners.

2. African Women in Philanthropy, Social Investment and Long-Term Systemic Change

This pillar examines how women’s giving practices and social investment activities contribute to sustainable development and structural transformation.

Potential areas of study include:

Community giving models
Women’s philanthropic agency
Collective solidarity initiatives
Impact investing
Catalytic funding
Social investment for development
Women’s contributions to economic inclusion

Researchers are encouraged to investigate how women are shaping more equitable and transformative development pathways across Africa.

3. Feminist Funding and Women-Led Philanthropic Institutions and Social Enterprises

This theme focuses on how funding flows through women-led institutions and organizations.

Areas of interest include:

Feminist funding models
Resource mobilization
Women-led social enterprises
Funding ecosystems
Access to capital
Sustainability models
Organizational resilience
Regulatory environments
Impact investing for women-led enterprises
Digital finance innovations

Research should offer actionable recommendations for funders, policymakers, investors, and women-led organizations.

4. Women, Philanthropy, Social Investment and Climate Philanthropy

Climate action and gender equity are increasingly interconnected, making this a particularly relevant area of study.

Potential topics include:

Climate philanthropy
Climate justice
Gender-responsive climate finance
Renewable energy investments
Sustainable agriculture
Water security
Environmental governance
Climate resilience initiatives
Women-led climate enterprises
Community-based environmental management

Researchers are encouraged to examine how women contribute to climate solutions and environmental sustainability across Africa.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility is open to African citizens with demonstrated research experience.

Applicants may include:

Academic researchers
University lecturers
PhD candidates
Early-career scholars
Independent researchers
Civil society practitioners
Nonprofit professionals
Philanthropy experts
Social investment specialists

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Requirements

Interested applicants must submit:

1. Research Proposal (2–3 Pages)

The proposal should include:

Proposed research title
Problem statement
Research objectives
Methodology
Expected contribution

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Applicants should provide a comprehensive CV highlighting their academic and professional experience.

3. Writing or Publication Sample

A sample demonstrating research and writing capabilities must be included.

Expected Deliverables

Successful Research Associates will be required to produce:

1. Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

Researchers must submit one high-quality academic article suitable for publication.

2. Policy Brief or Practitioner Note

A practical output translating research findings into recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.

All outputs must:

Demonstrate academic rigor
Offer policy relevance
Provide practical significance
Acknowledge CAPSI as an affiliate institution

Responsibilities of Research Associates

Selected researchers will:

Conduct independent, high-quality research
Participate in seminars and research engagements
Engage in knowledge-sharing activities
Contribute to scholarly collaboration
Support CAPSI’s research agenda
Strengthen African scholarship on philanthropy and social investment

Validation Workshop

Before final submission, researchers will participate in a validation workshop designed to strengthen the quality of commissioned papers.

The workshop will:

Facilitate peer review and feedback
Encourage scholarly dialogue
Strengthen research outputs
Promote collaboration among researchers

The event will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing participation both online and in person to ensure accessibility across Africa and the diaspora.

Important Dates

Call Launch: 3 May 2026
Application Deadline: 10 July 2026 at 23:59
Shortlisting: 17 July 2026
Selection Announcement: 21 July 2026
First Draft Submission: 1 October 2026
Second Draft and Policy Brief Submission: 25 October 2026
Final Outputs Due: 10 November 2026

How to Apply

Click here for more about this opportunity

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Why You Should Apply

This programme provides more than funding. It offers an opportunity to contribute to a growing body of African scholarship on gender, philanthropy, social investment, and development.

Researchers will gain financial support, scholarly visibility, networking opportunities, and the chance to influence policy and practice while helping shape important conversations about women’s leadership, philanthropy, and social transformation across Africa.

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Research Associate @Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI)