Brief Description
Applications are officially open for the 2025/2026 Harvard University Motsepe Presidential Research Accelerator Fund for Africa — a groundbreaking and time-sensitive opportunity for visionary African researchers, scholars, and innovators. Act fast! This prestigious program was just announced and provides an unmatched platform for Africa’s brightest minds to collaborate with Harvard University’s global network in advancing cutting-edge research that addresses the continent’s most pressing challenges.
This transformative research accelerator fund, made possible through a generous gift from the Motsepe Foundation, is jointly administered by Harvard University’s Office of the Vice Provost for Research, the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs, and the Center for African Studies. Together, these bodies are dedicated to empowering African researchers, faculty, and students to shape the future of innovation and development across Africa.
The Motsepe Presidential Research Accelerator Fund for Africa is designed to support faculty-led and student-driven research projects that advance knowledge and provide solutions to Africa’s most critical and emerging issues. These include governance, entrepreneurship, technology, sustainability, climate resilience, renewable energy, and public health.
Core Focus Areas
Participants in this prestigious program will conduct impactful research in key areas including:
•⁠ ⁠Governance and policies fostering an entrepreneurial economy
•⁠ ⁠Emerging technologies and the Fourth Industrial Revolution
•⁠ ⁠Climate change and its effects on health, livelihoods, agriculture, water, and sanitation
•⁠ ⁠Renewable energy and its impact on infrastructure and society
•⁠ ⁠Health and wellness innovations
•⁠ ⁠Aging and social development
•⁠ ⁠Materials science and technological advancement
This fund is not just a grant — it’s an opportunity to join a global community of researchers determined to make a lasting difference. The 2025/2026 edition is a final call for eligible African scholars to seize this time-sensitive opportunity and contribute to shaping Africa’s future through impactful research.

Name of Organizer
The Harvard University Motsepe Presidential Research Accelerator Fund for Africa is organized by the Motsepe Foundation, in partnership with Harvard University.