HERI Africa — Harnessing Education Research for Impact in Africa
Open for applicationsGESI-2026

Research Chair in Gender, Equity and Social Inclusion in Education

OpensTBA
Closes31 Oct 2026
TimezoneAfrica/Nairobi
27 days left to apply

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Overview

Eligibility

Eligible Kenyan universities, individually or as joint applicants

Selection process

Applications move through the following stages from submission to public launch.

1
Open Call
2
Eligibility Screening
3
Independent Peer Review
4
Institutional Capacity Assessment
5
Interviews Presentations Optional
6
Steering Committee Approval
7
Funding Negotiations
8
Host Agreement Signing
9
Public Launch

Application rules

Joint applications from multiple institutions are allowed.
Incomplete submissions are allowed — warnings do not block submission.
Progress is saved automatically as you type.
One active application per lead institution is permitted.

Application sections

13 sections

Review the requirements below before you start. Sign in to work on any section at any time — your progress is saved automatically.

1Applicant institution and contact information10 questionsSection 1, page 3
  • Applicant institution (full legal name)Text input
    Expected for progress
  • CountryCountry selector
    Expected for progress
  • Is this a joint application?Yes / No
    Expected for progress
  • Proposed Chair Holder - full name and academic titleText input
    Expected for progress
  • Proposed Assistant Chair Holder - full name and academic titleText input
    Expected for progress
  • Institutional focal person - nameText input
    Expected for progress
  • Focal person - role / titleText input
    Expected for progress
  • Focal person - emailEmail
    Expected for progress
  • Focal person - phonePhone number
    Expected for progress
  • Vice Chancellor / DVC (Research) - name (for commitment letter)Text input
    Expected for progress
2Joint / partner institutions (if applicable)1 questionsSection 2, page 3

Shown when "institution is_joint_application" is yes

  • PartnersRepeatable list
    • Partner institution and role in the proposal (Text input)
    • Letter attached (Yes / No)
    • Key responsibilities (Long-form text)
3Host institution eligibility screening2 questionsSection 3, pages 3-4

Advisory only — responses do not block submission.

  • Research capacityCriteria checklist
    • Strong postgraduate programs in gender and inclusion.
    • Proven research excellence based on publication records and influence on policy and practice.
    • Existing gender and inclusion strategy and initiatives.
    • Institutional commitment to diversity.
    • Capacity to administer interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary grants.
    • Strong financial management systems.
    • Research ethics approval mechanisms.
    • Digital infrastructure.
    • National, regional and international partnerships.
    • Commitment from the Vice Chancellor and senior management to support operationalisation of the Research Chair.
    Response: Yes No + Supporting Evidence
  • Institutional commitmentCriteria checklist
    • Dedicated office space.
    • Administrative support.
    • Research infrastructure.
    • ICT facilities.
    • Institutional co-investment.
    • Reduced teaching load.
    • Sustainability beyond HERI Africa funding.
    Response: Yes No + Details
4Chair Holder and Assistant Chair Holder - 4A Chair Holder, 4B Assistant Chair Holder4 questionsSection 4, pages 4-5
  • Chair HolderGrouped fields
    • Full name and academic title (Text input)
    • Current position and department (Text input)
    • Highest qualification and awarding institution (Text input)
    • Number of peer-reviewed publications in gender and inclusion (Whole number)
  • Chair Holder eligibilityCriteria checklist
    • Holds a PhD in the relevant field (gender, inclusion).
    • Is an Associate Professor or Professor.
    • Demonstrates regional and international research recognition.
    • Has extensive publications - a proven publication record in gender and inclusion.
    • Has supervised multiple PhD and Master's students.
    • Has secured competitive grants.
    • Demonstrates policy influence.
    • Has experience leading multidisciplinary research teams.
    Response: Yes No + Supporting Evidence
  • Assistant Chair HolderGrouped fields
    • Full name and academic title (Text input)
    • Current position and department (Text input)
    • Highest qualification and awarding institution (Text input)
    • Number of peer-reviewed publications in gender and inclusion (Whole number)
  • Adapted Assistant Chair Holder eligibilityCriteria checklist
    • Holds a PhD (or is at an advanced stage of doctoral candidacy) in a relevant field.
    • Has an active, demonstrable publication or research record in gender and inclusion.
    • Has experience supporting or co-leading multidisciplinary research teams.
    • Has experience in postgraduate mentorship or supervision.
    • Demonstrates capacity to assume Chair Holder responsibilities in the Chair Holder's absence.
    • Demonstrates institutional and administrative commitment to the Chair's program of work.
    Response: Yes No + Supporting Evidence
5Priority research themes2 questionsSection 5, page 6
  • Priority_themesMulti-select (cards)
    Expected for progress
  • How do these themes intersect in your proposed program?Long-form text
    Expected for progress
6Ten-year institutional research program - strategic positioning1 questionsSection 6 (call Section 8), page 7
  • Describe how your ten-year program will achieve the strategic positioningLong-form text
7Proposal narrative11 questionsSection 6, pages 7-9
  • Executive summaryLong-form text
  • Institutional profileLong-form text
  • Research program (5-10 years)Long-form text
  • Human capital development planLong-form text
  • Institutional transformation strategyLong-form text
  • Partnership planLong-form text
  • Theory of changeLong-form text
  • Monitoring and evaluation framework (summary - detailed indicators in Appendix 2)Long-form text
  • Sustainability planLong-form text
  • Summary budget narrative (detailed budget in Appendix 3)Long-form text
  • Risk management planLong-form text
8Institutional commitments4 questionsSection 8, pages 10-11
  • Physical resourcesLong-form text
  • Human resourcesLong-form text
  • Academic supportLong-form text
  • Financial contribution (institutional co-investment)Long-form text
9Expected deliverables - five-year targets1 questionsSection 9, page 12
  • Deliverable_targetsNumeric targets
    • Peer-reviewed journal articles
    • Books / edited volumes
    • Policy briefs / working papers
    • PhD graduates
    • Master's graduates
    • Postdoctoral fellows
    • National policy reviews / technical advisory reports
    • Regional policy dialogues
    • Gender measurement tools / digital platforms / training modules / OER
    • Annual conferences / public lectures / community engagement activities
    Response: Target 5 Years
10Monitoring, evaluation and learningSection 10, pages 12-13

Section content is configured when you start the application.

11Funding model / budget summarySection 11, page 14

Section content is configured when you start the application.

12Declaration7 questionsSection 13, page 16
  • We confirm that the information provided in this application is accurate and that the host institution named above commits to the resources, timelines and governance arrangements described.attestation
  • Vice Chancellor / Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) - nameText input
  • Vice Chancellor / Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) signaturesignature_acknowledgement
  • Datedate
  • Proposed Chair Holder - nameText input
  • Proposed Chair Holder signaturesignature_acknowledgement
  • Datedate
13Review and Submit

Section content is configured when you start the application.

Required documents

10 documents

The following documents must or may be uploaded with your application. Missing documents will not block submission.

Required

Cover page (proposal title, institution logo(s))

N/A

Section 12 / source Section 10(i)

Required

Chair Holder CV

6 pages max

Section 12 / source Section 10(iv)

Required

Detailed Monitoring and Evaluation Framework - Appendix 2 (indicators)

Attach in full

Section 12 / source Sections 10(x), 11

Required

Detailed budget workbook - Appendix 3

Attach in full

Section 12 / source Section 10(xii)

Required

Letters of Institutional Commitment signed by Vice Chancellor or Deputy Vice Chancellor - Research

1 letter per institutionMultiple files

Section 12 / source Section 10(xiii)

Optional

Letters of support from partner institutions

One per partnerMultiple files

Section 12 / joint applications

Required when "institution is_joint_application" is yes

Optional

Evidence of research ethics approval mechanism (e.g. IREC/ERC certificate or policy)

As available

Section 12 / source Section 5(vii)

Optional

Evidence of existing gender and inclusion strategy

As available

Section 12 / source Section 5(iii)

Required

Assistant Chair Holder CV

25MB

Opportunity guidance

Required

Detailed Workplan

25MB

Opportunity guidance

Accepted file types: PDF, DOCX, XLSX, CSV, PNG, JPG, JPEG. All files are scanned for security threats before processing.

Frequently asked questions

18 questions

Answers to common questions from prospective applicants. This list is updated as new enquiries are received during the call period.

1Who is eligible to apply for the HERI Africa Research Chair?

Applications are open to eligible Kenyan public and private universities with demonstrated excellence in research, strong postgraduate programmes, institutional commitment to gender, inclusion in education, sound financial management systems, and adequate research infrastructure. Applicants/universities should also demonstrate commitment from senior leadership to support the Chair.

2Can two or more universities submit a joint application?

Yes. HERI Africa encourages joint applications where universities can demonstrate complementary strengths. Joint applications should clearly define the roles, responsibilities and contributions of each partner institution.

3Can a university partner with a non-university institution(s)?

Yes, this is permissible so long as the university is the lead institution and the research chair holder will be hosted at the university, then the non-university institution can provide a co-chair. The responsibilities for each of the institutions should be spelt out clearly and provide support letters or joint memorandum.

4What minimum (non-negotiable) qualifications should the proposed Chair Holder possess?

The Chair Holder should:

  • Hold a PhD in gender, inclusion or a closely related field.
  • Be an Associate Professor or Professor at the point of application.
  • Have strong regional and international recognition.
  • Have at least 10 lead-author publications in reputable indexed journals.
  • Have a minimum h-index of 15 and at least 1,000 citations.
  • Have supervised at least 7 PhD graduates.
  • Have secured at least three competitive research grants worth at least US$100,000.
  • Demonstrate policy influence and leadership of multidisciplinary research teams.
  • Have a minimum of 5 years to retirement.
5What research areas should the proposal address?

The proposal should be anchored within national education priorities, including the National Education Research Agenda and relevant gender, equity, and inclusion policies, while addressing context-specific challenges and opportunities facing education systems.

At the regional and continental levels, the proposal should contribute to the East African education agenda and the African Union's Agenda 2063 by advancing research that supports inclusive, resilient, and transformative education systems in Africa.

6How long should the proposed research programme cover?

Applicants should propose a research programme spanning 5 to 10 years, demonstrating long-term research vision, sustainability and impact beyond the initial funding period of 2 years from HERI Africa.

7What institutional support is expected from the host university?

The host university is expected to provide:

  • Office and meeting space
  • ICT infrastructure
  • Administrative and finance support
  • Research officers
  • Reduced and secured teaching load for the Research Chair Holder
  • Postgraduate positions that have preferably completed course work
  • Postdoctoral opportunities
  • Institutional co-investment through staff time, infrastructure, scholarships and operational support.
8What are the expected outputs of the Research Chair?

Over the minimum five-year period, the Chair is expected to produce:

  • More than 50 peer-reviewed publications (10 per year)
  • Books and edited volumes (1 in the first 2 years)
  • Policy briefs (1 per year)
  • Eight PhD graduates (2 per year)
  • 12 Master's graduates (3 per year)
  • Three postdoctoral fellows (1 per year)
  • Annual conferences (attend and present high papers — 2 per year)
  • Training programmes operationalised (3 per year)
  • Government advisory reports (1 per year)
  • Community engagement and knowledge dissemination activities.
9What are the expected outcomes/impacts of the Research Chair?

The Research Chair on Gender and Inclusion in Education is expected to deliver the following early outcomes and impacts:

  • Generation of evidence-based knowledge on gender, equity, and inclusion in education, including research that identifies barriers, inequalities, and effective approaches for improving participation, retention, learning outcomes, and leadership opportunities for marginalised groups.
  • Influence on policy and practice through the development of policy briefs, frameworks, and recommendations that support gender-responsive, inclusive, and equitable education systems at national, regional, and continental levels.
  • Strengthening of research capacity and partnerships by mentoring emerging scholars, supporting postgraduate research, and fostering collaborations among African institutions, policymakers, communities, and other stakeholders working on gender and inclusion in education.
  • Development of context-responsive solutions and innovations that advance inclusive education practices, address structural inequalities, promote accessibility for learners with diverse needs, and contribute to transformative education systems aligned with Africa's development aspirations.
10How will applications be evaluated?

Applications will be assessed using the following weighted criteria:

  • Research excellence (25%)
  • Strategic research programme (20%)
  • Institutional capacity (15%)
  • Human capital development (15%)
  • Partnerships (10%)
  • Transformation and inclusion (10%)
  • Sustainability (5%)

Minimum score is 75%.

11What documents must be submitted?

Applicants should submit a comprehensive proposal including:

  • Executive Summary
  • Institutional Profile
  • CVs of the Chair Holder and Associate Chair Holder and Co-Chair
  • Comprehensive Research Programme
  • Human Capital Development Strategy/Plan
  • Institutional Transformation Strategy
  • Partnership Plan
  • Theory of Change
  • Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
  • Sustainability Plan
  • Budget
  • Letters of Institutional Commitment
  • Risk Management Plan.
12How should the budget be structured?

The budget should broadly allocate:

  • At least 70% to research activities,
  • At most 15% to direct operational costs, and
  • At most 15% to indirect institutional costs.

Eligible expenditures include personnel, postgraduate scholarships, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, fieldwork/research work, equipment, conferences, international collaboration, dissemination, institutional capacity strengthening, and monitoring and evaluation.

The grant shall not be used to purchase vehicle, alcoholic beverages, any prohibited drugs, promotion of any variant of political ideas.

13How is the selection process?

The selection process involves:

  • Eligibility screening
  • Independent peer review
  • Institutional capacity assessment
  • Interviews or presentations (where necessary)
  • Steering Committee approval
  • Funding negotiations
  • Signing of the Host Agreement
  • Public launch of the Chair.
14What makes the HERI Africa Research Chair different from conventional university departmental chairs?

HERI Africa Research Chairs are expected to:

  • Serve as centres of excellence.
  • Generate evidence that directly informs policy.
  • Apply intersectional approaches.
  • Build sustainable, impactful and inclusion research ecosystems within and outside of.
  • Strengthen African scholarship and scholarly work.
  • Foster regional, continental and international collaborations.
  • Responsibly utilize digital technologies and AI to foster gender and inclusion in education.
  • Develop diversified long-term home grown funding strategies.
15How will performance be monitored?

Performance will be monitored using measurable indicators such as mostly at outcome and impact levels:

  • Publications that are cited (citation)
  • PhD and Master's graduations with innovative objectives
  • Postdoctoral development
  • External research funding
  • Policy influence
  • Innovation outputs
  • Active partnerships
  • Community/societal impact
  • Gender transformation outcomes within the education ecosystem.
16What are the layers of education research capacity that should be demonstrated?

HERI Africa expects applicants to provide proof of three tier layer of research capability:

  • Research Chair Holder and Associate Research Chair Holder (Leadership)
  • Pool of senior level researchers (should be senior lecturers or equivalent and above) to provide supervision, mentorship, and coaching to the middle level or early career researchers (should be senior lecturer or equivalent and above)
  • Pool of early career researchers (lectures, postdoctoral fellow or equivalent)
  • Pool of postgraduate (PhD and masters) students.
17Is funding available for postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows?

Yes. The funding model provides support for:

  • PhD scholarships
  • Master's scholarships
  • Postdoctoral fellows
  • Research fellows
  • Research assistants.

The Chair is expected to build the next generation of African scholars through structured capacity development.

18When is the application deadline and where can applicants obtain further clarification?
  • Applications should be submitted by the lead university in case of a joint proposal by 10 October 2026 at 6:00 p.m. (EAT) through the designated application portal.
  • HERI Africa will organise 2 applicant webinars, and additional enquiries may be directed to the Programme Director via the contact details provided in the call document.
  • HERI Africa will update this catalogue of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) as additional questions or requests for clarification are received from prospective applicants during the call period.