Call for Proposals: Strengthening African Policy Research and Regional Collaboration

The African Think Tank Platform (ATTP)—a collaborative initiative funded by the World Bank and implemented by the African Union Commission (AUC)—is inviting proposals from African think tank consortia to advance high-quality research and evidence-based policymaking on priority continental issues. The platform seeks to strengthen regional cooperation, elevate the role of policy research, and build long-term institutional capacity among Africa’s thought leaders.

This initiative supports think tanks working on transformative themes such as economic governance, climate change, regional trade, food security, human capital development, and digital innovation. A key objective is to elevate African-generated knowledge and ensure the integration of gender equality and regional collaboration into policy discourse and implementation.

Purpose and Scope

Through this call, ATTP will fund consortia that demonstrate regional alignment, research excellence, and institutional readiness. The selected projects will actively contribute to ATTP’s mission by:

• Conducting rigorous, policy-relevant research;
• Engaging in cross-regional policy dialogue;
• Strengthening institutional systems;
• Promoting gender representation in policy research;
• Supporting long-term knowledge partnerships among African think tanks.

1. Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered:

• Consortium Structure: Applications must be submitted by a consortium of three to five African think tanks, with one designated as the lead institution.
• Geographic Registration: All members must be legally registered and operate within continental Africa.
• Thematic Experience: Each consortium must demonstrate previous work or ongoing engagement in at least four of the following six focus areas:
  • Economic transformation and governance
  • Climate change
  • Regional trade integration
  • Food security
  • Human capital development
  • Digitalization
• Strategic Alignment: Proposed initiatives must directly support ATTP’s objectives: generating quality research, advancing regional policy frameworks, building institutional capacity, and increasing women’s participation in policymaking and research leadership.

2. Required Application Documents

Eligible consortia must submit a complete proposal package in PDF format through the ATTP Secure Upload Portal. Required documents include:

• Application Form: Captures key information about the consortium, proposed activities, thematic alignment, capacity-building initiatives, and gender strategy.
  [Downloadable form available on the portal]
• Work Plan and Budget: Includes a detailed activity timeline (Gantt chart) and a financial plan. Annual allocations per think tank must not exceed 30% of its operating budget.
  [Standard budget template provided]
• Research and Engagement Record: A summary of past research contributions and policy engagement activities relevant to ATTP’s thematic areas.
  [Use provided template]
• Audited Financial Statements: The latest financial audits from each consortium member to confirm accountability and grant-readiness.
• CVs of Key Personnel: Submit standardized CVs for:
  • Consortium Coordinator
  • Deputy Coordinator
  • Two lead researchers per think tank
• Consortium Commitment Letter: A signed document from all participating institutions affirming joint ownership, collaboration intent, and commitment to implementation.
  [Standard format available]

Applicants will receive an automated confirmation email after submission.

3. Registration and Submission

Before submitting a proposal, all consortia must complete online registration using the provided ATTP registration portal. Upon successful registration, the lead applicant will receive login credentials and access to submission templates and portal upload guidelines.

Only the lead applicant can submit the final application package on behalf of the consortium.

4. Deadline

All applications must be submitted no later than September 24, 2025 at 23:59 East Africa Time (EAT). Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

5. Applicant Support

To support applicants in preparing strong, compliant proposals, the African Union Commission is offering a series of live informational webinars, covering proposal design, financial planning, and common application pitfalls.

Upcoming Webinar Dates:

• July 24, 2025: Launch of ATTP Call for Proposals
• August 5, 2025: Technical Overview and Q&A
• August 26, 2025: Budget Planning Deep Dive
• September 9, 2025: Proposal Finalization Tips
• September 23, 2025: Final Q&A and Submission Guidance

All interested consortia are encouraged to attend.

Contact and Resources

• Application Portal: [Access through ATTP official registration link]
• Inquiries: Email the Secretariat at [email protected]
• Document Templates: Available for download after registration

By promoting cross-border research collaboration, institutional strengthening, and regional integration, the ATTP initiative is designed to empower Africa’s knowledge economy and position African think tanks as influential drivers of policy and innovation across the continent.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.