National Research Fund Call for Proposals: 2025/2026 Postgraduate Research Grants in Kenya
The National Research Fund (NRF) is a statutory body established under the Science, Technology and Innovation Act, 2013, with a mandate to mobilize resources and facilitate research for the advancement of science, technology, and innovation for national development.
NRF invites applications for Postgraduate Research Grants for the 2025/2026 Financial Year.
This national research call is a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening Kenya’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I) ecosystem by supporting high-quality postgraduate research that contributes to innovation, evidence-based policymaking, and inclusive national development in line with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Bonafide Kenyan postgraduate students registered in public or private universities in Kenya are eligible to apply. The grant will support only the research component of Master’s or doctoral degree training programmes, focusing on projects that address national development priorities.
A successful doctoral research project will be funded up to a maximum of Kenya Shillings Two Million (Ksh 2,000,000) for a period not exceeding three (3) years, while a successful Master’s
research project will be funded up to a maximum of Kenya Shillings Five Hundred Thousand (Ksh 500,000) for a period of one (1) year.
Interested postgraduate students wishing to apply for this national grant call should read the detailed guidelines on the NRF website: www.nrf.go.ke and submit their applications STRICTLY through the NRF Grants Management System at: https://grantsportal.nrf.go.ke .
The deadline for submission of research proposals is 6th March 2026 at 23:59 hrs EAT.
Only successful applicants will be contacted.
Contact details:
Chief Executive Officer
National Research Fund
3rd Floor NACOSTI Plaza, Upper Kabete
P.O. Box 26036-00100
NAIROBI
Tel: 020-4403386
info@nrf.go.ke