About this opportunity
Plastic waste is one of the few environmental problems an early career researcher in Africa can actually get behind and move, and a small grant at exactly the right moment can keep a study alive. This call is built for that moment.
The AfricaPlastics project, formally GEF ID 11049 Circular and POPs-free Plastics in Africa, is inviting applications from female postgraduate students for research grants of up to USD 2,000. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility, implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme and executed by the Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the African Region, hosted at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.
The research must already have started, be supervised by an academic supervisor, and speak to one of four themes: POPs and other hazardous chemicals in plastics and articles, circularity and environmentally sound management of plastic waste, human health and environmental risks, or the policies and governance around POPs in plastics. The money is meant for the work itself, laboratory analyses and consumables, fieldwork and sample collection, research materials, data collection and analysis, and local travel tied to the approved research.
Nigeria is one of the five eligible countries, alongside Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe, so this is one of the few calls where a Nigerian researcher is named in the
Eligibility
line rather than folded into a global list. Completed applications go by email, and the closing date for receipt of completed online applications is 31 October 2026.
What you receive
- Research grant of up to USD 2,000 to support approved research activities
- Funds laboratory analyses and consumables
- Funds fieldwork and sample collection
- Funds research materials and specialised supplies
- Funds data collection and analysis
- Funds local travel directly related to the approved research
- Join a GEF funded, UNEP implemented project working on a circular plastics economy in Africa
Who can apply
- Female postgraduate student enrolled in a Master or PhD programme
- Currently registered at a recognised university in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda or Zimbabwe
- The proposed research must have already commenced
- The research must be directly relevant to the objectives of the AfricaPlastics project
- The research must be supervised by an academic supervisor
- The work should fall within one of the four priority themes, from POPs in plastics to policy and governance
Who should not apply
- Tuition fees are not covered
- Salaries are not covered
- Purchase of major equipment is not covered
- Conference attendance is not covered
- Expenditure unrelated to the approved research is not covered
- Incomplete applications may not be considered
- Applications received after the closing date may not be considered
Documents to prepare
- Completed Female Postgraduate Research Grant Application Form, the prescribed online form
- All declarations and endorsements built into the form
- Details of the academic supervisor overseeing the research
- Research description aligned to one of the four priority themes
- Budget for the approved research activities within the USD 2,000 ceiling
How to apply
- Read the full Call for Applications and confirm your research fits one of the four priority themes
- Download the prescribed Female Postgraduate Research Grant Application Form from the AfricaPlastics research grant page
- Complete the form in full, including the declarations and endorsements it asks for
- Submit the completed application by email to the BCCC-Africa addresses bccc.nigeria@gmail.com and oluseunbadejo@gmail.com
- Send a copy to your country contact, Kenya peterasewe@gmail.com, Nigeria nnoromicabsu@gmail.com, South Africa abdul@escience.co.za, Uganda acusacu@gmail.com, Zimbabwe faraimaps@yahoo.com
- Complete everything before 31 October 2026
Selection process
- Eligible applications are assessed on relevance to the objectives of the AfricaPlastics project
- Scientific and technical merit is weighed
- Innovation and originality are considered
- Feasibility of the proposed research is tested
- Potential environmental and societal impact counts
- Integration of gender considerations is assessed where appropriate
- The capacity of the applicant to successfully complete the proposed research is reviewed
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
How much is the grant worth?
Successful applicants may receive research grants of up to USD 2,000 to support approved research activities.
Who can apply?
Female postgraduate students enrolled in a Master or PhD programme and currently registered at a recognised university in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda or Zimbabwe.
Can I apply for a project I have not started yet?
No. The call states that the proposed research must have already commenced and must be supervised by an academic supervisor.
How do I submit?
Complete the prescribed online application form and submit it by email to bccc.nigeria@gmail.com and oluseunbadejo@gmail.com, copying your country contact as set out in the call.
When is the deadline?
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 31 October 2026.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
