Funding Opportunity: African think tank consortia invited to apply for $10M grants to drive policy impact across the continent

African think tanks have a pivotal role to play in shaping the continent’s development trajectory, and now, a new opportunity offers significant support to do just that.

The African Think Tank Platform (ATTP), an initiative of the African Union Commission funded by the World Bank, is inviting proposals from consortia of 3–5 African think tanks to undertake collaborative, high-impact research that informs public policy across the continent.

Selected consortia will receive grants of up to $10 million to implement research and engagement projects over the years, with additional technical assistance provided by the ATTP Secretariat.

The grants aim to boost the capacity of African think tanks to generate evidence-based analysis, enhance cross-regional collaboration, and foster meaningful dialogue between researchers and policymakers.

This landmark initiative is part of a broader AU effort to elevate the role of African knowledge institutions in addressing the continent’s most pressing priorities, from climate resilience to trade integration, and from digital governance to food and human capital security.

Priority Themes

All proposals must focus on at least four of the six priority themes below, which reflect cross-boundary policy challenges and strategic AU development agendas:

• Economic Transformation
• Climate Change and Environmental Resilience
• Trade Integration and Regional Development
• Food Security and Agricultural Policy
• Human Capital Development
• Digital Innovation and Governance

Proposals that demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration and relevance to multiple AU member states will be prioritized during the selection process.

Grant Overview

• Total Grant Size per Consortium: Up to $10 million
• Project Duration: Up to 2.5 years
• Support Provided: Financial grants and technical assistance

Each selected consortium will benefit from both core and activity-specific funding, including resources for research, policy dialogues, institutional strengthening, and regional convenings.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

• Be a consortium of 3 to 5 African think tanks, led by a designated lead institution
• Be legally registered and based in any African Union member country
• Submit proposals that address at least four of the six ATTP thematic areas

Think tanks are encouraged to partner across different sub-regions of Africa to promote knowledge exchange and regional policy integration.

Gender diversity and youth inclusion within project teams are strongly encouraged.

Required Documents

Applicants must prepare and submit the following documents as part of their proposal package:

• Completed ATTP Application Form
• Project Work Plan and Budget (covering up to four years of activity)
• Curriculum Vitae (CVs) for: Consortium coordinator, Deputy consortium coordinator, Two lead experts from each participating think tank
• Summary of Past Research and Policy Engagement Experience
• Signed Commitment Letters from all consortium members and the designated lead institution
• Legal Registration Certificates for each think tank in the consortium
• Board of Trustees’ Structure for each member institution
• Audited Financial Reports for the last three years from each consortium member

Incomplete applications or those missing any of the above documents will not be considered.

How to Apply

Interested consortia should carefully review the full Call for Proposals HERE  and submit their application no later than Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

Late submissions will be disqualified.

A detailed ‘How to Apply’ guide is available on the African Union Commission website and through the ATTP Secretariat.

Applicants are encouraged to begin early, ensuring that all required documents, particularly financial audits and legal registration, are compiled and validated ahead of the deadline.

Selection Process

Proposals will undergo a two-stage evaluation:

• Eligibility Screening – Proposals will first be reviewed to confirm basic eligibility and completeness.
• Technical Review – Eligible proposals will be assessed by an Independent Expert Committee based on: Quality and relevance of the research plan, Institutional capacity and track record, Strategy for policy engagement and potential for uptake, Financial robustness and budget justification, Regional and gender diversity within the team

Final decisions will be made by the Think Tank Platform Steering Committee (TTPSC), which provides strategic oversight for the ATTP.

Successful applicants will be notified directly and onboarded for further technical planning and support.

Advancing Africa-Centered Policy Thinking

This funding window marks a significant milestone in efforts to center African voices in policy research and reform.

By supporting consortia across borders and disciplines, the ATTP aims to unlock the potential of African think tanks to co-create solutions and generate evidence that drives change at local, national, and regional levels.

As Africa continues to confront complex challenges from economic shocks to the climate crisis, the need for locally grounded, continentally coordinated policy research is more urgent than ever.

The ATTP offers an unprecedented opportunity to resource that works at scale.