The National Research Fund (NRF) has announced the opening of applications for the Postgraduate Research Grant for the 2025/2026 financial year, in a move aimed at boosting research, innovation, and knowledge development in Kenya.
In a public notice released on Tuesday, January 27, the Fund invited eligible postgraduate students from both public and private universities across the country to apply for the competitive funding programme.
The grants are designed to support students pursuing Master’s and doctoral studies whose research ideas have the potential to contribute to national development.
NRF explained that the funding programme is part of its broader mandate to strengthen science, technology, and innovation in Kenya. The Fund, which was established under the Science, Technology,
and Innovation Act of 2013, stated that the grants will support high-quality academic research that promotes innovation, informs evidence-based policymaking, and supports inclusive social and economic growth.
According to the guidelines, the grants will strictly cater for the research component of postgraduate studies and not coursework.
Priority will be given to research projects that align with Kenya’s national development goals, including the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Under the funding structure, postgraduate students pursuing doctoral degrees will be eligible for research grants of up to Ksh2 million.
The funding period for PhD projects will run for a maximum of three years, depending on the scope and nature of the research.
For Master’s students, successful applicants will receive research funding of up to Ksh500,000. This funding will cover a period of one year and is intended to support data collection, analysis, and other approved research-related activities.
NRF also clarified that the grants are only open to Kenyan citizens who are registered students in recognised universities within the country. The Fund stressed that the selection process will be competitive, and only applicants who meet all the eligibility requirements will be considered.
Interested candidates have been urged to carefully read and understand the detailed application guidelines available on the NRF website before submitting their proposals.
All applications must be submitted online through the NRF Grants Management System via grantsportal.nrf.go.ke.
The Fund made it clear that manual or physical submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.
The deadline for submitting research proposals has been set for March 6, 2026, at exactly 11:59pm. NRF noted that applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
After the evaluation process is completed, only successful applicants will be contacted. Those seeking additional information or clarification have been advised to visit or contact the National Research Fund offices located at NACOSTI Plaza in Upper Kabete, Nairobi.
Join Tutam Official WhatsApp Channel to stay updated on time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
