Bridging the Gap: New AAU-Led Research Targets Inequities in Sub-Saharan African Higher Education
May 21, 2026Call for Applications – AAU Pan-African Interdisciplinary Academic Writing, Research & Publication Mentorship and Support Pilot Programme
The Association of African Universities (AAU) under the AAU Early Career Researchers Centre of Excellence (ECRs CoE) in collaboration with the AAU Southern Africa Regional Office (SARO) hosted by the Women’s University in Africa, Zimbabwe and the AAU European Regional Office (ERO), hosted by the University of Nottingham invites applications for the AAU Pan-African Interdisciplinary Academic Writing, Research & Publication Mentorship and Support Pilot Programme, a 12-month online interdisciplinary writing-for-publication and mentorship programme designed to equip early-career researchers across Africa with the skills to develop, publish, and position impactful research within African and global scholarly communities.
The programme will provide structured training, mentorship, peer learning, and practical support to help participants develop high-quality publishable research outputs, navigate the complexities of academic publishing, and position their work within African and global scholarly debates.
Important Dates
- Call Opens: 21st May, 2026
- Application Deadline: June 2026
- Programme Commencement: 18thJuly, 2026
Further Information
- Application Link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/cjrZS0h67w
- Payment Link: https://pay.aau.org/early-career-researchers
- Concept Note: Download Concept Note
- Programme Brochure: Download Brochure Here
For further enquiries, please contact us via commserve@aau.org / Alicia.Bowman@nottingham.ac.uk
Programme Overview
The programme is specifically designed for early-career researchers who already have research data and are seeking structured support to develop this work into publishable outputs. As a programme focused on writing for publication, it is most suitable for participants who have completed data collection, or are at an advanced stage of analysis, and are ready to refine their manuscripts, strengthen their academic writing and navigate the publication process.
Participants will receive training and mentorship in:
- Understanding publication landscapes and contexts
- Identifying appropriate journals and publication pathways
- Manuscript preparation and academic writing
- Peer review processes and responding to reviewers’ comments
- Developing effective titles, abstracts, and publishable articles
- Demonstrating contribution, significance, rigour, and impact in research writing
- Ethical research and publishing practices
The programme will also provide structured mentorship, writing clinics, interdisciplinary Writing Café sessions, and peer-learning opportunities to support participants throughout the publication journey.
Programme Structure
The programme will be delivered fully online through a blended model combining synchronous and asynchronous learning using Zoom and Moodle.
Phase 1: Opening Online Workshop
Dates: 18–19 July 2026
The opening workshop will provide intensive training on research writing and academic publishing.
Phase 2: Ongoing Mentorship and Writing Support
Duration: August 2026 – May 2027
Participants will engage in:
- Monthly group mentorship meetings
- Writing clinics offering targeted feedback
- Interdisciplinary Writing Café sessions
- Asynchronous learning activities and resources
- One-to-one mentorship support
Phase 3: Closing Online Workshop
Date: June 2027
The programme will conclude with participant presentations, reflection sessions, networking opportunities, and programme closure activities.
Target participants include:
- Doctoral candidates in the later stages of their research
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Lecturers and early-career academics
- Faculty members with master’s or doctoral degrees actively working on research outputs for publication
- Research-active professionals
NB: Applicants should have a clear publication goal and an existing dataset or draft manuscript.
Programme Fee
The programme will be offered on a fee-paying basis at a total cost of USD 750 per participant.
Participants will have the opportunity to pay in two instalments as follows:
- First instalment: USD 500
- Second instalment: USD 250
The programme fee covers training workshops, mentorship, writing clinics, and access to programme learning resources and support activities.
Application Process
Interested applicants are required to complete the online application form and provide information areas including:
- Research area
- Current stage of writing/research
- Publication goals
Selection will be based on applicants’ research stage, writing goals and alignment with the objectives of the programme.
The pilot cohort will admit approximately 35–40 participants to ensure quality mentorship and engagement.
