ARIN Launches BIOCAM4 Mini-Grant Fellowship for Early-Career African Climate and Biodiversity Researchers

Early-career researchers, practitioners and policymakers across Africa have an opportunity to secure funding for locally led research on Nature-Based Climate Actions (NBCAs) through the BIOCAM4 Mini-Grant Fellowship Programme. The initiative, implemented by the Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN), aims to strengthen evidence-based climate and biodiversity policymaking while supporting innovative research that addresses Africa’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Applications for the fellowship close on 22 July 2026, with selected fellows receiving €3,000 in research funding to undertake country-specific studies over an eight-month period.

Advancing Climate and Biodiversity Solutions Across Africa

The BIOCAM4 Mini-Grant Fellowship is part of the Biodiversity Integration in Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Actions for Planet, People and Human Health (BIOCAM4) project.

The initiative responds to the growing recognition that climate change, biodiversity loss and socio-economic vulnerability are deeply interconnected. Across Africa, environmental degradation is reducing ecosystem resilience, threatening livelihoods, increasing food and water insecurity and exposing vulnerable communities to greater climate risks.

Nature-Based Climate Actions provide integrated solutions by protecting, restoring and sustainably managing ecosystems while simultaneously addressing climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation and human well-being.

The fellowship seeks to generate locally grounded evidence that can guide policymakers, development practitioners and international partners in designing more effective climate and biodiversity interventions.

About the Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN)

ARIN is an international think tank comprising more than 400 researchers and policymakers, with approximately 30% of its members serving as National Focal Points across 41 African countries.

The network promotes collaboration between researchers, governments and practitioners to strengthen Africa’s science-policy interface by:

• Generating evidence for policy development.
• Supporting capacity-building initiatives.
• Promoting knowledge exchange.
• Strengthening research collaboration.
• Informing evidence-based decision-making.
• Scaling impactful development practices across Africa.

Through BIOCAM4, ARIN continues its mission of building a continent-wide community of evidence leaders capable of translating research into practical policy solutions.

About the BIOCAM4 Project

BIOCAM4 is funded through support from:

• Government of Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF).
• German Research Foundation (DFG).
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The project is led by York University in collaboration with several international partners, including:

• Institute for Sustainability Studies (IDOS)
• Radboud University
• Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN)
• Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (Rwanda)
• CATIE (Peru)

The initiative promotes interdisciplinary research and policy engagement that integrates biodiversity into climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Research Areas Supported

Successful fellows will investigate Nature-Based Climate Actions within African contexts, examining how environmental, institutional and governance factors influence conservation and climate resilience.

Examples of eligible research themes include:

• Ecosystem restoration
• Biodiversity conservation
• Agroecology
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Landscape restoration
• Wetland conservation
• Forest protection
• Community-based adaptation
• Ecosystem services
• Indigenous and local knowledge
• Climate resilience
• Sustainable livelihoods
• Human health and environmental sustainability

Projects should demonstrate how biodiversity conservation contributes to climate adaptation while generating social and economic benefits for local communities.

Fellowship Objectives

The mini-grant programme aims to:

• Support high-quality, policy-relevant case studies.
• Examine socio-ecological and governance factors affecting Nature-Based Climate Actions.
• Strengthen research capacity among early-career African professionals.
• Generate evidence to improve climate and biodiversity decision-making.
• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Strengthen Africa’s contribution to global climate and biodiversity discussions.

Research findings will contribute to improved methodologies for evaluating Nature-Based Climate Actions and informing future investment and policy decisions.

Funding and Fellowship Duration

Each selected fellow will receive €3,000 in catalytic funding to support approved research activities.

Funding may be used for:

• Fieldwork.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Data collection.
• Data analysis.
• Research implementation.

The fellowship runs for eight months, during which participants will complete research activities while participating in learning events organised by ARIN.

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship targets emerging professionals committed to advancing climate and biodiversity research in Africa.

Applicants must:

• Be early-career researchers, practitioners or policymakers.
• Typically be within five years of completing their highest qualification or possess equivalent professional experience.
• Be affiliated with a recognised academic, research or policy institution.
• Conduct research within Africa.
• Submit a concept note aligned with BIOCAM4 priorities.
• Join or actively participate in the ARIN Fellowship Network.
• Not currently hold another ARIN mini-grant.

Preference will be given to applicants demonstrating interdisciplinary approaches and meaningful engagement with communities, policymakers and practitioners.

Expected Fellowship Outputs

Selected fellows will be expected to deliver:

• A refined research proposal.
• An 8,000-word country case study report.
• A policy brief highlighting key findings and recommendations.
• Active participation in ARIN webinars and peer-learning activities.

High-quality research outputs may later be developed into peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters or other academic publications with ARIN’s support.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete application package containing:

• A one-page motivation letter.
• A curriculum vitae of no more than four pages.
• A 700–1,500-word concept note outlining the proposed research.
• Two reference letters from senior academics or policymakers.

Applications must be combined into a single PDF document and submitted electronically no later than 22 July 2026 using the required application subject line.

Building Africa’s Evidence Base for Nature-Based Climate Action

As climate change and biodiversity loss continue to affect ecosystems and livelihoods across Africa, the BIOCAM4 Mini-Grant Fellowship represents an important investment in locally led research capable of informing national and international climate policy.

By empowering emerging African researchers to generate practical evidence and strengthen collaboration between science and policy, the programme contributes to more inclusive, effective and sustainable Nature-Based Climate Actions that benefit both people and the environment.

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

Related