The Young Leaders in Research (YLR) Grant is an exciting opportunity for early-career African researchers interested in economics, public policy, development, and other related fields. The program is designed to support young researchers whose work can contribute to Africa’s economic transformation and evidence-based policymaking.
The initiative is organized by the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) and provides researchers with financial support, mentorship, professional development, and opportunities to increase the visibility of their research.
Important: ACET’s official website currently lists the 2026 YLR cohort. Applicants should check the official ACET page for the official announcement and application dates for the 2027 cohort.
Young Leaders in Research 2027 – Overview
The Young Leaders in Research Grant is designed for talented African researchers who want to conduct policy-relevant and context-driven research addressing important economic and development challenges across Africa.
The program can be particularly valuable for researchers looking for:
- Research funding opportunities
- African research grants
- International research opportunities
- Academic funding opportunities
- Professional development programs
- Research mentorship
- Policy research opportunities
- Opportunities for African researchers
According to ACET, the YLR Grant is structured as a 12-month research grant. The 2026 program offered up to USD 15,000 for eligible research-related expenses, including research, data, travel, and living support.
What Does the Young Leaders in Research Grant Offer?
Successful researchers can benefit from several forms of support.
1. Research Funding
The 2026 YLR Grant offered funding of up to $15,000 for research-related costs such as data, analysis, travel, materials, and publication. A portion of the funding could also be used as a stipend.
This makes the program an attractive option for researchers searching for research grants for African scholars and funding opportunities for early-career researchers.
2. Research Mentorship
YLR participants are matched with experienced African economists and policy advisors who provide guidance, feedback, and professional support throughout the research process.
3. Professional Development
The program provides opportunities for peer learning and skills development, helping young researchers strengthen their research and policy engagement capabilities.
4. Research Visibility
Participants can have opportunities to present their work through ACET-hosted events and publish research through the ACET YLR series.
Who Can Apply?
For the 2026 cohort, ACET stated that applicants should be early-career researchers aged 35 or younger, with a background in economics or a related discipline.
Applicants must also be African nationals or permanent residents of African countries.
Independent researchers can also be eligible; affiliation with a university is not necessarily required.
Applicants should carefully review the official eligibility requirements when the 2027 call is announced because requirements and research themes may change between cohorts.
What Research Topics Are Supported?
The 2026 YLR Grant focused on research areas connected to Africa’s economic transformation, including:
- Gender Equality
- Regional Integration
- Innovation & Digital Policy
- Green Industrial Transformation
These themes reflect ACET’s broader focus on evidence-based policies that can support sustainable economic development across Africa.
Is the Young Leaders in Research Grant Fully Funded?
The program provides substantial financial support for eligible research activities. For the 2026 cohort, ACET advertised funding of up to US$15,000 for research, travel, data, materials, publication, and related costs, with a portion available as a stipend.
Because funding details for the 2027 cohort have not yet been officially published on the ACET page, applicants should not assume that the 2027 funding amount will be identical to 2026.
Why Apply for the Young Leaders in Research Program?
The YLR program can be an excellent opportunity for researchers who want to build an international research profile and contribute to policy discussions affecting Africa.
Potential benefits include:
- Financial support for research
- Expert mentorship
- Professional networking
- Research publication opportunities
- Policy engagement
- International exposure
- Skills development
- Greater visibility for your research
For early-career researchers, these benefits can be valuable when building an academic or professional career in research, economics, public policy, international development, and African economic transformation.
Young Leaders in Research 2027 Application
The official ACET webpage should be monitored for the Young Leaders in Research 2027 application announcement.
Applicants should prepare a strong research proposal that clearly explains:
- The research problem.
- Why the issue matters.
- The research questions.
- The methodology.
- Expected findings and impact.
- How the research can contribute to policy.
- A realistic research budget and timeline.
The previous YLR application process required applications to be submitted in English.
How to Prepare for the 2027 Research Grant
If you are planning to apply for the next cohort, start preparing early. A competitive application should demonstrate a clear understanding of the problem being investigated and explain how the research can produce practical, evidence-based recommendations.
You should also ensure that your CV, research proposal, academic documents, references, and other required materials are ready before applications open.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Young Leaders in Research Grant?
The Young Leaders in Research Grant is a research funding and professional development program by the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) that supports early-career African researchers working on policy-relevant research.
How much funding does YLR provide?
For the 2026 cohort, ACET offered up to US$15,000 for research, travel, data, materials, publication, and related expenses. The funding details for the 2027 cohort should be confirmed once ACET publishes the new call.
Who is eligible for the YLR Grant?
The 2026 eligibility criteria included early-career researchers aged 35 or younger with a background in economics or a related field who are African nationals or permanent residents of African countries.
Do I need to work at a university?
Not necessarily. ACET states that independent researchers may apply if they meet the eligibility requirements.
Is the YLR Grant available to researchers from Africa?
Yes. The program is specifically designed to support African researchers and research addressing Africa’s economic transformation.
When will Young Leaders in Research 2027 applications open?
The official ACET page currently provides information for the 2026 cohort, so the official opening date for the 2027 cohort should be confirmed directly through ACET when announced.
Final Thoughts
The Young Leaders in Research Grant is a valuable opportunity for African researchers seeking research funding, mentorship, professional development, and greater visibility for policy-relevant research.
If you are an early-career researcher working in economics, development, public policy, digital transformation, regional integration, gender equality, or green economic transformation, this is an opportunity worth monitoring.
Check the official ACET website regularly for the Young Leaders in Research 2027 announcement, eligibility requirements, application deadline, and funding details.