Andrea Leenen Memorial All from One Research Grant Programme

Deadline: October 23, 2026

The Andrea Leenen Memorial All from One Research Grant Programme supports African-based researchers conducting innovative palaeontology research that connects Africa’s prehistoric record with contemporary questions about human origins, climate change, environmental crises, extinction, and biodiversity. PAST will provide up to US$25,000 per project and expects to support no more than two projects. The programme focuses on the shared African origins of humankind, spanning Late Miocene ape antecedents through the emergence of modern human behaviour and its relevance to human unity; palaeoclimatic and palaeoecological change and its implications for present-day climatic and environmental crises; and prehistoric extinctions and their relevance to the modern biodiversity crisis. It supports African fieldwork, laboratory investigations, museum collections research, student training, public outreach, and the sustainable development of palaeontological infrastructure and technical capacity in Africa. The research grant programme is connected to PAST’s All from One campaign. It encourages research that demonstrates how evidence from Africa’s prehistoric past can improve understanding of modern human, environmental, and biodiversity challenges. Proposals may cover any field of African palaeontology, provided the research is undertaken in Africa and addresses at least one of the programme’s three core themes. Projects may involve field research, laboratory studies, or investigations of museum collections. The research must be hosted by an African institution responsible for managing and disbursing the awarded funding. PAST will allocate up to US$25,000 to each selected project. The programme intends to award grants to a maximum of two projects. Funding may be renewed for up to three years, subject to: Renewal is not automatic and depends on project performance and available resources. Funding may support approved research expenses associated with African palaeontology fieldwork, laboratory research, museum collections, student involvement, technical development, and related project activities.

The programme does not cover:

Permanent equipment may be considered when it will be donated after the research to strengthen the technical capacity of an African institution. Applicants proposing such expenditure must provide a formal agreement guaranteeing the equipment’s future institutional use.

Applications are open to:

An overseas-based African researcher may lead an international team, but the project must include significant participation by other African-based researchers. Grant funding is available only for the team leader, African-based researchers, and African-based support personnel. International collaborators may participate, but the grant will not fund their involvement. All research activities must be conducted within Africa and hosted by an African institution. Specialized sample analysis may take place outside Africa only when the required facilities are unavailable within the continent. All materials collected during the research must be curated at an African institution in accordance with relevant national and institutional protocols. These materials must remain accessible for future research. Project funds must be administered and disbursed through the participating African host institution. Applicants must address one or more of the following themes: Each project must make a substantial contribution to the training of African undergraduate or postgraduate students. Applicants must also explain how their project will support sustainable infrastructure or technical capacity for palaeontology research in Africa. This contribution may include skills development, methodological training, institutional resources, technical systems, or equipment that remains available to an African institution. Projects should demonstrate that their benefits will extend beyond the immediate research activities and contribute to the long-term development of African palaeontology. Applicants should describe the potential for communicating their research to audiences beyond the academic community. Public outreach may help connect palaeontological findings with wider discussions about shared human origins, climate and environmental change, extinction, biodiversity, and human unity. Project leaders must first submit a pre-application of no more than 500 words.

The pre-application should include:

Applicants invited to submit a full application must provide any additional documentation requested by PAST. If permanent equipment is proposed for donation to an African institution, the invited full application must include a formal letter of agreement guaranteeing its future use for institutional technical capacity development. How much funding is available? PAST will provide up to US$25,000 per selected project. How many projects will receive funding? The programme intends to support a maximum of two projects. Can a grant be renewed? Yes. Funding may be renewed for up to three years, subject to satisfactory progress, submission of a new funding application, and the availability of PAST funds. Can researchers based outside Africa apply? African nationals based overseas may apply if they maintain a formal affiliation and established collaborative relationship with an African institution. Their projects must include significant participation from African-based researchers. Can research activities take place outside Africa? The research must be conducted in Africa. Specialized analysis may take place overseas only when the necessary facilities are unavailable in Africa. Are salaries and institutional overhead eligible? No. The programme does not fund salaries or institutional overhead. Can the grant pay for permanent equipment? Permanent equipment is generally ineligible. An exception may be considered if the equipment will be donated to strengthen the technical capacity of an African institution an