Apply for TETFund National Research Fund Grant (Nigeria)

Deadline: 15-Oct-2026

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) invites lecturers from Nigerian public tertiary institutions to submit concept notes for the National Research Fund (NRF) 2026 Grant Cycle. The Federal Government has approved a total of ₦10 billion for the 2026 National Research Fund to support high-quality research addressing critical national priorities across a broad range of academic disciplines. The 2026 funding cycle builds on the previous year’s programme, under which more than ₦6.09 billion was allocated to 174 research projects in the 2025 cycle. The NRF 2026 Grant Cycle begins with the submission and evaluation of Concept Notes. Principal Investigators whose Concept Notes are considered fundable will subsequently be invited to submit full research proposals. Funding will be disbursed following the required evaluation and approval process by the TETFund Board of Trustees.

About the TETFund National Research Fund

The National Research Fund is a TETFund initiative designed to support research by the Nigerian research community. The programme seeks to fund research that responds to important national challenges and contributes to: - Societal development. - Economic growth. - Scientific advancement. - Technological development. - Innovation. - Improved national systems and services. - Sustainable development across Nigeria. The 2026 cycle covers 30 prioritised thematic areas, allowing researchers from humanities, social sciences, science, engineering, technology, agriculture, health, environment, infrastructure, and other fields to develop research projects aligned with national priorities. How Much Funding Is Available? The Federal Government has allocated a total of ₦10 billion to the National Research Fund for the 2026 Grant Cycle. The funding will be distributed among approved research projects following a competitive assessment process. Applicants first submit Concept Notes. Researchers whose Concept Notes are evaluated as fundable will proceed to the full proposal stage before final funding decisions are made. 2026 NRF Grant Cycle Process The National Research Fund follows a multi-stage application and evaluation process.

The process begins with:

- Submission of a Concept Note by the Principal Investigator. - Evaluation of submitted Concept Notes. - Identification of Concept Notes considered fundable. - Invitation of successful applicants to submit full research proposals. - Evaluation and approval of full proposals. - Approval by the TETFund Board of Trustees. - Disbursement of approved research funding. Researchers should therefore develop their Concept Notes carefully because progressing to the full proposal stage depends on the outcome of the initial evaluation. Who Can Apply? Eligibility for the NRF 2026 Grant Cycle is restricted to lecturers in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The Principal Investigator must be institution-based, and the applicant’s institution must serve as: - The Coordinating Institution. - The guarantor for the appropriate use of research funds. Applicants should therefore ensure that they are affiliated with an eligible Nigerian public tertiary institution before submitting a Concept Note. Principal Investigator Requirement The Principal Investigator (PI) must be institution-based. The PI is responsible for leading the proposed research project and must submit the application through the relevant institutional framework. The PI’s institution will act as the Coordinating Institution and provide the necessary guarantee for appropriate utilisation of approved funds. Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Research The NRF strongly encourages the development of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research teams. Researchers are encouraged to collaborate across academic fields where this can strengthen the research approach and improve the ability of the project to address complex national challenges. Interdisciplinary collaboration can be particularly relevant to thematic areas that involve multiple sectors, such as climate change, food security, health, technology, urban development, energy, security, and innovation. Research Thematic Areas The 2026 National Research Fund invites research proposals across 30 prioritised thematic areas. The thematic areas are organised broadly under: - Humanities and Social Sciences. - Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation. - Cross-Cutting thematic areas. Applicants should ensure that their research aligns clearly with one of the prioritised themes. Humanities and Social Sciences Themes The humanities and social sciences component covers a wide range of issues relevant to Nigerian society and development.

The identified themes include:

- Citizenship and National Integration. - Conflict, Defense and Security. - Economic Development and Globalization. - Education and Human Capital. - Gender, Equity and Social Inclusion. - Governance, Politics, Law and Ethics. - History, Culture and Identities. - Humanities. - Social Sciences. - Technology and Business Interface. - Languages, Literatures and Media. - Population and Migration. - Social Development and Welfare. - Tourism, Sports and Recreation. These themes provide opportunities for researchers to investigate social, economic, cultural, political, educational, and institutional challenges facing Nigeria. Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation Themes The NRF also supports research in science, engineering, technology, and innovation-related areas.

The identified themes include:

- Agriculture and Food Security. - Geosciences. - Health and Social Welfare. - Industry and Innovation. - Information Technology, Computing and Telecommunications. - Power and Energy. - Science and Engineering. - Space Science and Technology. - Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Terrestrial Ecosystems. - Transport and Infrastructure. - Water and Sanitation. These areas are intended to support research addressing technological development, economic prod