CHART-A Emerging Investigator Awards

Investing in the Next Generation of African Scientific Leaders

CHART-A is offering two $15,000 seed awards to support early-career African investigators conducting research in TB, HIV, or sepsis. The awards are intended to generate pilot data, strengthen publications and collaborations, and support future external funding applications. Two award tracks are available: Clinical, Epidemiologic & Behavioral Research and Basic & Translational Science.

Apply Now

Clinical, Epidemiologic & Behavioral Research

$15,000 USD SEED AWARD

Application Deadline: December 1, 2026

Supports research in:

  • Clinical cohorts

  • Epidemiology

  • Behavioral science

  • Implementation science

  • Digital health

Basic & Translational Science

$15,000 USD SEED AWARD

Application Deadline: December 1, 2026

Supports research in:

  • Immunology

  • Microbiology

  • Biomarkers

  • Host-pathogen interactions

  • Translational science

Apply Now

Why Apply?

The Emerging Investigator Awards help you:

Generate preliminary data
Establish new collaborations
Publish impactful research
Compete for larger national and international grants
Build a sustainable research career in Africa

Selection Criteria

    • Importance of the research question

    • Innovation and originality

    • Scientific rigor

    • Appropriateness of the scope for a $15,000 award

    • Likelihood of successful completion within the award period

    • Evidence of commitment to an academic research career

    • Prior accomplishments relative to career stage

    • Potential to generate preliminary data

    • Potential to strengthen collaborations

    • Potential to support future extramural funding

    • Relevance to TB, HIV, sepsis, infectious diseases, or global health

    • Contribution to African research capacity building

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be within 5 years of completion of their terminal degree (MD, PhD, MBChB with specialist training, or equivalent)

  • African scientists based in:

    • South Africa

    • Ethiopia

    • Rwanda

    • Uganda

  • Hold a faculty, research, fellowship, postdoctoral, or equivalent early-career academic appointment

  • Be affiliated with a university, academic medical center, research institute, or equivalent academic unit

  • Have a demonstrated research focus in:

    • Tuberculosis

    • HIV

    • Sepsis

  • Our preference will be toward funding early career investigators of exceptional promise who have not yet received major funding awards

Eligibility Extensions

Reasonable extensions beyond the 5-year eligibility window will be considered for:

  • Family leave

  • Caregiving responsibilities

  • Clinical training

  • Other significant career interruptions

Apply Now

Important Dates

Application Deadline

December 1, 2026
5:00 pm EST

Award Notification

March 2027

Project Start Date

May 2027

Have Questions?

Questions about eligibility, the application process, or the Emerging Investigator Awards? We're happy to help.

🖂 info@chart-a.org