Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Fellowship

🇺🇬

by Government of the Republic of Uganda · Makerere University

🏆 Fully Funded 🟢 Active 🎓 PhD, Postdoctoral, and Academic Staff Research 🌍 Uganda 📌 Research Grant / Fellowship

⚡ Apply Now 🤖 Check Eligibility

72%

Match

23%

Win Rate

9/10

Effort

10/10

Reward

60–80 hrs

Time Needed

Award

Varies (Up to UGX 300,

Duration

12 to 24 months

Deadline

Varies by Call (Ty

Level

PhD, Postdoctoral, and Academic Staff Research

Acceptance

Varies (Approximately 20-30% of applicants depending on the funding round)

Difficulty

High

🌍 Overview

💰

Award Amount

Varies (Up to UGX 300,000,000 for large-scale innovation grants)

⏱

Duration

12 to 24 months

🗓

Deadline

Varies by Call (Typically March or April annually)

🔬

Fields

Multidisciplinary (Agriculture, Health, Engineering, Social Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences)

🏆

Awards/Year

Varies (Usually 150+ grants awarded per financial year)

🌏

Study Country

Uganda

🏛️

Provider

Government of the Republic of Uganda

📊

Acceptance

Varies (Approximately 20-30% of applicants depending on the funding round)

The Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) is a multi-million dollar grant scheme funded by the Government of Uganda to support high-impact research. It aims to foster innovation that informs national policy, solves community problems, and drives economic development. The fund supports multidisciplinary teams and individual fellowships for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers.

👥 Who Should Apply

Open to Makerere University staff and doctoral students. External collaborators are allowed as part of a team led by a Makerere University Principal Investigator.

🏛️ Host University

Makerere University

🤝 Sponsor

Government of Uganda / Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development

🔬 Fields of Study

Multidisciplinary (Agriculture, Health, Engineering, Social Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences)

✨ Key Benefits

The fellowship covers the full cost of conducting research, including data collection, specialized equipment, monthly stipends for designated fellows, and travel for dissemination of findings.

🎯 Target Students

Post-graduate Students and Faculty Members

🏷 Tags

Research Innovation Uganda Post-doc PhD Research Makerere University

📊 Statistics & Competitiveness

Over 600 applications across all categories

Applicants Last Year

Approximately 180 grants across different funding windows

Winners

Varies (Approximately 20-30% of applicants depending on the funding round)

Acceptance Rate

Competitive

Competition Level

Win Probability

23%

Match Score

72%

Competition

75%

💸 Funding Breakdown

Tuition

No (Focused on research costs rather than tuition fees)

Living Stipend

Yes (Included for Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Assistants)

Total Award

Varies (Up to UGX 300,000,00

✈️ Travel: Yes (Specifically for fieldwork and dissemination of results) 🏠 Accommodation: No 💊 Health Insurance: No 🔄 Renewable: No 💳 App Fee: Free

🎓 Tuition Coverage

No (Focused on research costs rather than tuition fees)

🏠 Living Stipend

Yes (Included for Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Assistants)

🏡 Accommodation

✈️ Travel Allowance

Yes (Specifically for fieldwork and dissemination of results)

💊 Health Insurance

🎁 Other Benefits

Publication fees, equipment procurement, patenting support, and conference sponsorship

🔄 Renewable

📋 Renewal Conditions

Not applicable; requires a new application for subsequent phases

✅ Eligibility Requirements

🌍 Eligible Nationalities

Must be a registered PhD student or a permanent member of academic staff at Makerere University

🎓 Academic Level

PhD, Postdoctoral, and Academic Staff Research

📊 Minimum GPA

Check official website (Focus is on research quality rather than undergraduate GPA)

🗣️ English Requirement

Proficiency in English is required as the language of instruction and research

💼 Work Experience

Required for Principal Investigators (Academic/Research track)

🏆 Leadership

Principal Investigators must demonstrate ability to manage research teams and budgets

💰 Financial Need

Low priority (Selection is based on merit and research impact)

🎯 Target Students

Post-graduate Students and Faculty Members

📝 Application Requirements

Essay / SOP

Yes (Comprehensive Research Proposal and Theory of Change)

Rec Letters

Yes (Letters of support from the Head of Department and Dean)

Interview

Yes (Shortlisted candidates for large grants often undergo a technical defense)

Application Fee

Free

Documents Required

Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Letters of support from the Head of Department and Dean) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume

Personal Statement / Essays
Proficiency in English is required as the language of instruction and research
Interview: Yes (Shortlisted candidates for large grants often undergo a technical defense)
Min GPA: Check official website (Focus is on research quality rather than undergraduate GPA)

📋 Application Process

Align your research proposal directly with Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP III) and the Makerere University Strategic Plan.

💡 Insider Tip: Focus on 'Innovation for Development' and ensure your budget is detailed and strictly follows the Government of Uganda procurement guidelines.

🗺️ Application Roadmap

Research eligibility and gather requirements

Start Early

Collect all required documents

Start Early

Request recommendation letters early

Write compelling essays and personal statement

⚠ High Risk Stage

Submit complete application before deadline

Await shortlisting and attend interview if required

⚠ High Risk Stage

📅 Key Dates & Timeline

📅 Opens

Varies (Announced via the Mak-RIF portal)

⏰ Deadline

Varies by Call (Typically March or April annually)

🎤 Interview

Yes (Shortlisted candidates for large grants often undergo a technical defense)

🎓 Study Starts

Varies by grant award cycle

Varies (Announced via the Mak-RIF portal)

Applications Open

Gather documents and begin essays

Varies by Call (Typically March or April annually)

Application Deadline

Submit complete application — no late entries

Yes (Shortlisted candidates for large grants often undergo a technical defense)

Shortlisting & Interview

Selected candidates invited for interview

After results

Award Announced

Successful applicants notified

Varies by grant award cycle

Studies Begin

Commence degree at host institution

⚖️ Selection Process

📋 Selection Criteria

Scientific merit, relevance to national priorities, potential for impact, innovation, and team composition.

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📚 Application Resources

📝

Essay Writing Guide

Winning SOP framework & tips

🎤

Interview Prep Guide

Questions & STAR answers

📄

Document Templates

CV & recommendation templates

✅

Application Checklist

Step-by-step submission guide

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Fellowship?

Open to Makerere University staff and doctoral students. External collaborators are allowed as part of a team led by a Makerere University Principal Investigator.

What does Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Fellowship cover?

This scholarship covers: The fellowship covers the full cost of conducting research, including data collection, specialized equipment, monthly stipends for designated fellows, and travel for dissemination of findings.. It is a fully funded scholarship.

When is the application deadline?

The deadline is Varies by Call (Typically March or April annually). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.

How competitive is this scholarship?

Competition level: Competitive. Acceptance rate: Varies (Approximately 20-30% of applicants depending on the funding round). Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.

Is Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Fellowship renewable?

What documents do I need?

Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Proficiency in English is required as the language of instruction and research, Yes (Letters of support from the Head of Department and Dean) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.

🌐 Official Information

📧

Contact

info@rif.mak.ac.ug

Last updated: 2024-05-22

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