A competitive seed-grant scheme supporting rigorous, feasible research and innovation that addresses significant African challenges, strengthens communities and informs policy, practice, ministry, enterprise or further research.
| Maximum award | KES 250,000 per project |
| Project period | Up to 12 months from the award-agreement effective date |
| Total call envelope | KES 1,000,000 |
| Expected awards | 4 |
| Call opens | 1 October 2026 |
| Deadline | 15 November 2026, 11.59 p.m. EAT (UTC+3) |
| Submission route | RiceGrants@aiu.ac.ke |
| Research scope | Research generally, including proof-of-concept work, prototypes and other innovation outputs |
The grant helps researchers develop evidence, partnerships, scholarly and practice-facing outputs, and a stronger basis for external funding. Projects should show academic quality, ethical responsibility, responsible stewardship of resources and a realistic route to use or impact.
Overarching goal: to advance relevant, rigorous, evidence-based research and innovation for contemporary African challenges, guided by Christ-centred values and a commitment to sustainable impact.
General objective: to generate and apply high-quality, contextually relevant research within AIU’s priority areas, contributing to human flourishing, social transformation, sustainable development and community well-being.
Strengthen institutional capacity for high-quality, ethical and contextually relevant research through skills, systems and support.
Support rigorous evidence, knowledge and innovative solutions for AIU’s priority themes and African contexts.
Strengthen interdisciplinary, community-engaged and institutional collaborations and strategic partnerships.
Enhance dissemination and use of findings through publications, policy engagement, innovations and interventions.
Grow research visibility, competitive grant development, external funding and intellectual property.
Eco-Theology, Creation Care and Climate Justice. Theological perspectives on creation care, faith and climate resilience, environmental justice, ecological ethics and the role of churches and faith communities in stewardship.
Climate Change Education, Leadership and Human Development. Curriculum, teaching and learning, digital education, governance and capacity building for climate resilience.
Climate Change, Health and Health-System Resilience. Climate-sensitive health risks, nutrition, mental health, climate-resilient health systems and health equity.
Climate-Smart Entrepreneurship, Green Business and Innovation. Green enterprises, climate-smart MSMEs, sustainable finance, circular economy and clean technologies.
Digital Technologies, AI and Climate Information for Resilience. AI, data science and remote sensing for risk prediction, early warning and decision support, with ethical AI and digital inclusion.
Climate Adaptation, Ecosystem Resilience and Environmental Conservation. Ecosystem-based adaptation, biodiversity, restoration, water-resource management and indigenous knowledge.
Qualitative, quantitative or mixed-method approaches are welcome.
Request up to KES 250,000. The amount awarded reflects approved scope, quality, feasibility, value for money and available funds. AIU may offer a lower amount only where a revised scope and budget can be agreed. Costs must be in Kenya shillings, itemised and justified. No commitment or expenditure before the award agreement’s effective date.
Projects run up to 12 months with realistic dates, milestones and a month-by-month workplan. A no-cost extension is exceptional: a written request, progress update, revised workplan and justification must reach RICE at least 30 calendar days before the end date, with written approval issued before it.
Narrative limit: eight pages, 1.5 line spacing, Times New Roman 12, excluding references and annexes.
| Budget and justification | AIU template; quantities, unit costs, totals in KES; no lump sums |
| Workplan | Activities, lead, months, milestones, outputs |
| CVs | Max two pages per investigator |
| Endorsement | Signed by School/department authority |
| Partner evidence | Letter of support per external partner |
| Approvals | Letters, or a clear approval plan and status |
| Other | Only what the form requests; no full publications |
Criteria and weights will not change after the call opens. The minimum overall score for funding consideration is 70%.
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Relevance, significance and alignment | 15% |
| Clarity of problem, objectives and conceptual grounding | 10% |
| Methodological and technical rigor | 20% |
| Feasibility, workplan and risk management | 10% |
| Outputs, outcomes, impact and dissemination | 15% |
| Innovation and originality | 10% |
| Team capability, collaboration and capacity strengthening | 5% |
| Ethics, data protection and responsible research | 5% |
| Budget justification and value for money | 10% |
| Total | 100% |
Submit one complete application. Only the latest complete submission received before the deadline is assessed. Late, incomplete, corrupted or non-compliant applications will not proceed, except where RICE verifies a system-wide failure and announces a uniform remedy.
RiceGrants@aiu.ac.ke| Deadline | 15 Nov 2026, 11.59 p.m. EAT |
| Required files | Application PDF, AIU budget format (PDF), supporting attachments (PDF) |
| File naming | AIU_IRG_2026_PI-Surname |
| Receipt | Email acknowledgement |
| Technical help | 15 Nov 2026, 1.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. |