The Federal Government has approved N10 billion for the 2026 National Research Fund Grant Cycle of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

 

TETFund announced the funding in a call for concept notes, stating that the grant would support research projects across 30 priority thematic areas covering Humanities and Social Sciences; Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation; and Cross-Cutting areas.

 

The 2026 grant cycle follows the completion of the 2025 cycle, during which more than N6.09 billion was awarded to support 174 research projects.

 

According to TETFund, the process of accessing the 2026 National Research Fund grant begins with the submission of concept notes by Principal Investigators leading proposed research projects.

 

Only Principal Investigators whose concept notes are evaluated and considered fundable will be invited to submit full research proposals.

 

Who can apply?

 

TETFund said lecturers in public tertiary institutions across Nigeria are eligible to apply for the grant.

 

The fund also encouraged multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research involving researchers from different academic fields.

 

The Principal Investigator will lead the research team and will be responsible and accountable for the conduct of the project.

 

In addition, the Principal Investigator must be based in an eligible institution, which will serve as the coordinating institution and guarantor for the proper use of funds allocated to the research project.

 

How to apply

 

The entire application process will be conducted online.

 

Eligible Principal Investigators are required to visit the TETFund National Research Fund portal, where they will receive guidance on preparing and submitting their concept notes.

 

Applicants whose concept notes are successful will subsequently be invited to prepare and submit full research proposals.

 

Before submitting their applications, prospective applicants are encouraged to carefully study the Research Brief and application Guidelines.

 

All submitted concept notes will be assessed by the National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee.

 

Principal Investigators whose concept notes are successful will be notified and invited to submit their full proposals online.

 

TETFund said the Principal Investigator and at least one member of the research team behind any proposal considered fundable after screening would be invited to defend the proposal before the committee.

 

Successful proposals will then be forwarded to the TETFund Board of Trustees for approval and subsequent disbursement of funds.

 

When is the deadline?

 

The TETFund portal will open for the submission of concept notes on August 31, 2026.

 

The deadline for submission is October 15, 2026, Nigerian time.

 

The fund stressed that there would be no extension of the deadline.

 

30 priority research areas

 

The 30 priority thematic areas are divided into three broad categories:

 

Humanities and Social Sciences

 

Citizenship and National Integration

 

Conflict, Defence and Security

 

Economic Development and Globalisation

 

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

 

Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation

 

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

 

Cross-Cutting Areas

 

Blue Economy

 

Clean and Affordable Energy

 

Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation

 

Environment, Housing, Urban and Regional Development

 

Innovation and Technology in National Defence Capabilities

 

Resource Governance

 

National System of Innovation

 

The call for concept notes was signed by the TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny S. T. Echono, PhD, FNIA, OON.

 

For enquiries, applicants can contact the TETFund National Research Fund Secretariat through zanginas@tetfund.gov.ng, odoju@tetfund.gov.ng, ukimci@tetfund.gov.ng and ugwubs@tetfund.gov.ng.