New partnership with Africa Oxford Initiative at the University of Oxford

Research Alpha is pleased to launch a new fellowship program in partnership with the Africa Oxford Initiative.

The fellowship is designed to support exceptional mid-career African researchers to collaborate with industry partners and Oxford-based scholars to develop research that addresses real-world industry challenges. Building on the established AfOx Visiting Fellowship model, the RAIN Fellowship combines academic engagement at Oxford with embedded research collaboration in African-focused industry and innovation organisations. Fellows will participate in ten months of virtual collaboration throughout the year, alongside a two-month in-person residency in Oxford, creating opportunities to advance research, build partnerships, and share findings with both academic and industry audiences.

The inaugural cohort will focus on the application of AI and emerging technologies in Energy, Agriculture, and Health Sectors, recognising the critical need for Africa-led research in these critical sectors. The pilot programme will target up to 5 mid-career researchers from African universities and research institutes.

The fellows and their global collaborators will be matched to an Africa-focused industry partner, and work together to refine their research focus on industry-relevant questions. The fellows will be primarily based in their home institutions but participate in global research networks, deliver guest lectures, attend conferences, and research meetings and take part in our professional development program.

“At Research Alpha, we aim to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world industry challenges in Africa. Through the RAIN Fellowship, we are excited to support African researchers in developing rigorous, evidence-driven work that directly informs innovation, policy, and industry practice.”

“The Africa Oxford Initiative has long been committed to strengthening research collaborations between African scholars and the University of Oxford. This partnership with Research Alpha expands that vision by creating new pathways for African researchers to engage directly with industry and innovation ecosystems while advancing impactful research.”

Applications for the 2026–2027 AfOx–Research Alpha Industry (RAIN) Fellowship Programme are open until May 15, 2026. Further details on eligibility and the application process are available below.

About AfOx

The Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) is an institution-wide academic network at the University of Oxford that connects the University's engagement with Africa. AfOx's vision is a world in which Africa's knowledge, leadership, and innovation drive global progress. The Initiative advances this vision through pioneering education, research, and innovation programmes that foster equitable and impactful partnerships between Africa and Oxford.