ASFI 5-10 Program 2026
ASFI 5-10 Program Overview
A flagship research capacity-building initiative targeting African institutions to create clusters of next-generation research champions across the continent.
What is the ASFI 5-10 Program?
The ASFI 5-10 Program is a flagship research capacity-building initiative of the African Science Foundation Initiative (ASFI), targeting African universities, governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations rather than individual researchers as applicants. While ASFI has historically supported individual African researchers, this program shifts the focus to strengthening institutions, fostering sustainable impact at the organizational and community levels.
Aim of the 5-10 Program
The overarching aim of the ASFI 5-10 Program is to create clusters of next-generation research champions across African universities.
- In each year of the implementation of the program, ASFI aims to train and mentor up to 250 candidates drawn from 50 institutions across Africa's five regions (Central, Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Africa).
- Each region will contribute 10 institutions, each nominating five early-career researchers (3 women and 2 men).
- Participants will receive intensive training and mentored in research excellence, integrity, and science patriotism, while engaging in inter-regional and inter-institutional multidisciplinary collaborations.
At the end of the program, candidates who successfully complete all requirements will receive the ASFI Consolidated Research Excellence Capacity Building Certificate. Graduates are expected to transfer acquired skills and experiences back to their home institutions, creating a multiplier effect across Africa.
Skills to Develop
Participants will receive structured training and mentorship in:
Data Analysis
Scientific communication and publishing
Grant writing and research funding
Science leadership and mentoring
Career development and nurturing
Research integrity and productivity
Research networking and collaboration
Benefits of the Program
Comprehensive Skill Development
Full research pipeline from question formulation to publication
Tangible Research Outputs
Peer-reviewed papers, abstracts for scientific conferences, and collaborative grant applications
Exposure
Exposure to peer review by participating in manuscript evaluations.
Continental Collaboration
Formation of long-term, multidisciplinary research collaborations across Africa.
Professional Certification
Award of the ASFI Consolidated Research Excellence Capacity Building Certificate
Opportunity
Opportunity to make a lasting institutional impact through knowledge transfer.
Who Can Apply?
Only institutions may apply. Individual applications will not be accepted.
Eligible institutions include:
Candidate Selection Criteria
Participating institutions must ensure nominees meet the following requirements:
- Gender and disciplinary balance: 3 women and 2 men, each from a different discipline.
- New participants only: Nominees must not have attended any prior ASFI course.
- Excellence: Nominees must be among the top 10 junior researchers as determined by their institution.
- Career stage: Within 3 years of completing a doctoral degree.
- Age: Under 40 years (men) or 45 years (women).
- Commitment: Willingness to fully participate in all ASFI programs throughout cycle.
- ASFI Community Engagement: Must commit to be active members of the ASFI General Assembly (GA).
Application Process
Institutional Application
Each institution must designate a senior staff member to apply on its behalf.
Application Decision
After the institutional application, the ASFI designated 5-10 Program Committee reviews the applications and makes a decision on which institutions to invite to nominated candidates to the program
Candidate Nomination
Institutions may nominate five candidates (3 women, 2 men) across diverse disciplines.
Program Fees
FREE
Participation is free of charge for selected institutions
Training Mode and Contact
All training and mentoring will be delivered virtually. Candidates will work in multidisciplinary collaborative groups to achieve program milestones, including:
- Publishing scientific papers
- Presenting abstracts at the ASFI Annual Conference
- Applying for project grants
- Reviewing manuscripts in their fields
ASFI will implement a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and impact at both the individual and institutional levels.
Key Features of the Program
1. Pan-African Institutional Representation
Inclusive participation from five African regions with diverse institutional representation
2. Institutional Endorsement and Commitment
Formal authorization and nomination of five participants with sustained involvement
3. Structured Mentorship and Peer Support
Mentee Pal system with experienced mentors guiding participants through monthly sessions
4. Capacity Building and Skills Development
Multi-disciplinary skills through targeted training and workshops
5. Collaborative and Output-Oriented Approach
Cross-institutional groups focused on measurable research outputs
6. Strong Monitoring and Accountability Framework
Quarterly progress tracking and evaluation framework
7. Orientation and Continuous Engagement
Two major orientation meetings launch the program cycle
8. Recognition and Visibility
Showcased on ASFI website and increased institutional visibility
9. Long-Term Impact Orientation
Builds sustainable mentorship and collaboration structures
10. Transformative Platform
Empowers institutions and scholars to collaborate and innovate
Program Components
Organized around four key pillars for comprehensive capacity building
Institutional Engagement & Selection
This component ensures broad, diverse, and equitable participation of institutions across Africa.
Key features:
- Competitive selection of 10 institutions per African region.
- Inclusion of a variety of institutions — public and private universities, new and established institutions, government research institutes, and NGOs.
- Institutions commit to oversight and accountability.
- Participants solely and officially nominated and endorsed by their institutional leadership.
Purpose: To strengthen institutional ownership, ensure accountability, and create a distributed network of research capacity within each participating institution and by extension across the continent.
Capacity Building & Learning
This is a central pillar focused on acquiring knowledge, new skills, and research capacity building among participants.
Key activities:
- Structured training modules and workshops across research, leadership, and academic development.
- Thematic courses covering topics across the research and career life cycles
- Access to mentorship and networking opportunities within ASFI and across institutions and regions.
Expected outcome: Participants gain multi-disciplinary competencies and become better equipped to thrive in career and research, including publishing, securing funding, and leading research collaborations.
Mentorship & Peer Support (Mentee Pal System)
A unique peer-mentoring structure designed to ensure engagement, accountability, and collaboration throughout the program each cohort life cycle.
Key features:
- Active and Experienced Mentee Pals — experienced ASFI peer mentors who serve as peer facilitators for designated program groups.
- Each Mentee Pal supports a group of ASFI 5–10 participants by:
- Holding regular (at least one per month) meetings
- Supporting participants in accomplishing group tasks and milestones
- Contributing to joint outputs (publications, grants, collaborations)
- Submitting quarterly reports to ASFI
- Encouragement of cross-institutional peer learning and collaborative project development.
Purpose: To ensure participants receive consistent support, feedback, and motivation, while building a self-sustaining culture of mentorship within African institutions.
Monitoring, Collaboration & Impact
A strong accountability and follow-up structure to measure progress and sustain engagement.
Key features:
- Quarterly monitoring of institutional and participant progress through standardized reports.
- Orientation and review meetings to align expectations and assess performance.
- Collaborative outputs: publications, conference papers, and joint grant applications.
- Institutional and participant evaluations to assess outcomes and impact.
- Publication of participating institutions and outputs on the ASFI website to showcase excellence and impact.
Purpose: To ensure sustained engagement, track institutional commitment, and demonstrate the program's contribution to Africa's research and innovation ecosystem.
Expected Overall Outcomes
Strengthened Institutional Research Ecosystems
Enhanced research capacity and infrastructure within participating institutions
Cadre of Skilled African Scholars
Development of next-generation research leaders equipped with comprehensive skills
Continental Networking
Promotion of South-South collaboration and knowledge exchange across Africa
Increased Research Outputs
More publications, successful grant applications, and collaborative research projects
Global Scientific Visibility
Enhanced African presence and leadership in global knowledge production
The Mentee Pal Program
Peer-mentorship initiative strengthening learning, collaboration, and research excellence
What is the Mentee Pal Program?
The Mentee Pal Program is a peer-mentorship initiative within the ASFI 5–10 Program, designed to strengthen learning, collaboration, and research excellence among participants. It brings together experienced ASFI members—known as Mentee Pals—who serve as peer mentors to guide, support, and inspire early-career researchers participating in the program. Through structured engagement, mentorship, and teamwork, Mentee Pals help create a dynamic environment that fosters academic growth, professional development, and collective achievement. The program embodies ASFI's commitment to building a culture of integrity, inclusivity, and shared progress across Africa's research community. In essence, the Mentee Pal Program transforms experienced ASFI members into catalysts for institutional and continental research capacity, ensuring that every participant thrives while contributing meaningfully to Africa's scientific advancement.
Who are Mentee Pals?
Mentee Pals are peer mentors within the ASFI 5–10 Program who guide, support, and inspire participants, fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and collective impact. They serve as peer leaders, helping to create a supportive and dynamic environment that nurtures personal and professional growth while advancing the goals of the 5–10 Program. Ideally, Mentee Pals are existing ASFI members already familiar with the organization's vision, values, and activity routines.
Responsibilities of Mentee Pals
- Engage Actively in the Program: Attend and actively participate in ASFI programs, mentoring sessions, workshops, seminars, and GA activities; contribute consistently to collaborative group activities.
- Support and Guide the 5-10 Program Participants: Encourage and motivate the 5-10 Program participants; share resources, strategies, and constructive feedback; act as accountability partners for accomplishing their group's tasks and milestones.
- Foster Collaboration and Integrity: Promote teamwork, inclusivity, and mutual respect; model research integrity and uphold ASFI's values.
- Deliver the 5-10 Program Outputs: Work collectively with the 5-10 Program participants towards producing scientific papers, conference abstracts, and grant applications; contribute to peer review and knowledge exchange.
Benefits of Being a Mentee Pal
Serving as a Mentee Pal in the ASFI 5–10 Program provides unique professional and personal development opportunities. Participants in the Mentee Pal Program will benefit in the following ways:
Expected Outcomes
- Enhanced skills in leadership, research methods, publishing, leadership, and collaboration.
- Tangible outputs, including publications, presentations, and research proposals.
- Strengthened peer-to-peer networks across Africa.
- Increased confidence and experience in mentorship and teamwork.
Benefits
- Leadership Development: Gain hands-on experience in mentoring, guiding, and motivating peers. Strengthen leadership, facilitation, and team management skills.
- Research and Academic Growth: Contribute to impactful research outputs within the groups they support through publications, grant applications, and collaborative research projects. Enhance academic writing, research design, and knowledge-sharing skills.
- Networking and Visibility: Build lasting connections with scholars, researchers, and institutions across Africa. Gain recognition as a continental peer mentor within the ASFI community and beyond.
- Capacity Building: Develop strong skills in monitoring, evaluation, and accountability through quarterly reporting. Learn to balance mentorship responsibilities with academic and professional roles.
- Career Advancement: Strengthen your academic and professional profile through contributions to continental research outputs. Enhance eligibility and competitiveness for future grants, fellowships, and leadership positions.
- Contribution to Africa's Research Ecosystem: Play a pivotal role in supporting the next generation of African scholars. Contribute to ASFI's overarching goal of advancing Africa's knowledge production, collaboration, and socio-economic transformation.
- Free ASFI Membership: Mentee Pals receive free membership of ASFI during the year they act as Mentee Pals
In Summary: Mentee Pals grow as leaders, expand their networks, contribute to continental outputs, and gain recognition while shaping Africa's future research community.
Criteria for Selecting Mentee Pals
Commitment
Willingness to fully engage in all program activities and peer-support responsibilities
Collaboration Skills
Ability to work inclusively and respectfully in diverse, multidisciplinary, and inter-regional groups
Peer Mentorship Potential
Demonstrates openness to guide, encourage, and support colleagues
Research Integrity
Commitment to uphold high standards of ethics, transparency, and accountability in research
Leadership Promise
Shows initiative, reliability, and capacity to foster teamwork and collective progress
Communication
Strong interpersonal skills, with willingness to share experiences and constructive feedback
Motivation
Passionate about learning, collaboration, and contributing to the growth of the ASFI community
Institutional Quintet Program
The Quintet model fosters institutional collaboration and capacity building across Africa
Transforming participants into institutional ambassadors of ASFI's vision and values
What is the Institutional Quintet Program?
The Institutional Quintet Program is a key pillar of the ASFI 5–10 Program, bringing together five selected participants from each institution to serve as local ambassadors of ASFI's vision and values. Working collaboratively, each Quintet drives research excellence, mentorship, and institutional capacity building through seminars, workshops, and collaborative initiatives. By translating the skills and insights gained from the 5–10 Program into local impact, the Institutional Quintet fosters a culture of integrity, innovation, and collaboration—ensuring that ASFI's transformative influence extends beyond individuals to strengthen institutions and the broader African research ecosystem.
Core Vision of ASFI 5-10 Program
The ASFI 5–10 Program envisions its candidates as centres of excellence and influence – custodians and conduits of ASFI's values within their institutions. Each participant is expected not only to grow personally and professionally but also to become a transformative agent, embedding ASFI's spirit of scientific excellence, integrity, and collaboration into their institutional culture.
Through this vision, the ASFI 5–10 Program seeks to cultivate a network of change-makers – individuals who will elevate the standards of research, mentorship, and institutional capacity across Africa.
Dual Impact of the 5–10 Program
The 5–10 Program is designed to empower, transform, and amplify the productivity, innovation, and impact of its participants. Yet, its purpose extends beyond the individual participant. Through each candidate, ASFI aims to ignite a ripple effect of transformation that strengthens entire institutions – enhancing leadership, research excellence, and collaborative culture from within.
For many institutions, the opportunity to participate in the ASFI 5–10 Program may come only once in a generation. Hence, every selected candidate carries dual responsibility:
- To maximize their personal growth, and
- To ensure their institution fully benefits from this engagement with ASFI.
Their success is not measured solely by personal advancement, but by how effectively they transfer the knowledge, skills, and networks gained into institutional progress and sustainability.
Extending ASFI's Reach
ASFI's vision is continental, yet it recognizes the limits of sole and direct reach. The 5–10 Program will help to bridge this gap by positioning participants as ASFI's ambassadors – its eyes, hands, and feet – within their institutions.
Through the program, participants will gain a wealth of transferable skills, practical experience, and a strong pan-African professional network. They are expected to translate these resources into tangible outcomes – fostering collaboration, mentoring colleagues, and embedding ASFI's values of excellence and ethical research practices in their home institutions.
The Institutional Quintet
Each institution's five selected candidates collectively form the ASFI 5–10 Program Institutional Quintet – a dynamic team tasked with promoting institutional engagement and sustaining the program's vision locally.
The Quintet serves as a catalyst for institutional transformation, driving dialogue, training, and excellent research culture change. Members are expected to function as a cohesive, proactive group – strategically organizing initiatives that align with both ASFI's mission and their institution's specific needs.
Every Institutional Quintet is mandated to organize at least two institutional seminars or workshops during the ASFI 5–10 Program year. These events, designed to transfer lessons and insights from the 5–10 Program, must be formally reported to ASFI Management, which may provide guidance or support where necessary. Topics may draw from ASFI's core courses or complementary initiatives like Prof. Nwaru's Career Navigator Series, ensuring relevance and continuity with ASFI's wider learning ecosystem.
Beyond these required events, Quintets are encouraged to initiate additional activities such as training sessions, symposia, mentorship circles, or professional development programs – tailored to the unique needs of their institutional communities. Where these additional activities are organized, they should be reported to ASFI Management.
Cross-Country Collaboration: The Continental Quintets
To strengthen collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas, each Institutional Quintet will connect with others with their 5-10 Program cohort across Africa to form Continental Quintets – inter-institutional clusters that foster long-term partnerships, peer support, and shared research endeavors.
These Continental Quintet Clusters will evolve into enduring ecosystems of scientific collaboration – building capacity, nurturing emerging researchers, and reinforcing Africa's collective scientific leadership.
In the long term, they will serve as sustainable structures for mentorship, innovation, and institutional growth, ensuring that the transformative impact of the ASFI 5–10 Program extends beyond its immediate participants to influence the broader continental research landscape.
250
Candidates Trained Annually
50
Participating Institutions
5
African Regions
100%
Free for Institutions
