HOW TO APPLY FOR FG’S N10BN TETFUND RESEARCH GRANT

By: Muftau Fatimo

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

In its call for concept notes, TETFund said the funding would support research projects across 30 priority thematic areas covering Humanities and Social Sciences; Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation; and Cross-Cutting themes.

The agency explained that the 2026 grant cycle followed the successful completion of the 2025 programme, under which more than N6.09 billion was awarded to fund 174 research projects.

According to TETFund, interested researchers seeking to access the 2026 NRF grant are required to begin the application process by submitting concept notes for their proposed research projects through their Principal Investigators.

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

Who can apply?

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

TETFund added that it would give preference to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research projects involving experts from different fields.

The agency stated that the Principal Investigator would be responsible for leading the research team and ensuring the proper conduct and successful implementation of the project.

It further stipulated that the Principal Investigator must be based in a participating institution, which would serve as the coordinating institution and guarantee the appropriate utilisation of funds allocated to the research project.

How To Apply

The application process for the grant is entirely online.

Eligible Principal Investigators are required to access the TETFund National Research Fund portal, where they can prepare and submit their concept notes. Applicants whose concept notes are successful will subsequently be guided to submit full research proposals.

TETFund advised prospective applicants to carefully review the Research Brief and Application Guidelines before submitting their concept notes to ensure compliance with the requirements.

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

Principal Investigators with successful concept notes will be notified and invited to prepare and submit full proposals online.

The PI and at least one member of the research team behind a proposal that is screened and adjudged fundable will be invited to defend the proposal before the committee.

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

When Is The Deadline?

TETFund said the portal would open for the submission of concept notes on August 31, 2026.

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

The agency emphasised that no extension would be granted beyond the stated deadline.

30 research areas covered

The 30 priority thematic areas are grouped into three 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

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 applications was signed by the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny S. T. Echono, PhD, FNIA, OON.

For further enquiries, prospective applicants can contact the TETFund National Research Fund Secretariat via

zanginas@tetfund.gov.ng, odoju@tetfund.gov.ng, ukimci@tetfund.gov.ng and ugwubs@tetfund.gov.ng.