Call for Proposals: Strengthening African Policy Research and Regional Collaboration

Application Form

The African Think Tank Platform (ATTP) aims to establish a sustainable platform to strengthen Africa’s capacity for effective policy research and evidence-based policymaking on cross-boundary priorities.

Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the African Union Commission, the platform seeks to support and connect African think tanks working on critical continental issues, including economic transformation, climate change, trade integration, food security, human capital development, and digitalization, with a strong emphasis on gender and regional collaboration.

We are inviting applications from consortia of African think tanks to apply for funding under the ATTP. Selected consortia will contribute to the platform’s core mission by producing high-quality research, engaging in policy dialogue, and strengthening institutional capacity to inform continental policymaking.

Eligible applicants must be registered African think tanks engaged in public policy research. Applications must be submitted as part of a consortium of think tanks. Each consortium must:

  • Be led by a designated lead think tank.
  • Include representation from at least two sub-regions across the continent.
  • Demonstrate experience working in at least four of the six priority themes of the platform.
  • Propose activities aligned with ATTP objectives on research, engagement, capacity building, and gender representation.
  • Applications will be reviewed in a two-stage process. First, proposals will be screened for eligibility. Second, eligible proposals will be evaluated by an Independent Expert Committee based on:

  • The quality and relevance of the research and engagement proposal.
  • Capacity of personnel and institutions.
  • Potential for policy impact.
  • Financial soundness and justification of the budget.
  • Gender and geographic diversity.
  • Final approval will be made by the Think Tank Platform Steering Committee (TTPSC).

    Proposals must be submitted by September 24, 2025. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.Interested consortia should follow the instructions on the ‘How to Apply’ section below to submit their application.

    How to Apply for the Africa Think Tank Platform Project Call for Proposals

    This page provides step-by-step guidance for think tank consortia interested in applying for funding through the Africa Think Tank Platform Project (ATTP). Please read the eligibility criteria carefully and follow the instructions for registration and application submission.

    1. Eligibility Criteria

    To be eligible for funding, consortia must meet the following requirements:

    Consortium Structure: Applications must be submitted by a consortium of 3 to 5 African think tanks, with one designated as the lead applicant.

  • Geographic Registration: All participating think tanks must be legally registered and based in continental Africa.
  • Policy Coverage: The consortium must demonstrate prior or ongoing experience in at least four of the six ATTP priority themes:
  • 1. Economic transformation and governance
  • 2. Climate change
  • 3. Regional trade
  • 4. Food security
  • 5. Human capital
  • 6. Digitalization
  • Strategic Alignment: Proposed activities must directly contribute to the ATTP's objectives of generating high-quality research, supporting regional policy development, promoting institutional capacity building, and increasing the representation of women in policy research.

    2. Application Documents

    Each registered consortium must submit a complete application package comprising the documents listed below. All documents must be submitted in PDF format via the secure ATTP Application Upload Portal .

    Required Documents:
  • A. Application Form
  • The official form, which includes detailed instructions on how to complete the form, captures consortium information, research topics, proposed activities, capacity-building plans, and gender strategies. 🔗 Download Application Form (.docx)


  • B. Work Plan and Budget
  • A detailed activity timeline (Gantt chart) and financial plan using the standard template. Annual allocations must not exceed 30% of each think tank’s operating budget. 🔗 Download Budget and Timeline Template (.xlsx)


  • C. Past Research and Engagement Experience
  • Use the template provided to summarize key past research or policy engagement activities relevant to ATTP themes. 🔗 Download Past Research Experience Template (.docx)


  • D. Audited Financial Reports
  • The most recent audited accounts for each consortium member to demonstrate financial accountability and grant-readiness.


  • E. CVs of Key Personnel
  • • Consortium Coordinator
    • Deputy Coordinator
    • Two lead researchers per think tank
    Use the standard CV format.
    🔗 Download CV Template (.docx)

  • Consortium Commitment Letter
  • Signed by all participating think tanks, confirming shared ownership of the proposal, willingness to collaborate, and commitment to project implementation.
    🔗 Download Commitment Letter Template (.docx)

    Applicants will receive an automatic email confirming successful submission.

    3. Register Your Consortium and Submit the Consortium’s Proposal

    Before submitting an application, all consortium must register online using the submission link below. Registration is required to:

  • Create a consortium profile.
  • For a lead applicant Submit the consortium proposal.
  • Receive access to the secure document portal to review the consortium submission.
  • Once registered, applicants will receive an email with login credentials to download the call for proposal documents and upload instructions.

    4. Submission Deadline

    All application documents must be submitted no later than:

  • 24, 2025, at 23:59 East Africa Time (EAT). Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

  • 5. Support for Applicants

  • To assist consortia in preparing strong proposals, the AUC offers the following resources:

  • Contact the Secretariat: attpinfo@africanunion.org

  • Informational Webinars: Join live sessions to learn more about ATTP objectives, proposal preparation, budgeting, and common application pitfalls. Click Here to Access Upcoming Events

  • Webinar Schedule:

    July 24, 2025: Launch of ATTP Call for Proposals
    August 6, 2025: Follow-up Webinar
    August 22, 2025: Follow-up Webinar
    September 4, 2025: Follow-up Webinar
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    REGISTER AND SUBMIT THE CONSORTIUM’S PROPOSAL

    Stage 1: Think Tank Information
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    Stage 3: Upload Required Files
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