Apply for a National Research Fund (NRF) research grant
National Research Fund, State Department for Science, Research and Innovation · sources read 4 Oct 2026
Register on the NRF Grants Management System (grantsportal.nrf.go.ke), wait for an advertised call, then fill and submit the online application before the deadline. NRF only takes proposals after a call is advertised.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- Where
- Online on the NRF Grants Management System (grantsportal.nrf.go.ke). NRF offices: NACOSTI Plaza, 3rd Floor, Upper Kabete, Nairobi.
What you need
- A full proposal: objectives, research methods, investigators' qualifications, expected outputs and the budget
- Endorsement by your institution's CEO and Head of Finance
- Ethical clearance, if your research area needs it (required before funding)
Steps
- Go to grantsportal.nrf.go.ke, click Register/Login and fill in the registration form.
- Watch for an advertised call. Proposals are only accepted after NRF announces a call in the papers and online.
- Log in, open the call under Recent Calls, click View Details, then Apply.
- Fill every section (you can save and come back), upload the required documents, and submit once the progress bar shows 100%.
- If the NRF Board approves your proposal, you get a Letter of Offer and a contract.
Watch out
- The 2026 postgraduate call (NRF001/2026) is closed. It funded PhD research up to KSh 2 million over up to 3 years and Master's research up to KSh 500,000 for 1 year.
- NRF does not pay for writing the concept note or proposal.
- Your budget must not go above the limit in the call document.
Who can apply
- Public and private research institutions and universities, researchers, innovators and postgraduate students.
- The lead researcher (Principal Investigator) must be a Kenyan citizen.
- Applicants need at least a master's degree (or equivalent experience), or be innovators recognised by the Kenya National Innovation Agency.
- You must be affiliated to a recognised Kenyan research institution.
Official sources (6)
- Funding Mechanisms and Eligibility nrf.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Guidelines for Accessing the Grant nrf.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- FAQs nrf.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Grants Management System - Home grantsportal.nrf.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- How to Apply for a Grant Call grantsportal.nrf.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Grant Calls grantsportal.nrf.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026