Window V – Student Research and Innovation

Overview

Window V is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Gambian researchers and innovators by providing students with their first significant research grant. It recognises that student-led research can generate valuable insights, and that early grant experience is critical for building a career in research or innovation. Projects must be student-led but supervised by a qualified academic staff member at an accredited institution.

Grant Categories

• Undergraduate Research Grants (GMD 50,000–150,000): For final-year or penultimate-year undergraduate students undertaking a research project aligned with their dissertation or major coursework component
• Postgraduate Research Grants (GMD 100,000–300,000): For Master's or PhD candidates undertaking research as part of their degree requirements, with approval from their supervisor and institution

Priority Themes

Proposals are encouraged in the following areas, though applications from all academic disciplines are welcome:

• Agriculture, nutrition, and rural livelihoods
• Public health, epidemiology, and community health
• Environmental science, climate change, and natural resource management
• Social science, governance, and development economics
• Education, pedagogy, and learning outcomes
• Technology, engineering, and applied sciences
• Gender, culture, and human rights

Mentorship Requirement

Every application must include a signed Supervisor Agreement Letter confirming that a qualified academic supervisor (minimum Master's degree, active faculty member) has reviewed the proposal and will provide ongoing academic and ethical oversight throughout the project.

Eligible Applicants

• Currently enrolled undergraduate students in their final year or penultimate year at an accredited Gambian tertiary institution (for undergraduate grants)
• Currently enrolled Master's or PhD students at an accredited Gambian or internationally recognised institution with a Gambia-based research component (for postgraduate grants)
• Students must hold Gambian citizenship or be permanent residents of The Gambia

Supervision and Institutional Conditions

• A qualified supervisor (active faculty member with at least a Master's degree) must be identified and must co-sign the application
• The host institution must endorse the application and confirm that the research has received (or is pending) institutional ethics clearance where applicable
• Research activities must be consistent with the student's academic programme

Restrictions

• Grant funds may not be used for tuition fees, accommodation, or personal living expenses
• A student may hold only one active Window V grant at a time
• Students who have previously received a Window V grant may apply for a subsequent grant only after submitting a final report from their previous grant