Founding Cohort 2026/2027

Developing researchers who can move from questions to impact.

A structured 12-month mentoring and researcher-development programme for early-career researchers, especially those navigating low-resource research environments.

10 researchers

Small founding cohort

Apply by 2 Nov 2026

Applications open 2 Oct

2 Dec 2026–2 Dec 2027

Graduation: 27 Nov 2027

Ungozu R & D Researcher Development Programme

Why this programme

Research development beyond supervision

The programme combines mentoring, practical research capability, publishing support, digital and responsible-AI practice, grant readiness, networking, sponsorship and research-to-impact thinking.

01
Research identity
Clarify your research direction, strengths, gaps, goals and the researcher you are becoming.
02
Research capability
Strengthen literature work, methods, data practice, reproducibility, writing and peer review.
03
Career capital
Build publications, grants, fellowships, collaborations, visibility and a credible professional network.
04
Research impact
Connect rigorous research to real problems, implementation, innovation, policy and public value.

Programme at a glance

A full year of structured development

12

Monthly development themes

48

Weekly learning cycles

4

Quarterly development gates

1

Year-end research portfolio

Mentoring philosophy

You should leave more independent than you arrived.

The model is structured near-peer development: recent research experience, practical academic guidance, accountability, sponsorship and deliberate connection to wider expertise when needed.

“I demonstrate → we do it together → you do it and I review → you do it independently → you help another researcher.”

Founding cohort

Applications are open for 10 researchers.

Application period: 2 October–2 November 2026.

Start your application