Organisation: Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) & APCC
Program Type: Genomics & Public Health Research Grant
Location: Open to research networks across the African continent
Application Deadline: August 14, 2026
OVERVIEW
Genomics-led Impact on African Population Health (GEN-IMPACT) is a five-year programme designed to generate high-value African genomic data linked to rich cohort-based phenotypic, environmental, and longitudinal population and health information. The programme responds to a major gap in global genomics: African populations remain severely underrepresented in genomic datasets despite the continent’s exceptional genetic diversity and the urgent need for evidence relevant to African health priorities.
This Request for Expression of Interest (REOI is the first stage in the process of identifying cohort-embedded GEN-IMPACT sub-study concepts that can be implemented within APCC population cohorts. The REOI is intended to identify both APCC cohorts interested in hosting GEN-IMPACT sub-studies and African-led research teams, including human genomics researchers and consortia, wishing to collaborate with APCC cohorts to address locally and regionally relevant health questions.
PURPOSE OF THE REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
• Identify APCC cohorts, or cohorts applying for APCC membership, that are interested in hosting a GENIMPACT sub-study
• Identify African-led research teams or consortia with relevant genomics, population health, bioinformatics, clinical, epidemiological, ethical, or implementation expertise who wish to collaborate with APCC cohorts
• Understand the range of locally relevant health questions that can be addressed using APCC cohort populations, longitudinal follow-up, and linked phenotypic, environmental, clinical, and genomic data
• Assess cohort strengths, readiness, and infrastructure for implementing a genomics sub-study
• Assess the proposed collaboration between the applicant team and the cohort investigators responsible for the study population and data assets
• Inform prioritisation of populations, geographies, and topics during the GEN-IMPACT landscaping phase
• Help identify applicants who may be invited to submit a full application in the next stage
RESPONSIBILITIES
GEN-IMPACT seeks sub-study concepts that demonstrate:
• Strong relevance to important local or regional health challenges
• Potential for meaningful genomic discovery and scientific impact
• Contribution to reducing underrepresentation in African genomic data
• Embedded within an established APCC cohort population, or a cohort applying for APCC membership,
with access to valuable linked data and capacity for long-term follow-up
• Clear evidence of a substantive, equitable collaboration between the applicant team and the cohort
investigators responsible for the study population, data assets, governance processes, and follow-up
• Potential to bring complementary expertise, including human genomics, bioinformatics, molecular
epidemiology, data science, ethics, clinical science, or population health expertise, in collaboration with APCC cohorts
• Feasibility of implementation under a shared protocol and consortium model
• Potential to strengthen local capacity in genomics, data systems, analysis, ethics, and operations.
ELIGIBILITY
• The application must be led by an African institution, research organisation, cohort, or consortium,
including human genomics researchers who are not currently part of the APCC network
• The proposed sample population, participant data, and longitudinal follow-up must be nested within an
APCC cohort, or within a cohort that has applied for APCC membership before submission
• Applications led by researchers or institutions outside the APCC cohort network must include a named
collaboration with the relevant cohort leadership or designated cohort investigator/s
• The cohort investigator/s must be substantively involved in the proposed work, including access to the
study population, interpretation of cohort-specific data, ethics, and governance processes, community
engagement where applicable, and plans for long-term follow-up
How to apply
Cohorts interested in participating that are not yet APCC members should apply for APCC membership before submission of the REOI. Click Here for APCC Membership Enquiries and Applications
For more information, visit the official Science for Africa Foundation Announcement Page.
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