NEMA Research Grant 2026-2027 for Ugandan University Students
About the NEMA Research Grant
The NEMA Research Grant 2026-2027, officially the NEMA Research and Innovations Student Support Grant, is a competitive grant from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for Ugandan university students working on environmental research or innovation projects. NEMA supports environmental research under the National Environment Act, Cap. 181, and this call puts the National Environment Research Agenda (NERA) 2024/2025-2029/2030 into practice.
The call invites proposals that generate credible scientific evidence, or that test practical, scalable solutions to Uganda’s priority environmental challenges. NEMA will prioritise proposals with clear potential for real-world application, scalability, knowledge uptake, technology transfer and measurable environmental benefit.
Many grants in Uganda only fund senior researchers. This one is open to students: Master’s students can fund the research for their dissertations, and registered students at any level can fund an environmental innovation that is ready for piloting. It pays for field and lab costs, but it is not a tuition scholarship.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a Ugandan citizen
- Must be a registered student at an accredited university in Uganda
- For a research grant: must be a Master’s student who has completed coursework
- For an innovation grant: may be a student at any level (diploma, bachelor’s, master’s or PhD)
- Research or innovation must be relevant to one of NEMA’s three priority areas
- Innovations must be at the piloting phase
- Must not be a NEMA staff member
Priority Areas
Grant Benefits
The grant does not cover tuition fees, salaries or any costs outside the approved project. All budgets must be in Ugandan Shillings (UGX), and the work, including analysis, reporting and dissemination, must be finished within six months of signing the grant agreement.
How to Apply
- Check that your project fits one of the three priority areas and that you meet the eligibility for the grant type you’re applying for (research or innovation).
- Prepare your proposal and a budget in UGX that stays within the cap for your grant type.
- Complete the NEMA Research Grant online application form on the NEMA Research and Innovation Grant page. NEMA does not accept applications delivered in person.
- Submit before the deadline, Friday 23 October 2026. NEMA hasn’t published a closing time, so don’t leave it until the last day.
NEMA warns that any falsification or lobbying leads to automatic disqualification or cancellation of the grant.
Contact & Inquiries
0800 144 444
NEMA House
Plot 17/19/21 Jinja Road
P.O. Box 22255, Kampala
Applications close October 23, 2026 at 5:00 am
Apply well before the deadline: portals get slow on the last day, and a nominating body can close earlier than the main deadline.
Or read the official details at www.nema.go.ug
Never pay for a scholarship. Genuine scholarship programmes do not charge application, processing or placement fees. Anyone asking you to pay to apply, or to send money to secure a place, is running a scam.
