Evaluating UK-Southern Africa higher education research partnerships
The FCDO invites tenders by 9 January 2026 for an assessment of the effectiveness, challenges and opportunities of higher education partnerships between the UK and Southern Africa.
There is currently limited information on the extent of higher education partnerships between UK and Southern African universities. This is due to challenges in accessible data, resulting in missed opportunities for equitable and impactful collaboration and linkages between British high commissions and embassies in the region.
This research will fill the evidence gaps by mapping university partnerships across Southern Africa, assessing their effectiveness, value, and sustainability, whilst identifying lessons learned and future opportunities. The deadline to apply is 9 January 2026.
What the fund will achieve
As well as filling an evidence gap, findings will support the UK Government and other UK partners’ strategic planning, policy development and engagement with stakeholders. This will ensure that future partnerships are coherent, equitable, and aligned with UK and Southern African objectives.
Requirements for organisations wishing to apply
The FCDO expects that the core team delivering this work will have the required technical and contextual experience in the collection, interpretation, synthesis, and wide dissemination of research findings and recommendations.
The team should include experts on higher education in both the UK and Southern Africa (particularly in South Africa and Zambia), with demonstrable knowledge and experience of higher education systems.
We will give preference to bidders with established networks and contacts within Southern Africa that will enable effective evidence gathering through existing relationships. We will also give preference to bidders with proven experience in delivering similar research.
We will prioritise research teams that bring together both international and local expertise and meaningfully include researchers from the focus countries (for example, as principal or co-investigators). We welcome applications from consortia that unite institutions in the UK and Africa.
How to apply
Email your tender documents to uk_evidence_fund_administration@pwc.com by 11:59pm UK time on 9 January 2026.
You can email clarification questions to uk_evidence_fund_administration@pwc.com by 11:59pm UK time on 5 January 2026. We aim to respond by 11:59pm UK time on 6 January 2026.
Contact
Email the Evidence Fund manager: uk_evidence_fund_administration@pwc.com