Summary
Under the scheme, researchers and lecturers from both public and private universities are honoured for publishing high-quality research in internationally recognized journals, with the government offering substantial monetary incentives for academic excellence.
DODOMA: THE government has allocated 1.5bn/- in the 2026/27 financial year to fund the 2026 Research Excellence Awards, an initiative aimed at recognizing and rewarding outstanding Tanzanian researchers and lecturers whose work has been published in the world’s leading high-impact scientific journals.
Launched in March 2023 by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the annual awards programme seeks to enhance the country’s research culture, strengthen innovation, and improve Tanzania’s global standing in science and technology.
Under the scheme, researchers and lecturers from both public and private universities are honoured for publishing high-quality research in internationally recognized journals, with the government offering substantial monetary incentives for academic excellence.
Speaking at a press conference in Dodoma, the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adolf Mkenda, announced that applications for the 2026 Research Excellence Awards are now officially open.
He said eligible researchers and lecturers can submit their applications to the ministry from June 19 to October 31, 2026.
“The application window for the 2026 Research Excellence Awards is now open, and all eligible researchers and lecturers are encouraged to submit their applications within the stipulated period,” Prof. Mkenda said.
The minister identified four categories eligible for the awards: Engineering, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Health and Allied Sciences.
To qualify, applicants must have published their research findings in one of the top ten journals worldwide within their respective disciplines, as determined by journal impact factor rankings.
Prof. Mkenda said the initiative is designed to elevate Tanzania’s scientific research to new heights by motivating researchers to produce internationally competitive work.
“Through this programme, the government aims to promote scientific research and enhance Tanzania’s global recognition by providing financial rewards to researchers who publish in prestigious international journals. We expect this initiative to improve the global rankings of both Tanzanian scientists and academic institutions,” he explained.
Since the programme was introduced, 336 research publications have met the award criteria, while 200 Tanzanian researchers have received monetary prizes.
The top award carries a prize of 50 million shillings, which can be awarded either to an individual researcher or shared among members of a research team.
According to Prof. Mkenda, only two Tanzanian researchers have so far won the full 50 million shillings as individual recipients, while most other winners have shared the prize as collaborative research groups.
As the awards enter their fourth edition, the minister urged eligible scientists, researchers, and lecturers to take advantage of the opportunity by submitting their published research papers before the application deadline.
He expressed confidence that the programme will continue to inspire high-quality research and strengthen Tanzania’s position in the global scientific community.
