Open for Applications
Ignite — Research Capacity Building Program
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Program / Project
Description
Ignite is Thinkng's flagship R&D capacity development programme, a structured 17-week cohort-based training experience for students, early graduates, prospective researchers & junior faculty researchers. Participants build core competencies in research design, methodology, ethics, data analysis, and scientific communication, graduating into Thinkng's curated research talent pool for industry placement.
Category / Thematic Area
Research & Knowledge Systems / R&D Capacity Development
Grant Value
Advisor Selection
Research Partner Name
edX (Content Partner)
Start — End Date
September 1, 2026
–
September 18, 2026
Target Applicants
Ignite bridges the gap between Africa's untapped academic potential and the research and development capacity that local industry needs. Through digitally enabled training delivered thruough the edX platform course content, each cohort of 50 participants progresses through a structured 17-week programme spanning four development domains: - Research knowledge and techniques
- Professional conduct
- Regulatory compliance and ethics
- Research engagement and impact. Graduates are inducted into the Thinkng Research Talent Pool and connected to industry and institutional partners actively seeking research-ready talent. Program Fee:
The programme fee is ₦150,000 per participant. This fee covers full programme access and includes a one-year Thinkng platform subscription, giving graduates continued access to opportunity listings and the research talent marketplace after the programme ends.
Background
Africa's academic institutions produce large numbers of graduates with genuine intellectual potential, yet a persistent disconnect exists between this talent and the applied research competencies that industry and institutional R&D environments require. Private enterprises across the continent struggle to identify locally trained researchers who meet their readiness standards, while emerging researchers lack structured pathways into professional research practice. The Ignite Programme was designed to address this disconnect, equipping participants with the skills, credentials, and connections to transition from academic potential into active research contribution.
Abstract
Ignite bridges the gap between Africa's untapped academic potential and the research and development capacity that local industry needs. Through digitally enabled training delivered thruough the edX platform course content, each cohort of 50 participants progresses through a structured 17-week programme spanning four development domains: - Research knowledge and techniques
- Professional conduct
- Regulatory compliance and ethics
- Research engagement and impact. Graduates are inducted into the Thinkng Research Talent Pool and connected to industry and institutional partners actively seeking research-ready talent. Program Fee:
The programme fee is ₦150,000 per participant. This fee covers full programme access and includes a one-year Thinkng platform subscription, giving graduates continued access to opportunity listings and the research talent marketplace after the programme ends.
Objectives
1. Develop a pool of 200 research-ready participants within the first 18–24 months, beginning with 50 participants in Cohort 1.
2. Equip participants with domain competencies in research design, methodology, ethics, data analysis, and scientific communication, assessed against defined readiness standards.
3. Facilitate transition of programme graduates into research engagements through the Thinkng Research Talent Pool and Thinkng's Opportunity Partner network.
4. Build a sustainable, self-reinforcing pipeline between African research talent and industry R&D demand.
Attachments
#Ignite_Application_Step_by_Step_Guide_.docx