1. Background
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) recognizes that effective environmental stewardship and sustainable development require robust scientific evidence, innovative solutions, and technologies to inform planning, regulation, conservation, and environmental compliance. NEMA is mandated under the National Environment Act, Cap. 181 to support and promote environmental research and innovations. In fulfilment of this mandate, NEMA, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, prepared the National Environment Research Agenda (NERA) 2024/2025-2029/2030, a five-year strategic framework that provides direction for research and innovation aimed at addressing Uganda’s priority and emerging environmental challenges. One of the mechanisms for operationalizing NERA is through strategic collaboration with universities, academia, research institutions, and other relevant stakeholders.
2. Purpose of the Call
This call invites eligible University students to submit proposals for research studies that generate credible scientific evidence and innovation projects that demonstrate practical, scalable, and sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. The proposals should aim to address priority environmental challenges identified in this call. Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate clear potential for practical application, scalability, knowledge uptake, technology transfer, and measurable environmental benefits.
3. Priority Research and Innovation Areas for 2026–2027
NEMA invites proposals under the following THREE priority areas obtained from NERA;
A. Pollution and Waste Management
Under this priority area, proposals should focus on research and/or innovations on environmental pollution prevention, control, monitoring, waste management, and remediation.
B. Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Genetic Resources
Under this priority area, proposals should focus on research and/or innovations that support biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, restoration, and sustainable utilisation of genetic resources.
C. Environmental Digital Technologies
Under this priority area, proposals should focus on research and/or innovations that apply digital and emerging technologies to strengthen environmental monitoring, compliance, and assessment, promote circular economy and resource efficiency, advance clean and green technologies, and enhance climate change adaptation and resilience.
4. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must meet the following requirements:
i) Be a Ugandan citizen;
ii) For a research grant, the applicant should be a Master student who has completed coursework at an accredited university in Uganda;
iii) For an innovations grant, the applicant should be any registered student of any level (diploma, bachelor, master or PhD) at an accredited university in Uganda;
iv) Be undertaking research that is relevant to the NEMA research and innovation priority areas;
v) Only environmental innovations at piloting phase will be supported; and
vi) Applicant should NOT be a NEMA staff member.
5. Grant Conditions
Budget
i) All budgets must be presented in Ugandan Shillings (UGX).
ii) Research grant application should be capped at UGX 5,000,000.
iii) Innovation grant application should be capped at UGX 7,000,000.
The grant will support eligible research and innovation costs, including: Field and laboratory consumables; Local field travel expenses, Data collection and analysis, Reporting, results dissemination, and Piloting.
NB:The grant does not cover tuition fees, salaries, or other costs not directly related to the approved research and innovation project framework.
Timeline
The research and innovation activities, including analysis, reporting, and dissemination of results, must be completed within six (6) months from the date of approval and signing of the grant agreement.
6. How to apply
Applicants are required to complete the online application form which can be accessed on the NEMA website.
No Physical delivery of applications shall be accepted.
The submission deadline is Friday 23rd October, 2026.
NOTE: Any form of falsification, or lobbying will lead to automatic disqualification or cancellation of the Grant Award.
