Call for Applications: Youth Researchers Academy 2025/2026 – Generate for Impact in Zambia

Apply now for the Youth Researchers Academy 2025/2026 by the National Health Research Authority (NHRA), a fully funded six-month hybrid program aimed at building the next generation of SRHR research leaders in Zambia. Deadline: 15 November 2025.

About the Youth Researchers Academy 2025/2026

The National Health Research Authority (NHRA), in collaboration with the Regional SRHR Fund under Hivos Southern Africa and with support from the Government of Sweden, has launched the Youth Researchers Academy 2025/2026.
This fully funded program seeks to empower young Zambians to become leading voices in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) research and advocacy.

Under the theme Generate for Impact: Building the Next Generation of SRHR Research Leaders in Zambia, the Youth Researchers Academy 2025/2026 offers a six-month hybrid learning experience that blends academic training, mentorship, and hands-on research practice. The program’s main objective is to equip participants with the ability to produce and use scientific evidence to drive policy change and social transformation in the field of SRHR.

Program Overview

The Youth Researchers Academy 2025/2026 is part of the Generate for Impact project, a national initiative dedicated to strengthening youth-led research capacity. The Academy adopts a hybrid format, combining online learning with in-person workshops and mentorship sessions in Lusaka. This flexible approach allows both students and young professionals to participate while continuing their current engagements.

Participants will acquire practical research skills in data collection, analysis, and dissemination, along with leadership and communication techniques to influence SRHR policies and programs at different levels. The program will run for six months, culminating in the opportunity to present research findings at the 12th Zambia Health Research Conference.

What Participants Will Gain

The Youth Researchers Academy 2025/2026 provides an intensive training and mentoring experience designed to help young researchers grow into confident and effective leaders.

Key Benefits:

• Expert Mentorship: Participants receive one-on-one guidance from experienced researchers throughout the research cycle.

• Practical Experience: Each participant will be part of a research team conducting a real-world study.

• Leadership Development: The Academy trains participants to become future trainers and advocates for evidence-based SRHR solutions.

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with youth researchers, policy experts, and decision-makers at both national and regional levels.

• Contribution to Change: Graduates use their research to promote more effective SRHR services and policies across Zambia.

Successful participants will also have the opportunity to showcase their research work at national platforms, further strengthening their professional visibility and credibility.

Research Focus Areas for 2025/2026

The Youth Researchers Academy 2025/2026 invites innovative research proposals within key SRHR priority areas such as:

• Mental Health and SRHR

• Contraception and SRHR

• HIV and SRHR

• Drug Abuse and SRHR

• Innovative Ideas in SRHR

These themes reflect Zambia’s growing commitment to advancing adolescent and youth health through evidence-based interventions and policy engagement.

Eligibility Criteria

The program is open to motivated young professionals and students who are passionate about contributing to SRHR research and development. Applicants must:

• Be a Zambian national aged 18–30 years.

• Hold a diploma or degree in Public Health, Demography, Social Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Data Science, or any related discipline.

• Be a recent graduate (within two years) or a final-year student in the above fields.

• Be affiliated with a youth-led or youth-serving SRHR organization, or employed in a relevant sector and able to commit to the hybrid schedule.

• Demonstrate a strong interest in adolescent and youth SRHR.

• Be willing to participate fully in the six-month program, including both online and physical sessions in Lusaka.

Previous research experience is not mandatory but will be considered an advantage.

Program Details and Application Process

Application Deadline: 15 November 2025, 23:59 CAT
Apply Here: https://lnkd.in/dCBt5GZe

All applications must be addressed to the Director and CEO, National Health Research Authority (NHRA).
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

For inquiries, contact the program team at [email protected].

About the National Health Research Authority (NHRA)

The National Health Research Authority is Zambia’s statutory body responsible for coordinating and regulating health research. Established to ensure the use of scientific evidence in policymaking, the NHRA leads national efforts to promote innovation, ethics, and knowledge sharing in the health sector.

Through initiatives like the Youth Researchers Academy 2025/2026, NHRA aims to empower youth with the capacity to address public health challenges, strengthen community-based research, and advance the country’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For more information about NHRA programs and current research initiatives, visit the official website: https://www.nhra.org.zm/.

Why Apply

Participating in the Youth Researchers Academy 2025/2026 offers a unique opportunity to develop professional expertise while contributing to social transformation.
The program helps participants:

• Build technical and analytical skills in SRHR research.

• Strengthen their leadership potential and professional network.

• Contribute to policy and advocacy for youth-friendly health services.

• Become part of a national community of young researchers driving innovation in Zambia.

This initiative supports the long-term goal of fostering a research culture that values evidence, collaboration, and youth participation.

Conclusion

The Youth Researchers Academy 2025/2026 represents a strategic investment in the future of SRHR research and leadership in Zambia. By combining mentorship, fieldwork, and capacity development, the program nurtures a new generation of young professionals who will influence positive change in health systems and policies.

Deadline: 15 November 2025, 23:59 CAT

Apply Now: https://lnkd.in/dCBt5GZe

For more international career opportunities, visit Opportunities For Youth.

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